Sri Kalamega Perumal Temple

1. Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal temple is a very ancient place of worship of Lord Vishnu. 
2. It is also a well-known Divya Desam, a chosen abode of the Lord that has been glorified in the Divyaprabandham compositions of the Azhwar saints. 
3. It is located in Thirumohoor, near Madurai city, in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. 
4. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi, Thirumohoor Shri Kalamegaperumal Temple is one of the 108 revered Divya Desam temples. 
5. The temple is spread over an area of 2.5 acres and is known for its impressive Dravidian style of architecture. 
6. Since the temple was originally built by the Pandyas, one can also admire touches of the Pandian era on its walls. 
7. As per Hindu legend, the presiding deity is believed to have appeared as the divine enchantress Mohini to allure the asuras to support the devas, the celestial deities. 
8. The temple is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram.

PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 1:



1. Thirumohoor finds mention in many ancient scriptures like Matsya Purana and Brahmanda Purana. 
2. As per legends, demon Bhasmasura did severe penance and obtained a powerful boon from Shiva to the effect that if he places his hand on anyone's head, that person will immediately be reduced to ashes. 
3. But when Bhasmasura wanted to test the efficacy of his boon on Shiva himself, Shiva got confused and sought Vishnu's help to ward off the threat. 
4. With a view of diverting the demon's attention, Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a bewitching damsel, mesmerised him, made him dance with her, and ultimately forced him to touch his own head. 
5. And true to the boon, the Asura was turned into ashes. 
6. 'Moham' means allurement. As it was here that the demon was said to have been lured into destruction, this place came to be called Thiru Mohoor.
7. Also, the Devas, the celestials, and the Asuras, the demons, once churned the great ocean of milk to obtain Amrita, the elixir of immortality. 
8. But when it emerged from the ocean, Vishnu assumed the form of the enchanting Mohini, distracted the evil demons, and gave away the prized liquid to the virtuous celestials. 
9. This Puranic event, too, is said to have happened only in Thirumohoor.

PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 2:

1. According to another legend, there was a war between the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) before the churning of the Ocean of Milk for amrita (elixir of eternal life). The asuras were able to overpower the devas, and thus the devas sought Vishnu's help. 
2. During the Samudra Manthanam, Vishnu appeared as Mohini to lure the asuras and denied them the elixir, allowing the devas to gain the upper hand. 
3. It is believed that Thirumohur is the place of the event.