On the birthday celebration
lord Indra was seated on an elephant called Airawat.Everyone was gifting
Indra with precious things like pearls,dimonds,gold etc.
Sage Durvas who was coming from a river-bath
saw the procession and wanted to gift Indra.Sage Durvas had no valuable
things with him cause Mata Laxmi was not in his favour due to his irate
nature.So Durvas gifted Indra some scented flowers wraped in a banana
leaf.
Annoyed Indra refused to accept such a
valueless gift and also insulted him.Sage Durvas,in anger cursed him that
soon he will loose all his wealth.In short period of time Indra lost all
his wealth and was unable to run his kingdom.This affected the routine of
all gods etc.
Immediately all the god-godesses ran to
Lord Vishnu who was resting on the serpent(SheshNaag) in the ocean, with
Mata Laxmi,the Godess of wealth.Everyone requested Mata Laxmi to forgive
Indra and bless him.
Lord Vishnu clarified to them that Sage
Durvas is the one who beleives in earning wealth by working hard.So you
all unite and churn the ocean to create Wealth(Laxmi).
Accordingly all
started the churning(Samudra Manthan)with the help of Mata Yeshoda and
snake Vasuki but there were many obtacles.As per the advise of Sage Narada
they started praying lord Ganesha by taking the white(Shweta)foam of water
in hands like an Ganesh Idol.
Sage Durvas was also convinced by now and
came to their help.Finally Indra was successful any creating the
Wealth(Laxmi) and first remembered Ganesha.
This shrine of ShwetaGanesh at
Tiruvalanchuli,on the banks of the river Kauveri.
