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During the reign of Abhisheka Pandian in Madurai, Lord Somasundara, the deity of Madurai, came down as a siddhapurusha and performed several lilas (divine plays).

The Lord who had now taken the form of a siddhapurusha, performed many miracles and astounded the people of the city. He would appear at the northern parts sometimes and disappear suddenly only to appear at the southern parts of the city! Sometimes, he would take up several forms and hence could be seen in more than one place at the same time. He would say “Come here” addressing a mountain. And lo! To the wonder of the spectators the mountain would come near him. He would then say, “Go away” and the mountain would go back to its place.

He could change a man into a woman, a child into an old man; mud into gold and vice versa in every case swifter than the blink of an eye! During his time, the city suffered from severe drought and the river Vaigai had completely dried up. By his mystic spell he caused the river to overflow and just as the people were jumping jubilantly at the sight of the flooding river, he caused the river to dry up again!

Thus the siddhapurusha displayed many such unseen and unspoken of miracles and amused the people of the city. Everyone who witnessed these miracles said, “This indeed is siddhi! This indeed is miracle!” Slowly the news about this siddhapurusha reached the ears of the King.

The King thought, “If such a great siddhapurusha has come to our city, then we will have to invite him to the palace and duly honor him. We can also amuse ourselves seeing his miracles.” Having made such a decision, the King sent some of his soldiers to invite the siddhapurusha to the court. Those who went were mesmerized by the baffling miracles performed by the siddhapurusha and so could neither communicate the message to him nor return to the Kingdom. Having waited for a long time now, the King sent a few others of his soldiers. The same thing happened again! Finally, the King sent his ministers. The ministers visited the siddhapurusha and told him, “The King of the city desires to see you at his court and honor you. He sent many soldiers earlier to invite you but none of them returned. So he has sent us, his ministers, to bring you to the court.”

Hearing the words of the ministers, the siddhapurusha laughed out aloud and said, “Why should I visit the King? Only those who desire wealth or who are afflicted with fear or who need favor from the King visit him. I need nothing nor do I fear anybody. So, if he wants to see me ask him to come here.”

The ministers carried the message of the siddhapurusha to the King. The King contemplated over the words of the siddhapurusha and recognized the truth in it. So he decided to visit the siddhapurusha.

On the first day of the tamil month ‘thai’, the king went to the Temple of Meenakshi in Madurai. Generally, when the king arrives in a temple, heavy security arrangements will be made. The public will not be allowed inside the temple during that time. That day, Abhisheka Pandian was welcomed with a ‘Poornakumbha’ and receiving him with due honor and respect, the officials in the temple took him to the sanctum sanctorum of the deities.

After having darshan of all deities, the king was going round the temple when he saw some of his attendants talking to someone. He asked his attendants “To whom are you talking?” The attendants replied “ This is the siddhar who is astounding the whole of Madurai with his miracles”

The king asked the siddhar-“ What do you want?” The siddhar replied-“What do I want! I don’t have any wants! You tell me what you want! I can give you anything you desire for! I am from Kasi. I am visiting all the holy places related to Lord Shiva to worship him. In this state of Madurai, which is capable of giving liberation while still in this world and capable of giving Shivapadam (Feet of Lord Shiva) after death, I am performing several miracles to amuse the people here. I do not have any needs and there is nothing that I can’t do.”

The king thought to himself-“I must ask this siddhar to do some impossible and difficult miracle. In case he is able to do that, I too can enjoy watching that.” At that time, a boy was passing that way carrying bundles of sugarcane. In Madurai temple, around the ‘swamimandap’ there are several sculptures of elephants. Seeing this the king told the siddhar-“You said nothing is impossible for you! Didn't you? Can you feed these stone elephants with sugarcane?”

The siddahapurusha laughed and asked the king to get the sugarcanes from the boy and hold them in his hands. Then looking at the statue of the elephant, he made signs with his hand beckoning it. To the astonishment of the spectators the elephant did march out from the pillar making all kinds of noises that elephants would typically make! It took the sugarcanes from the hands of the King and ate them all in one gulp. Seeing this the king was spell bound! After eating the sugarcanes, the elephant extended its trunk once more and finding nothing, pulled the garland from the king’s neck. The king got annoyed and for a moment losing his composure ordered his soldiers “ Kill this siddhapurusha immediately!”

Those soldiers who raised their hands to hit the siddhar were immediately transformed into stones. The king realized his mistake and fell at the feet of the siddhar and sought apology. Then with all humility he told the siddhar-“ I want one boon from you.” The siddhar asked -“What is it? You can get anything from me.” The king replied-“ I am not blessed with progeny. I have done many sacrifices for this sake and have visited all the temples, but in vain. You must bless me with a child.” Listening to this prayer of the king, the siddhar blessed-“So be it!” The child that was born later to the king by the grace of this siddhar was the famous Vikrama Pandian.

The siddhar vanished immediately after blessing the king. He was searched for in several places but no one could find him. Only later did they realize that the siddhar was none other than Lord Somasundara. The king standing before the altar of the Lord said “Oh Lord! Your compassion is boundless! I came to hit you but you poured your grace even on a person like me!” Saying thus, he thanked God. Abhisheka Pandian ruled over Madurai for several years and later attained ‘Shivapadam’(the Lotus Feet of Lord Siva).

Even today, the siddhar sannidhi can be seen in Madurai Meenakshi temple. It is believed that The prayers of those who offer “PooPandal” in this sannidhi are answered.

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