Shri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ புண்டரீகாக்ஷ பெருமாள் கோயில், திருவெள்ளறை /Thiruvellarai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu – One of the 108 Divya Desam

05^th November 2017.

This temple’s visit is a part of Heritage walk organized by Chozha Mandala Varalaru Thedal Kuzhu on 05^th November 2017 along with Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam and Sri Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval.

The original post was up dated after the second Visit. The second   Visit to this temple was a part of “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20^th & 21^st March 2021. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular. This temple is built on a white rock mountain approximately 50 feet high, hence this place was called as Thiruvellarai and also this place was called as Swethapuri Kshethram.

This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam. Periyalwar and Thirumangai Alwar had done mangalasasanam in praise of Lord Sri Pundarikakshan.

வென்றிமா மழு ஏந்தி முன் மண்மிசை மன்னரை மூவெழுகால்

கொன்ற தேவ! நின் குரை கழல் தொழுவது ஓர் வகை எனக்கு அருள்புரியே

மன்றில் மாம்பொழில் நுழைதந்து மல்லிகை மௌவலில் போது அலர்த்தி

தென்றல் மா மணம் கமழ்தர வரு திருவெள்ளறை நின்றானே.. -5-3-1.

ஆறினோடொரு நான்குடை நெடுமுடியரக்கன்றன் சிரமெல்லாம்

வேறு வேறுக வில்லது வளைத்தவனே எனக்கருள் புரியே

மாறில் சோதிய மரகதப் பாசடை தாமரைமலர் வார்த்த 

தேறல் மாந்தி வண்டின்னிசை முரல் திருவெள்ளறை நின்றானே. -5-3-7

............திருமங்கையாழ்வார்  Periya tirumozhi 5-3-7

இந்திரனோடு பிரமன் ஈசன் இமையவர் எல்லாம்

மந்திர மாமலர் கொண்டு மறைந்துஉவராய் வந்து நின்றார்

சந்திரன் மாளிகை சேரும் சதிரர்கள் வெள்ளறை நின்றாய்

அந்தியம் போது இதுவாகும் அழகனே. காப்பிடவாராய். (2) 1.

........ பெரியாழ்வார் திருமொழி

Moolavar  : Sri Pundarikakshan ( Uyyakkondar)/

                  Senthamarai Kannan

Thayar     : Sri Pangajavalli Thayar / Shengamala thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a small entrance arch on the east side. There is an  unfinished Rajagopuram on the south side. The temple has 3 prakaras. The third prakara has a rock cut cave. In the second prakara sannadhi for Karya Siddhi Anjaneyar, Chakkarathalwar, Andal, Alwars Ramanujar and Shengamalavalli Thayar. In the 1^st Prakara the main sanctorum stucco images of Pundarikaksha Perumal, Indran, Maha Vishnu's various Postures, Brahmahathi dosha Perumal, Garudan, Gandharar, Brahma, Lord Shiva, Govardhana, Savithri, Saraswathi, Chandran and Suriyan.

In the sanctum Perumal Sri Pundarikakshan is in standing posture of about 7 feet tall ( made of stucco ). The upper hands holds the conch and Chakra in prayoka position. Above Perumal’s head, are Suriyan and Chandran. On his right is Adhiseshan in standing posture with human head. Markandeya Maharishi is on the left and Bhoodevi is on the right in sitting posture worshiping Sri Pundarikakshan. 

Moolavar 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum was built utilising the natural landscape of a rock called venparai ( Hence called as Thiruvellarai. ) There are two Rajagopurams on the north side of which first level is unfinished after 3^rd tier, believed to be built during 14^th to 15^th Century Vijayanagara period. It was planned to complete the Rajagopuram and the same was halted due to Court cases. Finally the Court allowed only to strengthen the existing structure ie Rajagopuram without any further additions. The East side entrance was opened after many decades to clear the way for restoration.

The Rajagopuram after rectification

 The Rajagopuram after rectification

A 4 Pillar mandapa is in front of the unfinished Rajagopuram. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. In addition to this,  there is an entrance of the east side. This was used for many years before the unfinished Rajagopuram was rectified. The mandapam before the sanctum sanctorum is with virutha pillars and Vettupothyals and do not have any ornamentation. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upa peeda and adhisthana has Padma Jagathi, Silambu Kumuda.

The sanctum sanctorum is of rectangular in shape with two entrances. The entrances are with 18 steps ( represents 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita ) on each side. The Dakshinayana entrance will be kept open between during Tamil months Aadi to Margazhi ( From July – August to December – January ). The Utharayana entrance will be kept open between Tamil months Thai to Aani ( January- February to June – July ). Between the two entrances stucco images of Gangatharan, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Govardhanagiri. Again to the main sanctum  we have to climb 5 steps which represents the pancha bhootas ( Earth, Water, Fire, Air/wind and space ). The stucco Vimana in vesara style with three kalasa is called as “Vimalakirti Vimana”.

On the south side there is an unfinished rock cut cave with two sanctums and a mandapa. The mandapa is supported by 4 rectangular pillars, 2 Pilasters with Tharanga pothyal. Dwarapalaka is also unfinished on one side. This rock Cut cave was excavated during Pallava period. The Pillars has the Pallava period inscriptions.

8^th Century Dhandivarman-II and Nandivarman,Pallava Period rock cut cave in the 3^rd prakara. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions in the rock cut cave in the 3^rd prakara, the cave was excavated during Nandivarman-II ( 732 -796 CE ). There is another inscription of Dhandivarman ( 796 – 847 CE ) is on the cave pillars. Even-though the Rock cut cave belongs to pallava period there is no evidence that the Main temple was built by the Pallavas. Experts are of the opinion that the temple was built by the early Chozhas, during 3^rd Century ( ..?) ( http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6485/1/42832_1961_THI.pdf ). From the inscriptions it is evident that this temple is older than the Srirangam Temple.

Nandhivarman-II, 10^th reign year inscription ( highly damaged ), which mentions Vijaya nallulan ( his name was figured in many places as a donor- he may the brother of the swastika well excavator Kamban araiyan ).

Mathurantaka Uthama Chozha’s 8^th reign year inscription Thiruvellarai temple is referred as “Periya Sri Koyil” and during Rajaraja-I period this place was in Rajaraja valanattu  Pachil Kootrathu Thiruvellarai.

Koparakesari’s 15^th reign year inscription the temple was called as “Thiruvellarai Periya Sri Koyil”, special offerings are made on Chithirai month Thiruvonam Nakshatra day.

A Tamil poem inscribed on the wall of the Rajagopuram entrance belongs to Maravarman Sundara Pandyan in the year 1219 CE. As per the inscriptions during war with Chozhas, the Pandya army uprooted every pillars and destroyed all the structures in Chozha Country but spared a 16 Pillar mandapa, since it was built in commemoration of the sangam Tamil poet “Kadiyalur Rudran Kannanar”, for his works in Pattinappalai. Even-though the said literature praises the Chozha King Karikala and his performance as an able ruler. Due to the Love and respect the Pandya King had for the Tamil language, Tamil literature and to the poets, he stopped  the demolition. This is inscribed in the form of a poem which is reproduced as given below.   

வெறியார் தவளத் தொடை செயமாறன் வெகுண்டதொன்றும்

அறியாத செம்பியன் காவேரி நாட்டிலரமியத்துப்

பறியாத தூணிலை கண்ணன் செல்பட்டினப் பாலைக்கன்று

நெறியால் விருந்தூண் பதினாறு மேயங்கு நின்றானே!

 The 16 pillar mandapa inscription 

The 1928 inscription records that a Nanjai land in survey No 113 at Chennakarai Village to celebrate Krishna paksha Yogadasa utsavam by Sesha Iyangar’s son Venkatrama Iyangar.  

The unfinished Rajagopuram base ( 75 feet x 55 feet ) damaged Pillars and beams were replaced during recent years. The details are given under the photos.

A 11^th to 12^th century Inscription found near this temple belongs to a Merchant group (வணிக குழு) with the various symbols like Pasumbai- bags, Sword, Bill book, bow with arrow, Coiled whip, elephant goad ( angusam ), and a lance. A 21 line inscription is also inscribed in Tamil mixed with sanskrit. The inscription mentions Ainutruvar ( merchant group ).  

The merchant group inscription

LEGENDS 

It is believed that a Yogi Pundarika created a Nandhavan and worshiped Perumal and Thayar with “Thulasi- துளசி”- which are grown in the Nandhavanam. Satisfied with his devotion Perumal and Thayar gave darshan, hence the Perumal is called as “Pundarikaksha Perumal”.

As per the legend this place was under the control of demons. The Chakravarthi Sibi with his army chased them out to protect the citizens. On the way Lord Maha Vishnu came in the form of an white pig / swine and gave trouble to the army. When his army tried to chase it came to this hill and disappeared. He happened to see the sage Markandeya was in penance. The King told that he was in search of a Swine which gave troubles to his army. The sage told that the swine is nothing but Lord Maha Vishnu in the form of Varaha. He further told to do Milk Abhishekam to an ant hill on the top of the this rocky mount. Lord Maha Vishnu with Mahalakshmi appeared and blessed him.  The King built a temple for Maha Vishnu and MahaLakshmi. He also brought 3700 brahmin families and made them to settle at this place. Hence this place is called as – “தில்லை மூவாயிரம், திருவெள்ளரை ஆறாயிரம்”.

Sibi Chakravarthy Garudalwar and Markandeyar worshiped Perumal of this temple. As per the Sthala Purana Perumal is in the form of Swetha Varaha ( white swine / pig ), hence Perumal is called as Swethapuri Nathar and also this place was called as Swethapuri Kshethram.

It was believed that Sri Ramanujar and Vedanta Desikar stayed and worshiped Perumal of this temple. Also this is the birth place of Bhaktar Uyykondar. The prakaras are separated by high raised walls, It was told that this temple was used during wars as fort.

Balipeedam   pooja is offered to Pundarikakshan Perumal for the financial wellness, prosperity and improvement in life.

The legend behind the Uttarayana ( Kubera ) and Dakshinayana ( Yama ) entrances. It is believed that this two entrances signifies, the birth and death of any athma. When it enters through these entrances Jeevatma experiences the Paramathma ie the supreme. Hence it is believed that, during the starting of Uttarayana, Paramathma will be as Suryanarayana and end of Dakshinayana will be as Govindan.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas , Annual Brahmotsavam will be  celebrated in the month Panguni on Thiruvonam star day ( March – April ), Grand festival will be celebrated on Chitra Pournami day ( April – May ), Krishna Jayanthi in the month Aani ( Aug – Sep ) and all important Vaishnava festivals.

The Utsavars

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 15.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Since this temple is under the control of Srirangam Sri Ranganathar Temple, Srirangam temple may be contacted for further details. +91 431 256 2243 and +91 93451 18817.

At Thiruvellarai Temple, Kamalamalar Kannan Bhattar on mobile number +91 8667699799 and Vioth Bhattar on mobile number +919894142111 may be contacted for Homam, Pooja and Staying Accommodation at Thiruvellarai.

HOW TO REACH:

Town bus is available from Srirangam. Since there is no boarding and lodging facility, the devotees are advised to take care before going to this temple ( Also see the Contact Details ).

This temple is situated between Trichy to Thuraiyur Road, 13 KM from bus stop. 16.3 KM from Srirangam temple, 19.5 KM from main Guard gate, 23 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 75 KM from Thanjavur and 321 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

East side entrance to the temple

South side Rajagopuram is under reconstruction using 10 lakhs bricks, 15000 cft lime mortar, 20000 vilva fruits and 50000 aluveera . The Rajagopuram is measuring 75 feet in length, 45 feet in width ( existing ) and 115 feet height ( estimated ).  This project is being sponsored by Coimbatore Ranganayaki, Narayanaswamy, Jayapaul and Velumani. These works will be carried out through TNHRCE under consultation with IIT ( Madras) and NCSHS

2^nd level 3 tier rajagopuram

Urchava mandapam

Thayar Sannadhi and on the left is the pushkarani

Stucco images of Vishnu, Shiva and Krishna  holding  Govardhanagiri

Stucco images of Gangadharan ( Shiva holding Ganga on his right upper hand), Brahma and Vishnu

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

Shiva's Brahmahathi dosha stucco image  with Vishnu and Garuda

Kuda koothu and one of the Vishnu’s leela

8^th Century Dhandivarman-II and Nandivarman, Pallava Period rock cut cave in the 3^rd prahara. 

Un finished dwarapalaka

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---