Route :
Day 1 - Chennai - Myladuthurai - ThiruIndalur - Kozhikuthi - Muvalur - KShethrapalapuram - Myladuthurai
Day 2 - Myladuthurai - Ethirkolpodi - Thiruthuruthi - Thiruvidaimaruthur - Thirumangalakudi - Veppathur - Chennai
Sri Mayuranathar temple
Temple timings : 5.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m
Phone : +91- 4364 -222 345, 223 779, 93451 49412 ,223 207
Lord Aadhi Mayuranathar graces from a separate shrine in the prakara. The Presiding deity Lord Mayuranathar graces from a separate sannidhi as Shivalinga, Mother Ambica appears as a peacock worshipping the Lord. Lord Muruga is glorified by Arunagiriar and during the Sashti festival in Shiva temples, Lord Muruga receives His Vel weapon from the Lord which is normally from the mother in other temples. Here, He receives it from Lord Shiva. The Gouri Thandavam performance of Lord is celebrated as Mayura Thandavam. The first pooja of the evening goes to Lord Nataraja.. Mayilamman shrine is opposite to Nataraja shrine where both Lord and Mother offer their divine grace in the form of a peacock.
Above the Lord Dakshinamurthy in the goshta wall, there are two peacocks and two Monkeys in the banyan tree. There is also a Nandhi.
Nadha Sharma who was lame and his wife Anavidyambikai could not come to this place for the Cauvery bath-Thula Snanam before the expiry of the 30 days time (Aipasi month-October-November). Disappointed they sadly stayed the night worshipping Lord Shiva who in their dream advised them to have the bath before sunrise and that they would have full benefit of the Tula Snanam bath. Following this tradition, , the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month. As Lord Shive froze the bath time for the couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku. Mudavan means Differently abled (Lame) and Muzhukku is bath. The couple the merged with the Lord.
Here the Lingam faces west. The Linga with which his wife Anavidyambikai merged is at right of the Ambica shrine which is dressed with only Red sari indicating the oneness of male and female. Lord Dakshinamurthi appears slightly leaning to a side with His legs folded.
Mother Aadi Poora Ambal graces in the Veera Shakti form & praised as Abhayambikai. She is also brought in procession to the banks of Cauvery on Aadi Pooram day and Fridays of the month covering July-August.
Lord Vinayaka appearing from a sandal tree is praised as Agasthya Sandana Vinayaka – Sandanam-Sandal.
Tula Snanam: It is said that Lord Shiva blessed Nandhi by destroying its pride who is in the midst of Cauvery. It is practice to take a dip in the river during the Aipasi month (October-November) and the first day of following Karthikai month. The Lord visits Cauvery everyday during this period of 31 days. Puranam’s say that Ganga had Her sins cleansed with a dip in Cauvery. This day is Aipasi new moon day-Deepavali. A bath in Cauvery on this day absolves the devotee of all his/her past sins.
Planet Saturn in the Navagraha shrine appears as Jwala Saturn signifying Agni on his head. There is also a Saturn of normal form with his crow vahanam by the side facing north performing Shiva puja which is a rare scene. Those facing adverse aspect of this planet offer prayers here.
There are five prakaras in the temple. At the side of Lord Nataraja’s Patham is Juradeva. Mother Durga graces with demon Mahisha at Her feet and also with demon each on both sides which is a rare form of Durga. Chandikeswara and Tejas Chandikeswara, shrine. Lord Mahavishnu worshipping Lord Shiva, Ashta Lakshmis and Sattainahar are also seen. Kudhambai Chithar who attained salvation her has a shrine.. People pray to Kanakkadi Vinayaka to take care of their accounts.
Daksha conducted a yajna but intentionally did not invite Lord Shiva to humiliate Him. Lord Shiva did not want Parvathi, who was Daksha’s daughter, to attend the yajna. Yet, with a view to correct Her father and also due to the affection for him, Parvathi attended the function but was humiliated by Daksha who was destroyed along with the yagna by the Veerabadra form of Lord Shiva. Since a peacock used for the rituals sought asylum of Mother Parvathi and as ignored the Lord’s advice, was cursed to become a peacock. She, as a peacock, came to this place and performed severe penance to get back Her Lord. Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before here as a Peacock Himself and danced as a peacock – Mayura Thandavam and hence he is Mayuranathar. . Mother was restored to Her original form. .
Sri Parimala Ranganathar temple, Thiruindalur
Timings : 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 91- 436 4223330
Parimala Ranganathar Perumal Temples or Tiruindaloor is one of the Divya Desams in Myladurthurai is located near Kaver. With Adhiseshan on top, Lord Parimala Rangan is seen in a dozing appearance with 4 hands with Goddess Cauvery on right side of his head. Chandran prayed that this place be called Indhalur after him. It is Lord’s desire that there should be five Ranganathars (Pancharangams) on th bank of river cauvery the others being Serirangapatna (Karnataka), Srirangam, Koyiladi near trichy and Kumbhakonam. Srirangam is Aadhi Arangam, Kumbakonam is Madhya Arangam and this place is Andhiya Arangam with Lord Ranganathar in Sleeping Posture facing east.
Lord Parimala Rangan blocked the entrance when Thiru Mangai Alwar desired his darshan, thinking that he was late. Thiru Mangai Alwar argued that the world will look at the Lord in a good way for shutting away his devotee. The Lord brushes away this and does not relent. A down and out and frustrated. Thiru Mangai Azhvaar then determines to leave without darshan. Lord Parimala Rangan sensing that the alwat might leave without singing praise of hime decides to relent. Alwar also succumbs to it and creates 10 Paasurams.
Perumal is in Veera Sayanam posture, loaded with aroma (Parimalam) and hence called as Parimala Rangan. It is unique that to glorify Cauvery, she was his bed at Srirangam, his mom at Thirucherai and over his head here. She has given the status similar to Ganga as on the head of Lord Shiva.
He is called a Brahmin by Alwar since he changed the position of Cauvery and Lord Chandra, into a devout state. While the Vedas guide for a noble life, Sun and Moon Gods deliver prosperity. Hence the vimaana is known as Veda Chakra Vimaanam. The temple has its five level Rajagopuram. Chandran got relief after a shower in the spring. With Mother Cauvery on His head side, Mother Ganga His feet, we find Yama and Ambarishan also at His feet. Mother Cauvery is considered superior here than Mother Ganga.
The temple talks the significance of fasting on Ekadas and spending the entire day without a drop of water and focus only on God. Once a King named Ambarishan was in the process of completing the 100th Ekadasi – Dwadasi. for ruler Ambarisha. His subjects were very happy and celebrations were planned.
As usual, the Devas were scared of Ambarisha reaching an exalted status through this fasting. In order to negate his efforts, they approached Durvasa who likes to test people. When the King had completes the Ekadasi fasting, he has to have his food before the specified time. So He visited the King who was happy to receive him. The sage informed him that he will be back after his snanam and then they can eat together. His intention was to make the King miss the appointed time. He consulted learned men in his court who advised that if he takes a few drops of water, it would mean that finished the fasting all together. The king di the same was waited for the sage. Coming to know of this, Durvasa created a demon who chased the king to kill him and Ambarisha found refuge at the Lord’s feet. One look by the Lord made the ghost vanish and Sage durvasa to learn his folly and seek the Lord’s pardon.
When the Lord offered him a boon for completing 100 Ekadasi fastings, king Ambarisha The king with all earnestness requested that Lord should stay at this place and bless the devotees. Perumal acceded to his request and blesses his devotes here as Parimala Ranganathar.
Once Chandran fell in love with Deva guru Brihaspati’s wife Tara and eloped with her. Brihaspati sought the help of Brahma who asked Tara to return to her husband. Later, when it was found that Tara was pregnant, a furious Brihaspati cursed Chandra to become deformed. One should realise that the biggest sin of life is to caste one’s eyes on another’s spouse and hence Chandran was fittingly made to undergo the full severity of the curse for having cast his eyes wrongfully on another's wife.
Dakshan was so taken in by Chandran’s handsome features that he decided to make him the suitor for his 27daughters. Chandran was interested only Rohini and ignored the other daughters. .Dakshan realised that his looks made Chandran arrogant and cursed him who lost all his attractive features.
As per the parikara advised by Brihaspati for all his misdeeds, Chandra bathed in the theertham here, undertook penance to seek Lord’s blessings. Lord appeared before him and agreed to liberate him from part of the sins. Chandran (another name of Chandran is Indhu) then requested that this place be called Indhalur.
Sri Vanamutti perumal temple – Kozhikuthi temple
Temple timings: 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4364223395, 9842423395, 9787213226
When one worships Van Mutti Perumal at Kozhikuthi, you are blessed with the triple benefit of the darshan and blessings of Lord Venkateswara in Tirupati, Lord Athi Varadaraja in Kancheepuram and Lord Yoga Narasimha in Sholingar.
Temple is around 800 years old. King Sarfoji of Thanjavur once prayed to Lord for relief from Yuddha dosha. He was graned Darshan in Athi tree. The king desired that the benefit of the darshan should go to all and made the idol of this tree wood scaling 15 feet.
Lord appears majestic in standing position with His discus & conch, Mother Mahalakshmi on His chest and the Abhaya Hastha hand - promising boons to devotees. As the idol is tall, He is aptly called Van-Sky, Mutti-Hitting, Perumal – Van Mutti Perumal. Since the idol is of wood, No abhishekam but only Thaila Kappu is done.
Mother Mahalakshmi graces the devotees with Sapthaswara Anjaneya producing seven musical sounds from the bell tied to his tail and placed on his head. Those facing Saturn effects will be benefited by worshipping Anjaneya. During puja, Verses by Pippala Maharishi is chanted.
King Nirmalan was suffering from leprosy. While passing through a forest, he saw a sage playing veena and sought his blessings for relif who thenl Rishi taught a mantra and advised him to chant it daily.
When The king began the chanting, he heard Lord Vishnu’s voice say that he has a dosha and he should do a pilgrimage of the banks of Cauvery, Moovalur Lord Marga Sahayeswarar (Lord Shiva) will guide him. He should also bathe in all the holy places on the way and stop and stay at the place where the body turns gold in colour”.
The king stopped the journey at the place as directed by the voice. He was free of the disease and prayed to Perumal expressing gratitude. A tall Athi tree appeared from where Perumal granted darshan. The place came to be known as Koti Hathi meaning the place freeing the devotee from crores of doshas which changed to Kozhi Kuthi. The king, sought refuge in Lord, began penance and later became Pippala Maharshi.
Sri Margasahayeswarar Temple, Moovalur
Temple timings : 8.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon 5.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 91-4369 270197/ 270662
Moovalur, on the southern banks of is one of the sacred sthalam, once filled with Punnai trees and called "Punnagavana Kshetram". The deity is hence called Punnagavaneswarar of Margasahayeswaraswamy and divine consort is Soundaranayaki Amman. Constructed by Chola Kings the templeis approx 1.5 acres with two prakarams and a tall Rajagopuram with four sacred Theerthams i.e. Cauvery, Chandra Pushkarani, Durga Pushkarani and Upamanyu Koopam. A dip in the Cauvery at this place is believed to cure one of any physical malady. Several inscriptions found engraved on the walls of the temple and its Gopuram belonging to various dynasties. There is a wooden car and a silver Rishaba Vahanam for the temple. Lord here was worshipped by Saptha Mathar and the shrines for them have been installed in this temple to the west of the shrine of the Goddess. Once upon a time there was a formidable demon with the head of a buffalo. "Mahisha Suran" as he was called, did severe penance and Mahisha suran, the demon with buffalo head once obtained a boon form Lord Siva that he would not die from the hands of a male. He became arrogant and started Gods and mortals. The Gods approached Mahavishunu for safety who directed them to seek the help of Sakthi. Goddess Parvathi took the form of Durga and after a fierce battle, she destroyed the demon with the Soolayudham (spear) given by from Lord Siva.
Durga then prayed to Lord Siva that she should regain her original form who directed her offer worship the Lingam in Moovalur. He also created a tank of holy water. Durga Devi regained her original form. Lord married Durga Devi in this place after transforming her into a beautiful woman. This incident is commemorated now with a marriage festival which is conducted in this place in month of Panguni. The Lingam is Swayambu.
Once upon a time three demons- Vidhumali, Tharakakshan and Kamalakshan were harassing Gods and people due to the powers acquired by them. The Devas sought protection from Lord Siva who waged a war and killed them and this battle came to be known as ‘Thripura Samharam’. After this, the Gods boasted that they eliminated the Asuras. To teach them a lesson, the Lord Parameswara reduced all the Gods except Thirumal and Brahma to ashes. Thirumal and Brahma then prayed to Lord Parameswara to pardon them and bring them back to life who advised them to worship the Lingam under the Punnai Tree in Moovalur. When Thirumal and Brahma, Parameswara showed the Lingamurthy and also taught them the form of worship by doing it himself followed Lord Thirumal and Brahma. As the Lingamurthy at this place was worshipped by 3 Moorthis, the place became ‘Moovarar’ which subsequently changed into ‘Moovalur’. Vazhikattum Vallal is the namakaranam of the Lord here (the Lord who showed the way).
Kshetrapalapuram Bhairavar temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 91-4369 270197/ 270662
Bairavar appears to be ugra swaroopa but, in this place since he got rid of his Brahma hathi dosha, he is seen in a happy state of mood. This is the only place where a separate temple for Bairavar. This small temple with a well facing west, also has Swetha Vinayakar. Bairavar gives darshan with Kapalam, Soolam, Pasam and damarukam in his four hands with Nandi facing him..
Once Brahma thought he is equal to Lord Siva since he had five heads like him and started abusing Lord Siva. Lord asked Rudhra to remove the fifth head of Brahma, took the form of Bairavar and carried out the order. Brahma realized his mistake.
This act rendered Biravar with Brahmahathi dosha who prayed to Lord Siva to help him get rid of his dosha. Lord Siva told him to go to Bhoolokam and seek Biksha there. In doing so, Bairavar reached the place Thiruvalanchuzhi and got rid of his dosha. whene he worshiped Swetha Vinayakar he was asked Bairavar to throw the soolam to eastern side and asked him to stay where thes soolam fell, and bless mankind. The place where soolam fell was known as Kshetra Balapuram and Kala Bairavar became Kshetra Balakar here. Kala Bhairavar is standing without His usual Dog Vahana and looks very handsome. There is only Kala Bhairavar in this temple and is known to bless for wedding and child boons and hence lot of devotees visit this temple for 9 weeks to realise their prayers
Sri Iyravatheswarar temple, Ethirkolpadi
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4364-235 487.
Once Sage Durvasa offered Indira the graland offered to Lord Shiva in puja which he arrogantly neglected and threw at Iravadham. The elephant then stamped the garland by flinging it on the floor. Angered, the Sage cursed Indira that his head would be chopped off by a weapon wielded by a Pandya king. Indira sought the pardon of the sage who said his crown would fall down saving his head.
Iravadham came to earth and wandered in many places worshipping Lord Shiva and was finally relieved off the curse here. Hence the Lord is praised as Iravada Easwarar. Mother is Sugantha Kundalambika and Malar Kuzhal Nayaki in Tamil. Indira back his position.
Since Iravadham worshipped here, the sanctum sanctorum is gigantic so that an elephant can enter in it. People organize wedding receptions in this temple hoping that the couple remain e close to each other as Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi.
Sage Bharatha was the head priest who conducted the wedding of Lord and Mother at Tiruvelvikudi. He invited them to his place Tirumananjeri and arranged a grand reception to the divine couple and welcomed (Ethir Kollal in Tamil) the divine couple with due honours. Hence, the place is named as Ethirkol Padi. It is also known as Melakoil.
Uthavedeeswarar Thiruthuruthi Shiva temple
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4364-235 225, 94878 83800
Rudrasanma, a devotee, was proceeding to Kasi for salvation. Lord Shiva in order to make him understand the greatness of the place, called Gundodhara to stop his journey by taking the form of a serpent. Rudrasanma chanted the Garuda mantra and Gundodhara had wot withdraw. Lord Shiva came their as a snake charmer and Rudrasanma realised and prostrated before the Lord. Lord told the devotee that this place is divine as Kasi and his wish can be realized from this place.
Since Lord Shiva’s wedding took place here, Praying here will remove all obstacle in wedding proposals. Agni the God of Fire had a grievance that whatever he touched got destroyed. He prayed to Lord and became a useful energy to people.
Sage Bharatha wanted Mother Parvathi to be born his daughter and performed intense penance. Lord made Her born to the sage from Firet – Homa Gunda. She grew and attained the marriageable age.
Her sole desire was to marry Lord Shiva. She then performed penance on the banks of Cauvery by making a sand Linga. Besides She also found a Shivalinga there making her happy that the Lord Shiva has accepted Her prayer. Lord appeared from the Linga and took Parvathi by hand when the Mother requested the Lord to take the consent of Her parents. Lord too was happy at the suggestion.
Lord sent Nandhi to Parvathy’s parents according to the custom and they willingingly accepted. The day too was fixed and. Lord came to this place on His Nandhi the bull vehicle accompanied by the Uddhala tree to give shadow on the way. Lord in Kuthalam took mother’s hand in marriage. Remembering the event, Lord Shiva left His sandals (padukas) and the tree.
Thirukkoteeswarar, Thirukodikaval temple
Temple timings: 6.00 a.m. to 12.00a.m. 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone +91-0435 - 2450 595, +91-94866 70043,
The Shivalinga was found under castor nuts (nut in Tamil means Kottai), hence named Kottayur. Sage Markandeya worshipped the Lord here. Known for betterment in education and achievement in sports.
Lord gave darshan to Sage Badri Yogi in 10 million Vinayaka form, Mother-Goddesses form, Lord Muruga form – each and came to be known as Koteeswarar. The nut symbols are visible on the Linga.
Mother Pandhadu Nayaki is seen tossing a ball under Her feet, indicating that she would toss the sufferings of Her devotees as that of a ball. Spilling the water of the holy spring – Amudhakinaru – ensures total purity of mind and body and ensures good education and good traits..
It is believed that those who place their feet in Kottayur will turn to Kattai (dead) meaning that sinners cannot enter this place. If they do so, their sins multiply multifold. Similarly The benefits of good deeds also multiplies.
As many sinners and wicked people refrain from coming to the temple, Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki is believed to assured protection by tossing their sins as a ball and also making them reform. Many people come here seeking pardon of the Goddess for their sins of past and lead a righteous life.
Satyarathi was the ruler of Tirihartha kingdom whose son Suruchi incurred a curse and became disfigured as a devil scaring anyone to come near. He worshipped Lord Shiva and was advised to go to Kottayur to have a bath in the holy spring. He became handsome. Many women follow this ritual to become beautiful.
Sri Prananatheswarar temple, Thirumangalakudi
Temple timings : 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : +91-435 - 247 0480.
While entering Lord Shiva shrine, Mothers Mahalakshmi and Saraswati (without Veena in hands) are seen on either side as Dwarapalakis in Padmasana style. There are two Natarajas in the Prakara with Mother Sivakami. Boodha Gana plays a musical instrument under the feet of the Nataraja near the main Nataraja. The two theerthas in Prana Natheswarar temple in the prakara are called Surya and Chandra theerthas. The two planets are considered the two eyes of Lord Shiva in the Theertha-Spring form to cool their Lord. Abishekam Water for the Lord comes from these springs. Mother Vishnu Durga is in the Shiva goshta and the Shiva Durga is behind the Somaskanda shrine. Mahishasura the demon is not seen.
On the 18th day of Aadi Tamil month – July-August special pujas are done to Cauvery who is an idol form. Lords Vishnu, Brahmma, Mothers Kali,Ambica, Bhooma Devi, Sage Agasthya and Sun God had worshipped in this temple. Lord Muruga is praised as Shanmuga. The temple was renovated by Kulothunga Chola and currenlty under the management of Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam.
The temple is praised as Pancha Mangala Kshetra and considered auspicious for the following reaons
1) The name of the place is Tiru Mangala Kudi,
2) name of the Mother is Mangalambica,
3) the sacred spring is Mangala Theertham,
4) The Vimana is called Mangala Vimana and
5) Lord Vinayaka is praised as Mangala Vinayaka, .
The Navagrahas in the temple help prevent a disease to befall on Kalama Muni. This angered Brahmma who cursed planets with that disease. They performed penance on the Swayambu Linga Shiva here and got rid of the curse. It is unique that Lord Shiva here cured the disease of the planets themselves who have a control over the lives of humans.
The Bana of the Linga is taller than the Avudayar in this temple. Sage Agasthya, short in stature, offered flowers to Lord raising his hands over the Linga.
No Navagraha shrine in the temple. A separate temple exists for the planets in Suriyanar Kovil in the northeast direction of the temple. It is to be noted that a single temple is constructed as twin temple.
It is a practice that those visiting Suryanar Koil for relief should visit Prana Natheswarar temple first and then proceed for the Navagraha temple. The Navagrahas offered Curd Rice Nivedhana without salt on a Vellerukku leaf to Lord. Hence curd rice nivedhana without salt is offered during the midday puja in the temple. Those failing in the annual ritual for their forefathers offer this nivedhana to Lord.
There is a Maragatha-emerald Linga in Nataraja shrine. Daily midday abishek is offered to this Linga with milk, rosewater, honey and sandal through a Valampuri Sangu. This Prasad is believed to be an effective treatment for diseases. Plantain fruits, betel nut nivedhana is also seen here.
Mother Mangalambika blesses the devotees from Her own shrine and the temple is known after Her name. The Mangal Sutra thread in the hand of Ambica is offered as Prasad to women awaiting marriage ensuring a good match. Women wear these threads and leave the used-old threads at Her feet. This ensures an auspicious married life to women till the end.
During Navarathri festival, Ambica procession deity in the sanctum sanctorum is decorated with different Alankaras. She is dressed with sandal paste only without ornaments and vastras while the sandal paste is prepared in different colours are shown as vastra and jewels. This is an exhilarating Darshan. This Alankara is followed on the second Sunday of Thai month-January-February and devotees can arrange for the same.
Alaivanar, a minister of King Kulothunga Chola built this temple without the sanction of the king using the revenues of the state. Angered, the king ordered to behead the minister for his act who had already instructed his men to take him to Tirumangalakudi for cremation. His wife fell at the feet of Mother Mangalambica and begged for her husband’s life and longevity of her mangal sutra. When a voice was heard that her prayer would be responded, The minister woke up alive and healthy. He rushed to Lord, embraced Him crying Jeevadhayaka and the Lord Prana Natheswara is also as worshipped as Jeevadhayaka.
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal,Veppathur
Timings : 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Phone : 91 4177 254 929, 94868 77896, 94861 39289
This Venkatachalapathy temple was constructed by Maharaja Sarabhoji on the request of his queen wife right across her harem. Perumal is more than 6 feet in height. The priest family are living close by to take care of the services.
Of the 27 stars, only 2 have the prefix Tiru meaning auspicious namely, Tiru Onam attributed to Perumal and Tiru Adhirai to Lord Shiva. Once when the beauty and luster of Chandra the Moon began to diminish due to a curse, One of his wives, the deity of Tiruvonam star performed intense penance on Perumal who was pleased with her penance, appeared before her on a Tiruvonam star day and relieved Moon of his curse. This shrine is hence important for the Tiruvonam star.
Tiruvonam star born are advised to visit and worship in this temple on the star days, Rohini and Hastham star days and on the third day from the New Moon day called Moondram Pirai and perform abishek and archanas to Perumal to gain wisdom. The standing form of Lord Perumal on the Avudayar of Shivalinga symbolizes the oneness of Shiva-Vishnu worship. Hence, Pradosham also is observed in this temple.
Of the 108 Divya Desas – holy places connected with Vishnu worship, Tiruparkadal cannot be reached with human body as it is not on earth. To make up this loss, the worship in this temple gives the devotee the gift of Tiruparkadal darshan, the 107th Vishnu Divyadesa. There is no Sorgavasal but instead, there are three entrances through which Perumal can be worshipped directly at the sanctum itself on the Vaikunda Ekadasi day. This is a rare structure found in the temple.
Maharshi Pundarika once took up a pilgrimage to Vishnu temples. In this temple at Narayana Chaturvedhi Mangalam, he could only see Shiva in the sanctum and retreated regretting the mistake. Then an aged person intercepted and advised that what he saw was the shrine of Lord Vishnu which Rishi did not accept. Rishi was then taken by him to the sanctum and stood on the Avudayar as Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and made him realise that Shiva-Vishnu were one and not different from each other. The Lord also told since the Rishi cannot worship Vishnu in Tiruparkadal, the darshan was offered to him here. As the Lord offered his ‘Prasanna’ – darshan, the Lord is praised as Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal.
Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Veetrirundha Perumal Temple dedicated to God Vishnu is a Hindu temple built by stone and constructed in about 850 AD by the Pallavas and was later renovated by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola and by Krishna Devaraya in 1520. The temple renovation was done on top of the older brick temple and remains constitute one of the two oldest surviving Hindu temples of the pre-Pallava period, the other being the Subrahmanya temple at Saluvankuppam.
Veppathur had been a seat of learning for about 2,000 years. Vembathur Kannan Koothan and Vembathur Kumaran, two great poets of the Tamil Sangam age belonged to Veppathur. During the Tamil Sangam age, it was called Vembattrur.
Veetrirundha Perumal temple is estimated to have been built around 850 CE during the time Nandivarman III. Brahmins were settled in a part of Veppathur and the area was called a “Avani Narana Chaturvedi Mangalam” and the temple was named Avani Narana Vinnagar.. It was during the rule of Nandivarman III that on the walls and the presiding deity was a stucco figure.
Raja Raja Chola made murtis of the presiding deity of Veetrirundha Perumal, and his two consorts, Nilamangai and Thirumangai in granite and consecrated in the sanctum. The frescoes of the Chola period were painted over the Pallava murals during the rule of Raja Raja Chola which was replaced during during the rule of Krishnadevaraya by fresh murals
The idol of Lord Vishnu is in ground floor.. Normally the Lord’s darshan is in a standing or reclining posture but Veetrirundha Perumal in this temple is in a commanding sitting posture. It is believed that Lord Rama, on his travel to locate Sita took rest in this place with Neela Devi and Bhooma Devi offering solace with a palm fan. Hence here, Veetrirundha Perumal offers darshan with the two consorts, Neela Devi and Bhooma Devi on either side.
There are murals of three dynasties – the Pallava, the Chola and the Vijayanagara present here. Considering the bad maintenance they will soon fall apart and valuable history will be lost.
No comments:
Post a Comment