DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 17thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
The
Sri Vaidiya Veera Raghavar Temple is situated in Tiruvallur the headquarters of
Tiruvallur District, Tamilnadu. The temple is one among the 108 divya desams of
vaishnavas and a part of tondai naadu divyadesams. Tiruvallur is also referred
to by a paasuram of Tirumazhisai Alwar where he addresses seven shrines featuring
Vishnu in a reclining position:
1. Anbil,
2. Tirukkudandai,
3. Tirupparkadal,
4. Tiruppernagar,
5. Tiruvallur,
6. Tiruvarangam and
7. Tiruvegkaa
The
presiding deity Veera raghava perumal is in a reclining position facing east,
and the goddess is Kanakavalli taayaar, enshrined in a separate sanctum. The
perumaal right hand is kept on the head of Saalihothira muni. Narada muni,
Brahma is shown the Paramathma Swaroopam (one way of the showing his body or
seva) and showing the Gnana Muthirai in his left hand as the symbol of Vedas.
This is the way the Moolavar is gives the seva to the world.
The deity is in a lying position on a stage of 15.5 feet height. There are also
shrines for Lakshmi Narasimhar and Chakarathalwar in this temple
The
Perumal here is Veeraraghava Perumal and he is capable of curing diseases so he
is called "Vaithiya Veeraraghavan".
Sage
Salihotra came to this is Veeksharanya Kshetram and performed penance for one
year near the tank in the temple. He came to the Kshetram on Thai Amaavasai. On
the same day he came, he took bath in Hiruthaapanasana Theertham and on the
north shore of this theertha, he started the silence fasting (mouna viratham)
for one year. As he was fasting for one year without food or drink, he
collected on that day some paddy and prepared prasadam out of that. After
completing the pujas in the month of Thai, in the evening, he prepared some
food, offered it to the Lord and waited for some one (Adhithi) to come, so that
he can offer them something to eat and after that, he can finish the fasting.
An old man appeared before him and asked him some food. The sage gladly offered
a share but it was not enough for him. The sage gave the whole quantity to him
gladly. The guest was satisfied and - left the place. Salihotran commenced
another year's penance without food and drink.
After
finishing his morning rituals, he procured some paddy and prepared oblations.
Like the previous year, he offered a portion to Lord Narayana and was waiting
for a guest to offer the second portion, leaving the last portion for him. This
time also the old Brahmin was coming by that way. Salihotran-welcomed him and
while accompanying him to the hermitage, the old Brahmin expressed that he was
feeling extremely hungry and thirsty and needed a place for rest also. In the
hermitage, Salihotran offered the entire prasadam meant for the guest as well
as for himself. After taking the food completely, the old guest wanted to go
for a sleep and he asked where can he sleep? (Evvullil Urangalam) (Vul - means
a place). For this, Salihothirar asked him that he can sleep in his hut itself
and he will do the Paadha seva to him. The old man slept keeping his head along
the south direction.
The
sage found that the old man was none other than the Lord Vishnu himself. The Lord
asked what the sage wanted. The sage sought a boon that the Lord should not
leave the place and grace the devotees fulfilling their desires. The Lord
obliged and the temple of Veeraghavaswami came up in Tiruvallur. Since he asked
Salihothirar muni that in which place (Vul) he can take rest, this sthalam is
called "Evvulor" or "Thiru Evvuloor".
The
temple was built during the Pallavas period. This temple is under the
administration of the Ahobila Mutt. It is an east facing temple with a 5 tiered
rajagopuram. There are also shrines to Ganesha, Gopalan, Nammalwar, Vedanta
Desikar, Aandaal, Ramanujacharyar, Lakshmi Narasimha. There are inscriptions
dating back to the 2nd half of the 9th century Pallava period here.
The
water in the tank is considered more sacred than that of Ganga. A dip in the
tank relieves the devotee even from sins he committed by mind though not in
action. It is believed that bathing in the temple tank, and worshipping
Veeraraghava perumaal with symbolic offerings of salt and pepper here, is a
cure to many a physical ailment, and hence the deity is also known as Vaidya
Veeraraghava Perumal. It is also believed that barren couples beget progeny
upon worshipping here.
It
is a marvelous sight to see the glorious specimens of Dravidian art in
sculptures depicting the mythological legends of Hindu scriptures in the
pinnacles of the gopurams.
The
Lord's abhishekam is performed only with sandalwood oil. Abishek to Lord is
performed with perfumed oil only. Salt and pepper offered to the god is believed
to cure diseases and restore good health to the devotee. Small metal form of
parts of body and other symbols are available in the nearby shops and these are
put in the hundi by devotees for curing particular disease.
The
temple tank, Hrittaapanasin, is of great importance as s it here that people
who are unwell dissolve jaggery and pray to the Lord for a cure. They also
throw salt and pepper into the tank theres a legend attached to this tank.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Veeraraghava Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kanagavalli |
|
Theertham |
Hruthabanasini Pushkarani Theertham |
Lord
Veera Raghava Perumal is all merciful a physician. Any sick person praying here
continuously on three new moon days is cured of diseases as stomach pain,
defects in hands and legs and fever. Devotees also pray for child boon and
happy wedding and reliefs from any untold hardship and suffering.
During
the Tamil month of Chittirai, Brahmotsavam, a
10-day festival is celebrated, the festival deity is taken in procession around
the streets of the temple in different mounts each day and the float festival
is celebrated on the last day. The other festivals associated with Vishnu
temples like Krishna Jayanthi, Saturdays of Tamil month Puratassi, Navratri, Vaikunta
Ekadasi and Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective
days.
HOW
TO REACH:
Tiruvallur
(station code: TRL) is on the Chennai- Arrakonam rail route and is 42 km from
Chennai by rail. One can approach this place by public bus or train from
Chennai.
Sri
Vaidiya Veera Raghavar Temple is situated 2 kms away from the Railway station
and half kms away from Bus stand. Share autos are the common mode of transport
to the temple, although Public transport buses are also there.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Veeraraghava
Perumal Thirukkoil,
Thiruvallur,
Tamil Nadu - 602001.
LOCATION:
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