Oppiliappan Temple

Mahavishnu's wife and an aspect of Lakshmi, named Bhumadevi, are always wearing only the tulsi (basil) garland around their neck. 'Grant me that fortune,' she asked. Mahavishnu said to her, 'You were born as a sage's daughter in heaven; you will be born here under the name of Thulasi, grow up and come with this garland,' he said. At this time, the sixteen-year-old sage Markandeya wanted Mahalakshmi to be born as his daughter and he performed penance. Bhumadevi, an aspect of Lakshmi, saw a small girl below a basil plant. By her divine insight, she recognized that the girl symbolized Lakshmi's aspect, and she named her Tulasi. When marriageable age came, Thirumal went to a bride's house and asked for a girl. Markandeya did not agree. Furthermore, he didn't know how to cook properly without adding salt for his small daughter's diet. 'If you make my daughter your wife, I cannot agree,' he insisted. Thirumal realized the firmness of his penance, so he agreed to marry his daughter. Although there was no salt in the food, he said he would eat it. Recognizing Thirumal's divinity through his penance, Markandeya married his daughter. Since she did not add salt to her diet due to her divine vow, she received the name 'Upiliyappan' because she did not agree. She continuously wore a basil garland around her neck, so it is customary to offer a basil garland to the deity in all Perumal temples.