DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 16thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Tiruninravur
(Thiruninravur) is a small locality located at a distance of 35 km from
Chennai, the gateway to South India. Tiruninravur has two famous and old
temples - one for Lord Shiva and another for Lord Vishnu. This article talks
about the temple of Lord Vishnu - Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple in Tiruninravur.
Bhaktavatsala
Perumal temple, which was built by Pallava kings, is one of the 108 Divya Desam
temples (108 most important temples of Lord Vishnu sung by Alwars). The temple
is located well at the heart of the town, next to the Shiva temple in
Tiruninravur. As per the belief, Samudra Raja (the father of Lakshmi and the
ocean king) worshipped the Lord here. There is also a belief that the Lord gave
darshan to Varuna (the god for rain) here.
Being
one among the celebrated 108 Vaishnava Divyadesas, Lord in this temple graces
devotees in the standing form. The Vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum is
called Utpala Vimana. Varuna and Samudra Rajan had worshipped and had the
darshan of the Lord in this temple. All full moon days, Tiruvonam star days,
Fridays and Saturdays are special puja days in the temple.
Saint
Tirumangai Azhwar was passing through many sacred Vaishnava shrines including
Tirunindravur but did not sing on this temple. Noticing that Azhwar bypassed
this temple, Mother asked Lord to get a hymn from the Azhwar. By the time Lord
reached Azhwar, he was in Mamallapuram. Lord demanded a song Azhwar from this
place. Excited by the simplicity and grace of the Lord, Azhwar sang meaning as
follows:“My Lord, protecting the whole universe, came to me to make known His
love for the Bhaktas at this sacred Mamallapuram. He demanded and took a song
from me.” Mother Mahalakshmi was not satisfied with one song. She asked the
Lord to go back to Azhwar for the remaining 9 songs as he used to sing 10 for
all temples. Azhwar has already left Mamallapuram and had reached
Tirukkannamangai. He saw Lord with a side look waiting for him and in the
Pathigam (10 songs) on Tirukkannamangai Perumal, Azwar included Tirunindravur
Perumal also in the hymns.
Once,
Mother Mahalakshmi (Tiru) left Perumal due to some reasons, came and stood
(Nindra) here, hence, the place came to be known as Tiru Nindra Oor (place).
Her father Samudra Rajan (as Mahalakshmi was born in the milk ocean, the king
of oceans-Samudra Rajan is Her father) came to her, cooled Her anger and asked
Her to go back to Her Lord Perumal, she refused. The king of oceans went to
Perumal and begged Him to come and take back his daughter Mahalakshmi. Lord
asked him to go before Him and assured to follow him. Samdra Raja told
Mahalaskshmi that he was not her father but She was his “Ennai Pettra Thayar”
‘You who gave me birth’ and requested Her to come back to Vaikunta and rule the
world. Perumal too joined the compromise, Sri Mahalakshmi went back with
Perumal.
As
Lord responded to the prayer of Bhakta (devotee) Samudra Rajan, He is called
Bhaktavatsalan. As Samudra Rajan said “Ennai Pettra Thayar” that came to stay
as the name of Mother of the temple. Also as prayed by Samudra Raja, they are
gracing together in the Wedding Form. The main tower of the temple stands
majestically built during the Vijayanagara period. Passing the Bali Peeta, flag
post Garuda shrine, Maha Mandap and the Inner Mandap, 11 feet tall Lord Perumal
accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi graces the devotees with His five weapons.
Thayar shrine is right of that of the Lord. There are shrines for Andal,
Azhwars, Sri Hanuman, Eri Katha Ramar and Adhi Sesha.
When
Kubera lost all his wealth, he prayed to Ennai Pettra Thayar – Mother who gave
me birth – and got them back, according to scriptures. Mother Goddess is all
merciful raining all prosperities to Her devotees and is praised as Vaibhava
Lakshmi. Divine serpent Adisesha has a special shrine in the temple. It is the
faith of people that worshipping Sri Adisesha on Wednesdays with ghee lamp and
offering milk porridge – Paal Payasam – as nivedhana would relieve those
affected with snake aspects and from the adverse effects of Rahu-Ketu planets.
It also strengthens the benefit of the Mangal Sutra of women. A visit to this
temple is said to help people recover lost wealth/glory.
Bhaktavatsala
Perumal Temple has a beautiful tower (Rajagopuram). Once you enter into the
east facing temple, you can find the flag staff (dhwajastambha) opposite to the
main shrine. The main shrine has the big idols of Lord Vishnu, called as
Bhaktavatsala in this temple, in the standing posture, along with his consorts
Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi on either sides. The utsav (procession) idols of Lord
Bhaktavatsala along with his two consorts are also placed in the main shrine.
Opposite to the main shrine, as usual there is a small shrine for Garuda.
The
temple has one corridor (prakara surrounding the main shrine), which has
various small shrines. There is a separate shrine for the Goddess named as
'Ennai Petra Thayar' a beautiful Tamil word meaning 'My mother'. There are also
shrines for Anadals, Chakrathalwar, Adi Sesha, and Mudaliyandan in the
corridor. Inside the main shrine, near the sanctum for Bhakthavatsala Perumal,
there is a small shrine for Yoga Narasimha. A pillar containing the figure of
Narasimha has also been made like a small shrine. Outside the temple, Lord
Hanuman is available in a separate shrine facing the main temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Bakthavatsala Perumal(Bathraavi) |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sudhavalli |
|
Theertham |
Varuna Pushkarani Theertham |
Those facing problems
in wedding proposals pray to lord and mother.
Panguni Tiruvonam in
March-April, birth star days of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas and 12 Azhwars, Chitra
Poornima in April-May and Wedding festivals, Deepavli in October-November,
Tirukarthikai in November-December, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Masi
Magam in February-March, Thai Pongal and Ratha Sapthami in January-February are
the festivals celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
Temple is near Tirunindravur. Bus no from Chennai Peradway and koyampedu -71E,
Poonthamalli -54A
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Bhaktavatasala
Perumal Temple,
Tirunindravur,
Tiruvallur,
Tamil Nadu – 602024.
LOCATION:
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