DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 15thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
The
Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and
comes under Tondai naatu divyadesams in Kanchipuram. This is the only
divyadesam that is a bit far from other 14 divyadesams of Kanchipuram. The
presiding deity is Sri Vijayaraghava perumal in a sitting posture and thayar in
a seperate sannadhi is called Maragatavalli thayar. In this Shrine, the
presiding deity appears keeping Jatayu on his thigh. Whenever the Lord comes in
procession, equal importance is given to Jatayu also. As a mark of respect to
Jatayu, the flag post and Balipeeta are outside the temple.
In
Srimad Ramayanam - Maharishi Valmiki describes ‘Abduction of Goddess Sita Devi’
by the demon King Ravana. Lord Rama during his exile from his Kingdom Ayodhya
arrived in the woodlands with his borther Lakshman followed by Sita Devi in order
to keep the promise given to his father - King Dasaratha. While their stay in a
hermitage at Panchavati, Sita Devi was fascinated by a Golden Deer. Though the
Mother of the Universe was well aware of the fact that there is no golden deer
existed, she impelled Lord Rama to get the possession of the same. Lord Rama
continued to chase the deer far away woods, later Sita Devi could listens to
the cries for help of Lord Rama. She persuaded Lakshman to save Lord Rama from
the dangers. Lakshman was very confident about the skills of his brother,
refused to follow the words of Goddess Sita Devi. Sita Devi was totally
miserable and in a moment she was suspicious about Lakshman’s affection towards
her. Lakshman thoughtfully trying to reveal his intention to safeguard Sita
Devi from all the uncertainties and theirby keep up the promise given to his
brother. At last, Lakshman had to leave Goddess Sita alone in the hermitage.
Before leaving, Lakshman drew a line ‘Lakshman Rekha’ and instructed Goddess
Sita Devi not to cross the line at any circumstances. He left Sita Devi alone
and walked away heavy heartedly.
At
once, there appeared a saint asking for alms. Goddess Sita most willingly and
respectfully offered alms to the saint. But the saint refused to receive any alms
and instructed her to cross the line and give charity. Without any hesitation
Goddess Sita Devi followed the instructions of the holy man. Soon, the holy man
forcefully took the arms of Sita Devi and exposed his real form. Thus, Ravana
abducted Goddess Sita from her hermitage and carried her in his celestial
vehicle ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’ to Lanka. On their way, the King of Birds – Jatayu
appeared on the sky and fought with the mighty warrior Ravana. Jatayu heartily
desired to save Goddess Sita Devi from the clutches of the demon King Ravana.
Unfortunately, Jatayu could not withstand the fight for long time. Ravana cut
down the powerful wings of Jatayu. Jatayu fell down helplessly on the Earth
with a dull sound.
Lord
Rama continued his search for his dearest wife all through the forest and
reached the place where Jatayu rested. Jatayu was holding his last breath to
inform Lord Rama about the aduction of Sita Devi by the demon King Ravana.
Immediately after informing the wretched state Sita Devi, Jatayu took his last
breath. Lord Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu in Thiruputkuzhi and
blessed him with Salvation, therefore this sacred temple also known as ‘Jatayu
Mokshasthal’. Jatayu – The King of Birds belongs to ‘Pul’ (category) and
‘Kuzhi’ means ‘Pit’, that’s how Thiruputkuzhi has got its name.
Mother
is greatly praised by the devotees for Her grace and power of germinating even
fried pulse. The custom followed in the place is strange. Women use to have a
dip in Jayayu Theertham, go to sleep at night with fried pulse tied in the
sari. If they find the pulse germinated when they wake up in the morning, it
indicates child boon granted.
Yadava
Prakasa, the Guru of Acharya Ramanuja lived here. There is a stone horse vahan
in the temple with moving limbs, a wonder in Tamil Sculpture. The sculptor,
after making this horse, vowed not to make one such till his death. As a mark
of respect to the sculptor for his skill and determination, Lord visits the
street named after the sculptor on the 8th day of the festival.
People
believe that performing tarpan to ancestors on the new moon day in this place
would bring them double benefit, as Lord Rama performed last rites to Jatayu in
this place.
For
water needed for the rites, Lord Rama shot an arrow and created a spring, now
called Jatayu Pushkarini.
Vijaya
Raaghava Perumal is seen in a sitting posture, having the bird (Jataayu) on his
thigh. Not able to bear the smell caused by the final rites and because of the
flames that arose out of the cremation of Jaatayu, Sri Devi Thaayar is said to
have moved to the other side of the Lord. At this temple, the Goddess is seen
to the left of the Lord Vijayaraghava with her head slightly turned in the
Lord’s direction (in all Divya Desams, Sri Devi Thaayar is seen to the right of
the Lord). Also, the Thaayar Sannidhi is to the left of the LorIn all Divya
Desams, the Thaayar Sannidhi is always to the right of the Lord.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Vijayaraghavaperumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Maragadavalli |
|
Theertham |
Jadayu Theertham |
People
pray for child boon. This is also one of the holy places to offer Tarpan to
ancestors.
Float festival in Thai
month-January-February; Masi Brahmmotsavam in February-March; Aavani Pavithra
Utsav in August-September, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October and
Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
Tiruputkuzhi
is 80 km far from Chennai on the Vellore road. From Kancheepuram it is 13 km.
The devotee has to get down at Balu Chetty Chatram stop.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Vijayaraghava
Perumal Thirukkoil,
Thirupputkuzhi,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631502.
LOCATION:
No comments:
Post a Comment