Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the Divya Desam Vishnu Sthalam |
Region | Nadu Naadu |
Nadu Naadu | 1st Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Tiruvahindipuram
was planned and developed by Adisesha. Lord Brahmma had performed penance here,
hence the name Brammachalam for the place. The river brought by Garuda flows
nearby in his name as Garuda Nadhi-river offering the same benefit to the
devotee as in the Holy Ganga. The water of the river is red as blood during the
monsoon due to a curse of a Rishi, it is said. Lord Narasimha in this temple
has Mother Mahalakshmi on His right lap against the tradition on the left lap.
The hill place also bears the name Oushadhachalam as a piece of the Sanjeevi
mount fell here when Hanuaman was carrying the same to Lanka. The hill has many
herbals with high medical value. Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva temple is here, the
first ever temple raised for the Lord. Vaishnavite Acharya Vedanta Desikan had
performed penance here, had the darshan of Lord Hayagriva and Garuda. They
granted him boons too.
Perumal
feeling thirsty ordered Garuda to bring Him water. As Garuda delayed to return,
Adisesha struck the ground with his tail, made a spring and offered water to
Lord. This spring is called Sesha Theertham. This is a prayer well where
devotees put jaggery, salt and pepper seeking remedy for the illness they
suffer. Those facing serpent effects pray here for remedy.
Another
story on this has it that Garuda who went around to bring water for the Lord
came across a Rishi in mid air and finding water inside the Rishi’s sacred
kettle, knocked it down, thus letting the water into this place. Angered at
this act of Garuda, the rishi cursed turning the water into a dirty colour.
Realising his folly, Garuda explained the reason for his hasty action and
apologised. To this day, one finds the water in the river dirty but once in the
hand, it seems pure and clear.
Garuda
who came back late (after Adhiseshan had already helped quench the Lord’s thirst)
requested the Lord to accept his water too as sacred. The Lord accepted the
water on the Chariot Procession day. On this day, water from this river
(Kedila) is brought and offered to the Lord.
This
is the only Divya Desam where both vehicles of Vishnu brought water for the
Lord. Lords Brahmma, Shiva and Indira, Mother Bhoomadevi, Sages Brugu and
Markandeya had performed penance here. Tirumangai Azhwar and Acharya Maha
Desikan had sung the glory of Perumal in their hymns. Sri Desika had lived in
this place for about 4 decades and wrote many books on Lord. The house he
resided here is still praised as Desikan Tirumaligai. He had also dug a well
himself. His hymns on Perumal is on the Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava, considering
himself as the spouse of Lord Perumal. He also made his own idol. This is a
very ancient temple of Perumal.
Due
to their pride and arrogance, the Devas of the celestial world were defeated by
Asuras-demons and driven away from their place. All of them surrendered at the
feet of Lord Vishnu at this place-Oushadhachalam. Lord promised them help. The
Asuras sought the help of Lord Shiva to win again. Lord Shiva too promised His
help. Seeing that the Devas beaten and defeated, Lord Vishnu applied His
discus-Chakrayudha that chased and killed the demons. All surrendered at Lord’s
feet. Lord Vishnu appeared before them as Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva and pleased
all. As He was the captain of the Devas, He was named Devanatha. Knowing that
Lord Sri Narayana had decided to stay here for ever, Adishesha built a town,
which we now call Tiru Ahindi (Adisesha) Puram (place) – Tiruvahindipuram.
Having
gained dominating powers thanks to his sincere penance, a demon attacked Indira
logam and drove out Indira, who is said to have gone into hiding here. The
hassled Devas went up to Vishnu who asked them to perform a Yagam at
Vahindapuram. On the completion of the Yaagam, Indira is believed to have come
out of his hiding. Vishnu appeared before him and presented the Vajra Yudham
with the help of which Indira defeated the demon and re conquered the Indira
logam. 11th century inscription at this temple shows that the
ThiruVahindrapuram Lord was referred to as the Standing Vishnu. Legend has it
that the Lord here is considered as the brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa.
In
this Divya Desam, milk is not poured into the snake pit. Instead it is poured
into the ‘Sesha Theertham’. Nigamaantha Desigan is said to have lived here for
40 years and scripted the sampradayam for Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavites. Hence
this temple is said to be the ‘Home to Vadakalai Sect’. Special significance is
attached to the Desigan Sannidhi at this temple. Desigan who was devoted to
this Lord, wrote great pieces of literature on DeivaNaayagan and Hayagriva.
Desigar got a sculpture(Thirumeni) of his done at this temple. A sculptor
questioned the Desigar if he could give life to this art form. When the
sculptor touched the Thirumeni to get a feel of it, there was a scratch seen on
it and to his shock, he found blood flowing down. Realising his mistake, the
sculptor is said to have apologized to Sri Desikan.
There
is a Hayagriva temple atop the hill opposite the Deiva Naayagan temple. The
story goes that two demons had taken away the Vedic scriptures from Brahmma.
Vishnu is said to have taken the Hayagriva form and brought back the Vedic
scriptures from the demons. Being the place where Lord Vishnu, in Hayagriva
form, brought back the educative scriptures, he is referred to as the God of
Learning. He is said to fulfill one’s prayers relating to education and studies
at this temple.
The
vimana above the presiding deity is of Suddha Satwa philosophy based. 6 pujas a
day is performed in the temple according to Vaishnava rules. Those unable to
fulfil their prayer commitment at Tirupathi can do it here.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Deivanayakan |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Hemambujavalli |
|
Theertham |
Sesha
Theertham |
It is the staunch faith
of the devotees that those praying at the feet of Lord Deanatha Perumal are
blessed with economic stability, children, health and longevity. Devotees place
jaggery, salt and pepper in the well of the temple seeking remedy for their
illness of any severity. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of serpent
planets Rahu and Ketu, pray for reversal of bad effects.
Devotees offer Tulsi garlands and light ghee lamps and Maa Vilakkua little lamp
made of a paste of rice flour and ghee. The also tonsure here. They also
perform Tirumanjanam, abishek and offer pure white garments to Lord. They also
arrange nivedhana to Lord and distribute the Prasad to other visitors. Some
organize feeding-Annadhana also.
10
day Chithirai Devanatha Perumal Brahhmotsavam, Garuda Seva on the 5th day and
Theerthavari on the 9th day when devotee crowd will exceed a lakh; Vaikasi
Visakam, Nammazhwar Sathumurai 10 days and Perumal Vasanth Utsav 10 days in
May-June; Narasimha Jayanthi; Aadi new moon day-Amavasya and Aadi Pooram in
July-August; Aavani Pavithra Utsav in August-September; Sri Krishna Jayanthi;
Purattasi Maha Desikan Utsav in September-October; Deepavali in
October-November with festival for the first three Azhwars, Tirukarthikai in
November-December; Hanumath Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January,
Andal wedding festival; Bogi and Makar Sankranti in January-February and
Panguni Sri Rama Navai in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the
temple
HOW
TO REACH:
This
Divyadesam is one of the main sthalam in Nadu Naattu Divyadesam. The temple is
situated about 5 Kms away from Cuddalore in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu.
This temple is located underneath a small mountain (Malai Adivaram). 3 miles
away from Tirupathirippuliyoor railway station which is in between Chennai –
Trichy railway lane. Bus facility is also available.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Devanatha Perumal
Thirukkoil,
Thiruvaheendrapuram,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu - 607401.
LOCATION:
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