Sri Oppiliappan temple

The Sri Oppiliappan Temple is located in Thirunageswaram and is dedicated to God Oppilliappan. According to legend, Bhoomadevi, complained to Perumal that though She was equal to Goddess Mahalakshmi in every aspect, She still was not given the honour of being in God Perumal's chest. In answer to Her question, Perumal said that She would be given that place once she was born as the daughter of Markandeya, a sage and that She would be called Tiruthuzhai (Tulasi). When sage Markandeya saw Bhoomadevi as a little child, playing near a Tulsi plant, he adopted her and raised her as his own daughter. Once she had reached the right age, God Vishnu disguised Himself as an old man and asked Markendaya to give his daughter in marriage to Him. However, Markandeya denied the God's request, stating that his daughter was too young for him and that she did not even know the right amount of salt to add to food. The God said that he would eat the food even if there was no salt in it, when the sage realized that it was none other than God Vishnu Himself and agreed to give his daughter's hand in marriage. Since God Vishnu was ready to accept the food even without salt (Tamil-Uppu), He is known as Uppili Appan or Oppili Appan because there is no one equal to Him (Oppili - No equal). After this, Bhoomadevi stayed on the God's chest in he form of Tulsi malas that are placed over the God's neck.