The Vaikunda Vasa Perumal Temple was constructed by Pallava King Aparajitha Varma around 905 AD, with inscriptions indicating his contributions. He also established a Utsava deity named Aparajitha, honored with daily Thirumanjanam. Later, in 961 AD, Rashtrakuta King Kannara Deva (Krishna III) oversaw significant renovations, as recorded in Tamil inscriptions on the South wall. Throughout history, various dynasties including the Cholas, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, and the Vijayanagara dynasty under Krishnadeva Raya, generously contributed to the temple's upkeep and development.
Puranic Significance 1 :
The Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal Temple in Nemili is steeped in rich legends that highlight its spiritual significance and divine grace.
Origin of Nemili (Nelmeli) : Sage Bhrigu and other sages performed penance in Puri, Orissa, seeking a vision of Lord Narayana in his full divine form with the Chakra, Shanka, and Gadayutham. Though the Lord appeared, it was not in the form they desired. He directed them to Kanchipuram, promising to grant their wish there. Upon arriving, the sages were overwhelmed by the many holy places in Kanchipuram and sought to know which was the most sacred. Brahma, upon their request, prayed to the Lord, who appeared in a sitting posture in Nemili. The Lord revealed that when the merit of Nemili was weighed against the merits of all other places, Nemili would outweigh them by the weight of a grain of paddy. Thus, the place came to be known as Nelmeli (paddy weight) or Nemili.
The Grain of Paddy Legend : Another legend speaks of a farmer who vowed to give a significant portion of his harvest to the Lord but was tempted by greed upon receiving a bumper yield. When he tried to take the entire stock home, the paddy on his threshing floor turned into stone pebbles, forming a hill. The farmer, realizing his mistake, prayed for forgiveness. The Lord, moved by his repentance, took a single grain of paddy as his share and returned the rest to the farmer. This act explains the unique posture of the Lord holding a grain between his fingers.
Eri Kaatha Vaikunta Vasa Perumal : A third legend recounts a time of heavy rains, when the village irrigation tank overflowed, threatening to breach its embankments. The villagers, fearing a disaster, prayed to the Lord for help. He intervened, preventing the breach by using his back to hold the embankment steady. Even today, the Moolavar idol is said to sweat profusely, and his garments are frequently changed as they become damp. For this reason, the Lord is also called Eri Kaatha Vaikunta Vasa Perumal (the Lord who saved the embankment).
Ramanuja’s Visit : The temple is also considered an Abhimana Sthalam as it is believed that Saint Ramanuja visited and stayed here during his journey from Sriperumbudur to Tirupati.
Restoration of the Temple : The temple fell into neglect over time but was rediscovered when the Anjaneyar of Nallattur appeared in the dream of a devotee and directed him to restore it. With the efforts of a dedicated committee and the support of the public, the temple was restored, and the Mahasamprokshanam was performed on June 2, 2002.
Lord’s Sitting Posture : According to another story, Sage Narada, feeling sorry for Lord Venkatachalapathy’s long-standing posture for yugas, requested the Lord to rest in a seated position. Out of compassion, the Lord granted Narada’s request, which is why the deity at Nemili is depicted in a sitting posture.
These legends underline the temple’s sanctity and make it a revered destination for devotees seeking the Lord’s grace.