Darbhasayanam
or Pullaranyam was
a marshy land full
of grass. This is
in Ramanathapuram
district.
The Darbha grass
is considered very
holy in the Hindu
mythology. There
are a lot of legends
associated with
the origin of the
Darbha grass. It
is said that Darbha
grass is the strands
of hair washed away
by the sea from
the back of the
tortoise avatar
of  Lord
Vishnu during the
churning of the
holy nectar. Another
legend says that
a few drops of nectar
was dropped by Mohini
and fell on this
grass and hence
it is holy. Likewise
another legend says
that when the gods
were drinking this
holy nectar a few
drops fell into
this grass. The
name Darbhasayanam
however came into
being due to its
association with
Ramayana. Rama,
in his attempt to
bring his consort
Sita back from Lanka
was perplexed at
how to cross the
sea. He chose this
bed of Darbha grass
to conduct penance
for three days and
nights. Thus Sri
Adi Jagannatha appeared
before him and handed
him the weapon of
victory, the divya
chapa and blessed
him. The name Pullaranyam
came into being
due to Pula Mahirishi
who conducted strong
penance to save
the people from
the atrocities of
the demons who infested
here. Lord Vishnu
or Adi Jagannatha
appeared before
him and told him
that he would in
his subsequent avatar
as Sri Rama, destroy
the demons. Pula
Mahirishi requested
him to stay there
and bless his devotees
to which the lord
agreed and thus
the place became
famous as Pullaranya
Kshetram. The peepal
tree in Pullaranyam
is considered very
sacred.
Darbhasayanam in
Tiruppullaani is
situated near Rameswaram;
It is accessible
by rail and road.
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