The history of Vishnumaya begins such that.... Once, Lord Siva and Sri Parvathy, came to earth. During his snana, holy bath, in a river in kulikunnan forest , Lord Siva, happened to meet a tribal girl , koolivaka. She was an extremely beautiful girl. Seeing her immense and aphrodisiac beauty, Lord Siva soon developed an infatuation. Sri Parvathi, wife of Lord Siva, came to know about his infatuation. Parvathi transformed herself in the form of koolivaka. A child with divine power was born through this holy union. Sri Parvathi gave this child to koolivaka to bring him up. Lord Siva and Sri Parvathi blessed this child. The purpose behind all these happenings was the havoc of Demon Bringhasura, who was a menace to all living beings, especially the Devas. Later, this child killed the demon Bringhasura, at the age of seven.
This Child was, later known as Bhagavan Sri Chathan Swami.
Once, Chathan Swami travelled to Sri Kailasa. A buffalo was his conveyance. When Swami arrived kailasa, he changed his appearance as Lord Vishnu, with weapons Shanka, Chakra, Gadha and Lotus. Lord Siva well pleased and hugged his son. Lord Siva blessed him "You will be known as Vishnumaya". After this incident, Chathan Swami also known as Vishnumaya.
