VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple, Srimushnam in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Saturday 21 September 2019

Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple, Srimushnam in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th September 2019.

This temple’s visit is a part of in and around Sirkazhi Temples visit on 14^th and 15^th September 2019. We had covered 20 temples and some of them are covered earlier. The Details will be posted one by one. Srimushnam is also called as Srimuttam. The Korai root ( கோரைக்கிழங்கு - Cyperus Rotundus ) which is a favorite food of boar / Varaha is called as Mustha / mustam in Sanskrit and this Root’s powder is given as Prasad in this temple. May be this mustha / Mustam added with Sri and latter corrupted as Srimushnam.

Urchava murtis

Moolavar : Bhu Varaha Swamy

Thayar : Ambujavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. A Haruda thoon and a 4 Pillar mandapa is in front of the Rajagopuram. The north side Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers will be kept open only on Vaikunta Ekadasi also called as Paramapatha vassal. The balipeda, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are after the Rajagopuram under the 100 pillared Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum complex consists of Sanctum, Antarala, ardha mandapa, Udayar mandapa, Hundred pillared mandapam, Pushpa sukta mandapa ( in the form of Ratha ) and Sevakala mandapa. The Sanctum niches/ Deva Koshtas are empty.

Mulavar Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy is with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, in standing posture keeping both hands on the hips and face turned towards south slightly up lifted. The Vimana is called as Bhavana vimana. Mulavar is made of Salagrama and it is daily anointed. Utsava murti Bhoga Narayanaswami with his consorts, Yagnavaraha and his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are facing west in Arthamandapa.

In parakara / cloister sannadhi for Thayar Ambujavalli, Srinivasa Perumal, Andal, Udayar, Venugopalan, Vishvaksena, Yaga Sala, Vedanta Desika, Thirumangai Mannan, Manavala mamunigal, Kuzhandai Amman, Saptamatrikas ( stucco images of Saptamatrikas are on the parapet wall of the sanctum ), Nammalwar, Chakravarthi Thirumagan ( Sri Rama with Sita and Lakshman, Bharata, Satruka and Anjaneya ), Anjaneyar, Lakshmi Narayana and Asvatha Narayanaswami ( Puja rights are vested with Madhwa Brahmins ).

ARCHITECTURE:

The sanctum sanctorum was built completely with stone up to prastaram ( upana, Adhisthana, bitti ( wall ) and has Vimana, greevam and Kalasam. The Vimana is called as Bhavana Vimana. The mandapas are rare classical example of Vijayanagara Architecture. Dancing postures, images of Deities are carved on the side walls of Rajagopuram. The sculptured hall, the pushpa Sukta mandapa where the mantras are chanted to be noted for its architectural treasure. Shaped like a chariot/ ratha/ it is replete with carvings of figures or warriors mounted on horses, and elephants. The Ceilings are carved with lotuses, parrots and other varieties of birds. The Yazhi pillars are carved nicely. The Kodungais of the pushpa sukta mandapa is worth to see, since it looked very similar to Thiruperunthurai Shiva temple mandapa. Nayak kings and queens are sculptured along with the pillars.

The 100 pillared Hall/ Mandapa

A Ceiling Carving - Parrots

A Kodungai

A Yazhi Pillar

A Pillared pillar

Kodungai

Nayak King and Queen

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the Tamil Nadu Govt Cuddalore web site the temple had received contributions from 10^th century medieval Chozhas and latter expanded by the Thanjavur Nayak king Achutappa Nayak. Another inscription dated at 1100 by Kulothunga Chola-I (1070–1120 CE ) mentions a gift of a village to the temple, where the presiding deity is referred as Varaha Azhwar.  An inscription of the Vijayanagara king, Virupaksha - II dated 1471 CE is found on the walls of the temple speaks about gift of a village to this temple and called this temple as Adivaraha Nayanar Koil.

Even though it is believed that the temple exists from ancient period records are only available from 16^th Century in the form of inscriptions ( in this temple walls ) and copper plates. As per the inscriptions this Temple was expanded in 17^th  Century during Vijayanagara period by the Thanjavur Nayak king Achuthappa Nayak (1560 – 1614 CE ).  And further expanded with Mandapas, Gopuras, Prakaras / cloisters by their feudatories and Viceroys. They also donated jewels, lands, Villages etc for conducting daily pujas and festivals. Mohul king Ferrukshiar had made large gifts of villages to this temple. Svarup Singh of Maratha from Gingee also patronized this temple.

In 1926 under the approval of British East India Company hereditary Dharmakartha/ Trustees celebrated various festivals and lands were gifted to this temple.

In 1928 CE as per the orders ( OS No 27 / 1912)  of the District Court of South Arcot, Trustees has been appointed by the Court. But from 1951CE, the management was taken over by Hindu Religious Endowment board and the same was revised in 1968 CE.

  inscriptions

LEGENDS:

The puranas Skanda, Sri Bhagavata, Maha bharata and Padma Purana presents a vivid account of the advent Bhagavan, the adorable Lord from Srivaikuntam into the mundane world in Krta Yuga of 28^th chaturyuga of Vaishnava manvantara of Svetavarahakalpa. In this incarnation Bhagavan as Sri Varahamurti / boar killed the demon Hiranyaksha and rescued Bhumi Devi ( Mother earth ) from the bottom of the seas in Patala Loka, wherein the asura had kept her concealed. Elaborate descriptions of these events and of the spiritual merit of the holy waters of this kshetra are found in the puranas.

Brahma and Rishis worshiped Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy of this temple. It is believed that People pray Kuzhanthai Amman for child boon.

PUJAS AND CELEBRATIONS:

During Panchaparva, five seasonal festivals and other occasions the Lord is taken round in processions. Puja service has been rendered by Vaishnavas of Southern sect ( Thenkalai ) as per Pancharatra agama. Mantrapushpa, Vedaparayana and adhyay bhaga are performed by both sects ie Vadakalai and Thenkalai. In addition to this Madhwa Brahmins has the right to participate in Vedaparayana. The reciting of Madhva Purana and reading of Gajendra Moksha are the special privileges of madhvas.

9 days Brahmotsavam is conducted twice in a year during Tamil month masi. The Urchava Deity will be taken in procession to sea at Killai near Chidambaram about 3o miles from Srimushnam. When it passes through the Dargah, Muslims used to offer flowers and fruits.

Friday festival at Sri Ambujavalli Thayar sannidhi, Annual Celebration at Udayar Sannadhi, Krishna Jayanthi at Venugopalan Sannadhi, In the month of Aippasi ( October / November ) Pooradam – the jayanthi at Vishwaksena Sannadhi, Every month sravana, the idol of Vedanta Desika is taken out in procession, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Navarathri, Illumination ceremony known as Tiruvandikkappu at 100 pillared mandapam, Ramanavami at Chakravarthi Thirumagan sannadhi are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple may be contacted on the landline 04144 245 090 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is 36 Km from Chidambaram, 20 KM from Ulundurpet and 72 KM from District head quarters Cuddalore and nearest Railway station is Ulundurpet.

Srimushnam can be reached through the Anaikarai to Meensuruti road.. divert Vadalur on Chennai route at Sethiathoppu. You will reach Chozhatharam and from there Srimushnam is about 12 KM on Virudhachalam road.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE