In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu is a divine bird and the younger son of Aruna. His brother, Sampati, is a demi-god who has the form of an eagle and was an old friend of Dasharatha (Rama’s father).
The evil Ravana, King of the Demons, who had 10 heads and 20 arms, spied Rama’s beautiful wife Sita in the forest. He fell in love with her instantly. Ravana arranged for his servant Maricha to disguise himself as a golden deer and tempt Rama and Lakshman away from Sita. Lakshman drew a circle in the dust around Sita to protect her and told her not to step out of the circle.
But Ravana cleverly disguised himself as an old beggar man, and begged Sita for food and drink. Sita took pity on him and stepped out of the circle. The beggar man turned back into Ravana, catching Sita in his arms and pulling her into his magic flying chariot. Sita cried for help and a fierce bird Jatayu attacked Ravana in an effort to stop him. But Ravana cut off the bird’s wings with his sword. Sita threw her necklace to the ground, in the hope that Rama would save her.
After narrating about the Sita’s abduction to Sri Rama and Lakshmana,the wounded Jatayu dies.Sri Rama then performed the final funeral rites of Jatayu. At this place the Sri Rama is worshipped as the Vijayaraghava Perumal in the Vijayaraghava Perumal temple.The water body where Jatayu fell is called Jatayu Theertham. The same legend is also associated with Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple.
Picture Credit : Google