Veera Raghava Swami Temple / Sri Vaidya Veera Raghava Swami Temple at Thiruvallur / Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th November 2019.

Veera Raghava Swami Temple at Thiruvallur (Thiruevvul) is the 59^th Divya Desam of 108 Divya Desams and one of the 22 Divya Desams of Tondaimandalam, ie North part of present Tamil Nadu. This place Tiruvallur is on the banks of Holy River Cooum. 

Sri Veera Raghava Swami was praised by Thirumazhisai  Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. Vedanta Desikar also composed a hymn in Sanskrit called Kim Grihesha Stuti about this place. Ramalinga Vallalar also composed a hymn called “Thirupanchagam” on Sri Veera Raghava Swami of this temple.

காசை ஆடை மூடி ஓடி காதல் செய்தானவன் ஊர்

        நாசமாக நம்ப வல்ல நம்பி நம்பெருமான்

வெயினன்ன தோள் மடவார் வெண்ணை உண்டான் இவனென்று

        ஏச நின்ற எம்பெருமான் எவ்வுள் கிடந்தானே!!

முன்னோர் தூது வானரத்தின் வாயில் மொழிந்து அரக்கன்

        மன்னூர் தன்னை வாளியினால் மாள முனிந்து அவனே

பின்னோர் தூதாகி மன்னர்காகி பெரு நிலத்தார்

        இன்னார் தூதன் என நின்றான் எவ்வுள் கிடந்தானே!

                                                             ...........திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பாசுரம்

நாகத் தணைக்குடந்தை வெகா திருவெவ்வுள்,

நாகத் தணையரங்கம் பேரன்பில், - நாகத்

தணைப்பாற் கடல்கிடக்கு மாதி நெடுமால்,

அணைப்பார் கருத்தனா வான்.

…. திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார் ( 2417 )

Moolavar  : Sri Vaidhya Veera Raghava Swami

Thayar     : Sri Kanakavalli also called as Vasumathi

Some of the important details are….

The temple is facing east with a recently built arch. Sri Anjaneyar ( Siriya Thiruvadi ) sannadhi is immediately after the entrance arch. There are two numbers of 4 pillar mandapas and a 16-pillar mandapa before the 5 Tier Rajagopuram. The 16 Pillar mandapa and Rajagopuram are connected with a recently built concrete mandapa. Balipeedam, Dwajasthampam and Garudalwar are in front of the open mukha mandapa. Moolavar is in Bhujanga Sayanam on Adhiseshan keeping his head on the south side. Only perfumed sandal oil is used for abhishekam.

In the outer prakaram Madapalli, Alwars, Sri Kanakavalli Thayar also called as Vasumathi, Velli kizhamai mandapam (வெள்ளிக்கிழமை மண்டபம்), Ramar Sannidhi, Venugopalan Sannidhi, Thulabaram, Stucco images of Sthala purana/ varalaru ( History of the temple ), Kalyana mandapam, Nammalwar Sannidhi, Andal Sannidhi, Thirukachi Nambigal sannadhi, Bhashyakarar Sannadhi ( Ramanujar ) and 3 nos of 4 pillar mandapas. There is also a sannidhi for Sri Adi Van Satagopan, the 1^st Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt on the left side, near the Rajagopuram. In the  inner prakaram Vinayagar as Thumbikai Alwar, Lakshmi Narasimhar and Chakkarathalwar.

ARCHITECTURE.

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum is rectangular in shape to accommodate Sri Veera Raghava Perumal’s Bhujanga Sayana kolam on Adhiseshan. Brahma is from his naval. Perumal’s head is on the south side keeping his legs pointing towards the north. The Left hand is bent at the elbow and stretched towards Brahma. His right hand is stretched outwards and rests on a support. Salihotra Muni is seen in a kneeling posture with palms pressed in supplication. Perumal wears only checkered cloth as Salihotra Muni had originally offered to Perumal as a bark garment. The Vimana over the sanctum is called Vijayakodi vimana.

The sanctum sanctorum is built with Padma Bandha Adhistanam and the walls are with pilasters and Kumba Pancharam. The koshtas are empty now.  Most of the structures belong to the Vijayanagara period and the Pallava period temple might have been reconstructed. The Vellikizhamai mandapa (வெள்ளிக்கிழமை மண்டபம்) pillars are sculpted out of Black granite.

On the banks of pushkarini sannadhis for Navaneetha Krishna and  Bhuvaraha. The Brindavanam of the first 5 Jeeyar’s of Ahobila mutt is on the banks of pushkarini.

 Vellikizhamai mandapa ( வெள்ளிக்கிழமை மண்டபம் ) 

 Ramar Sannidhi

 Sanctum wall

 Sanctum wall with Kumbh Panjara

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Since this temple was praised by the 6^th to 9th-century Alwars, it is believed that the temple was built before the 9^th century. The temple also has 9^th Century Pallava Period, Rajendra Chozha-I's 11^th century, Vijayanagara, and 17^th Century Ahobila mutt inscriptions.

The 9^th Century Pallava period inscription on a step leading to the pushkarini records the endowments made for burning a perpetual lamp and feeding a person who cleans the temple.

The 11^th Century Rajendra Chozha-I inscription on the south wall of the Sanctum Sanctorum records the gift of land for conducting the festivals to the deity Pallikondarulina Emberuman of Thiruevvul. The fragmentary Chozha inscriptions speak about donations made towards repairs and conducting a festival in the month of Vaikasi by a devotee.

The temple is under the maintenance of Ahobila Mutt. The 1530 CE Vira Venkata Raya –II of Vijayanagara period inscription mentions  Vira Raghava Satakopa Jeeyar (1630 to 1675 CE ), who was the 13^th pontiff of Ahobila mutt donated gold to this temple and interest to be used for celebrating functions for the moolavar and Thayar.

The Thayar sannidhi was built or renovated during the Vijayanagara period and the royal emblem  of the Boar with Sword, Sun, and Moon is sculpted on the north side wall of the Thayar Sannidhi.

In 1946, during 42^nd Jeeyar’s period Sri Nikamantha maha Desikan Sannadhi Kalyana mandapam was built by Andalammal, wife Duraisamy Pillai, son of Chennai Rotti kidangku Kishta Pillai.

In June 1959, after completing the renovation of Rajagopuram Jeernodhara was conducted during the 44^th  Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt period at a cost of Rupees 30000. The work was started during the 43^rd Jeeyar of the Ahobila mutt period.

July 1998, the 45^th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt period Maha Samprokshanam was performed after completing the renovations of Rajagopuram, Thayar Sannidhi, and Moolavar Vimanam.

In 2001 during the 45^th Jeeyar of the Ahobila Mutt period, a mandapam was built between Rajagopuram and 16 pillar mandapam to facilitate Devotees to stay and Urchavar’s processions.

In June 2015, under the 46^th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt period after completing maintenance works of all sannadhis, Front arch, Anjaneyar Sannidhi, Roofs of all sannidhis, Rain water harvesting, Neerazhi mandapam & Temple tank/pushkarini maha Samprokshanam was conducted.

Ref

South Indian Inscriptions and the Inscriptions tablets fixed on the wall. 

LEGENDS

The Salihotra Muni who was born after his father had done the Saliyagna Yaga on Maha Vishnu, came to this sacred place, took a bath in the temple tank on Thai Amavasai ( no moon ) day, and performed penance on Lord Vishnu. After the penance,e he offered the two parts of the Prasad which includes his share also to the old man who came as Athithi. This incident happened for two years in succession. The old man after eating wants to take a rest, asked Salihotra Muni for the right place ( evvul ) for him to rest. The Muni offered his hermitage and bark garment. The old man lay down Keeping his head on the south side, pointing his legs towards the north. The Old man who came as Athithi, revealed himself to be Lord Vishnu and blessed Salihotra Muni.

It is believed that those who take a bath in the temple tank on new moon day (the Temple tank spreads over 7 acres and is called Hrith-tapa-nasini) and worship Sri Veeraraghava Swami, will get cured of deceases & ailments and get rid of the sins of the previous birth. The Devotees used to offer the vellam (a product made out of sugar cane juice) and dissolve it in the pushkarini as a prayer.  The people also offer Salt and pepper after their wishes are fulfilled. Hence Lord Vishnu is called Vaidhya Veera Raghava Swami.

When Vishnu as Veera Narayanan, went hunting,  Thirumangai Alwar praised him as  Veeraraghavan (Sri Ramar). Markandeya Purana describes Perumal as “Kim Hrigesan”.

Originally this place Thiruvallur was called Punyavrata Kshetram, Veeksharanya Kshetram (This signifies that if you do a good deed, it will grow to 1000 times), and Thiruevvul.

Sri Veeraraghava Swami gave moksha to a deaf and dumped Andhanar. Before his last breath, he shouted twice that Perumal had come to take him to Vaikunth, wearing silk clothes.

Sthala Purana

FESTIVALS:

Apart from regular festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Navratri, 10 days Brahmotsavams are held during Thai ( January – February ) and Chithirai ( June – July ).

3 days of Theppotsavam ( Float festival ) will also be conducted  during Ani ( June- July ) and Masi ( February – March ), both starting from the new moon day.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs. 
Darshan can be done from 06.00 hrs to 7.30 hrs, 08.45 hrs to 11.00 hrs, 11.25 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and 18.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple land line +914427660738 and the mobile number +919789419330, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is at the center of Tiruvallur City and the stop is known as Theradi.

The temple is about 45 KM from Chennai, 32 KM from Arakkonam, and 52 KM from Kanchipuram.

Chennai to Tirupati bus passes through this place and frequent buses are available from T Nagar, Poonamallee, Arakkonam, etc. 

The nearest Railway station is Tiruvallur and the temple is about 3.3 KM.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Vijayakjodi Vimana

Salt and pepper offered as prayer

 Herds man one of the icon sculptures of Vijayanagara's with cattle

 Vellikizhamai mandapa pillars of black stone

Vijayanagara emblem on Thayar Sannidhi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Veera Anjaneya Swamy Temple / Kakkalur Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Kakkalur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th November 2019.

வானர சேனையின் தலைவனாம் அவன்

வானோர்க்கெல்லாம் பிரியனாம்

வந்தவர்கெல்லாம் அருள்வானாம்

வடைமாலைக்கு அவன் மகிழ்வானாம்        ( வா )

வெண்ணையும் தேனும் அபிஷேகம்

சென்றோர்க்கெல்லாம் அங்கு ஆனந்தம்

செந்தூரமே நமக்கு அங்கு பிரசாதம்          ( வா )

வெற்றிலை மாலையும் கேட்பானாம்

வெற்றியும் அருளும் கொடுப்பானாம்

வேண்டிய வரம் நமக்கு அளிப்பானாம்

வேண்டியபோது வந்து களிப்பானாம்          ( வா )

வருக வருக என்று அழைத்தாலே அவன்

வந்து நிற்பான் நம் முன்னாலே              ( வா )

காகசுரம் என்னும் பட்டினமாம் அங்கு

காகாசுரனை வென்றனராம் இன்று

காக்களூர் என்ற பெயரிலே வந்து

நமக்கு அருள் அவன் தந்தனனே             ( வா )

அத்திரி முனிவரும் வந்தனரே அங்கு

அற்புதங்கள் பல கண்டனரே

அகஸ்திய முனிவரும் வந்தனரே அவன்

அழகைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்தனரே               ( வா )

நாமும் அவன் அடிபணிவோமே அவன்

சக்தியை என்றும் பெறுவோமே              ( வா )

…………….பூஜ்யாய ராகவேந்திரர்

This Anjaneyar Temple is at Kakkalur Village once, now it is a part of Tiruvallur/Thiruvallur city. The place Kakkalur is on the banks of the Holy river Cooum. Kakkalur was called as Kakasuram. Tiruvallur was called Thiruevvul during the 6th to 9th Centuries. As per the sthala purana of Sri Vaidhya Veeraghava Swami Temple, this place obtained the name of  Thiruevvul, which got corrupted to the present name of Tiruvallur.

Moolavar: Veera Anjaneya Swami

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east. A Vinayagar Temple is on the right side and a Neem & Peepal tree is in front. Under this is the nagars. The sanctum sanctorum is built with a sanctum, antarala, and an open mukha mandapa.  

Moolavar Sri Veera Anjaneyar is about 8 to 9 feet high and made out of granite stone. The Veera Anjaneyar is a combination of Idol and bas relief.  He is facing north and the tail goes above his head and the bell is tied at the end. He wears a kangana on both hands. The right hand is in abhaya hastha and the left hand holds the Sowgandhika flower. He wears 3 ornaments over his neck. The tuft is neatly tied. The positions of the feet are seen forward, ever ready to help us.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE.

It is believed that the Veera Anjaneya idol was installed by Vyasaraja (1460 – 1539 CE ) also known as Chandrikacharya and Vyasatirtha. He was a Madhva scholar and a poet,  who followed the Dvaita school of Vaishnavism.  He was also a patron of the Vijayanagara Empire. During Vijayanagara Empire rule he visited many places in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and installed 732 Anjaneyar idols and this is one of them. Also, it was a practice that Vijayanagara kings established Anjaneyar Temples wherever they went. 

Poojyaya Raghavendra Tirtha (1595 to 1671 CE) also visited this temple and worshiped Veera Anjaneyar. He composed hymns in praise of Anjaneyar and the hymns is written at the beginning of this article.

As per the 10-02-1989 inscription, maha Samprokshanam was conducted along with a donation of Urchavar through Chennai Mint Street, Sri Ramar Koil Kaingarya Bhakta Jana Saba.

The 14-06-2009 inscription mentions Anjaneyar as Sanjeevi Rayar alias Anjaneyar and Kumbhabhishekam was performed.

The temple is maintained by the local Madhwa community and poojas are done as per Madhva tradition. In addition to this, the Vinayagar temple is also maintained by them with the income from the devotees.

LEGEND:

As per the legend Veera Anjaneyar killed Kakasuran, a demon, hence the place obtained the Name as Kakkalur.

FESTIVALS:

Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in a grand manner apart from regular festivals.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 15.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile number +919789292700 and landline number +9144 27661624 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is 3 KM from Sri Vaidya Veeraraghava Swamy temple of Tiruvallur  and about 750 meters from Putlur Railway station of Chennai to Arakkonam Train route.

The temple is 38 KM from Arakkonam Junction, 45  KM from Chennai, and 55 KM from Kanchipuram.

The Nearest Railway Junction is Arakkonam and Local Trains will stop at Tiruvallur from there Kakkalur is about 3 KM.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Putlur Angala Parameshwari Amman Temple / Arulmigu Sri Poongavanathamman alias Sri Angala Parameshwari Amman Temple, Putlur / Ramapuram, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

 10^th November 2019.

A problem in Childbirth ?…  Pray to Poongavanathamman with lemon and Amman will take care of the rest…

This is the second visit to the Amman Temple at Putlur on 10^th November 2019, after a long gap of 23 years. The Putlur is a part of Tiruvallur on the banks of the Holy River Cooum. Found a sea of change in the temple and the road leading to the Temple. During our earlier visit, the temple was with a small sanctum. On Sunday, 10^th November more than 5000 devotees thronged the temple for darshan. Regulated with barricade queues are formed for entry tickets Rs 20 and 50. The streets are flooded with shops that sell the cradle, bangles, lemon, Kumkum, and other pooja materials. There are many astrology centers also opened on the street which leads to the temple. Since ma Parvathi manifests herself in the form of ant hill – Putru ( புற்று ), this place was called Putlur, which got corrupted to the present name of Putlur.

Moolavar : Sri Poongavanathamman also called as

         Sri Angala Parameshwari Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces south on the north side of the Putlur Halt Railway station road and the temple tank is on the south side. A Trident made of brass is installed in front of the mandapam. An ant hill with a neem tree is on the left side of the entrance. Nagars, Karumari, Murugan, and Vinayagar are near the ant hill. A lot of cradles are tied on the neem tree, as the prayer is fulfilled. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi are in the open mukha mandapam. ( It is believed that Lord Shiva is Thandavarayan and ma Parvathi in the form of anthill / putru, in this temple, hence Nandhi is installed ). 

In the maha mandapam, Subramaniyar, Madurai Veeran, Yazhi Dwarapalakis on both sides and Vinayagar. At the entrance of the sanctum top, instead of Gajalakshmi, Amman is at the center and simhas are on both sides. There is a thulabharam / scale also in the mandapam. Devotees used to offer sugar/ Sugarcane / Banana, equal to their weight after the prayer was fulfilled. In the sanctum, a small Amman idol and Thandavarayan with a sorrowful face are installed in a niche-like small room.

At the center of the sanctum an anthill/putru shaped in the form of an Amman with an open mouth ( like crying due to pregnancy labor pain ), delicately small pretty eyebrows, legs, hands, and a pregnant belly. The head is on the north side and the legs are pointing towards the south ( Amman is not exactly North-South but a little skewed towards the east). Metal barricade with wire mesh is installed around the Amman, leaving a little space to circumambulate. This is the only temple where Amman manifests herself in the natural form of anthill. Hence abhishekam is not done. A Cotton saree is wrapped around her leaving the face for the darshan.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum, a maha mandapam, a mukha mandapam, and on the left a big mandapam (to do the seemantham/marriage functions). The Mandapam before the sanctum sanctorum pillars reminds the antiquity of this temple at least 500 to 600 years old. But the antiquity look was lost due to tiles fixed on the floors and walls.

Entrance top  instead of Gaja Lakshmi, Amman with Simhas

PRAYER & OFFER FOR CHILDBIRTH/ CHILD BOON

It is believed that after praying Arulmigu Sri Poongavanathamman, will get a child boon. The procedure is very simple. Buy 5 lemons and bangles from the shop. As you enter the Temple gate there will be many old ladies who perform the casting of the evil eye,  ie they will circle the lemon around the head of the lady who came for the child boon, called eye Tishri. The lady will drop the lemon and ask to crush it with her leg.  Then the devotee has to pierce the 3 lemons on the trident/Trishul installed before the Dwajasthambam, before entering the sanctum sanctorum. Then the Lady Devotee has to tie a piece of cloth from her Saree. In the sanctum, after circumambulation, the Ppoojari will take the 5^th lemon place it on Amman’s leg smear it with Kumkum, and give it back to the Devotee, who came for the Child boon. The Devotee has to take it on her saree front or pallu. The Poojari will also take the bangles and give others as Prasad. This is practiced when the crowd is large. If there is no crowd, the Poojari will pace the Lemon on the Amman’s leg which will be rolled down. The Devotee lady has to catch the same through her saree front/pallu. After the wish is fulfilled the ladies used to conduct the seemantham at this temple. As a part of Thanksgiving Devotees used to offer a Saree, Lemon, Pongal, a Variety of rice ( seemantha sadhams ), Bangles, and flower jadai will be offered to Amman.

PC: Website

 Anthill with cradles offered by the devotees 

Cradles tied to the neem tree

LEGENDS

There are many stories/ sthala purana that revolve around this temple. One such story is… Lord Shiva with Parvathi from Melmalayanur in the form of an aged man and woman, traveled north. They were become tired and hungry after walking from a long distance through the forest. On reaching Ramapuram ( Putlur ) Parvathi asked Shiva to get some water to drink. So Lord Shiva went to fetch water from the Holy river Cooum, leaving Parvathi at Poongavanam. It was raining heavily when he reached and the river was flooded. He waited to subside the flood. Tired, thirsty, and hungry Parvati lay on the ground. An anthill was grown on her and covered completely.  On return, Lord Shiva had seen the anthill on the place where he left his consort, Parvati. Feeling sad Lord Shiva stood there as Thandavarayan. Since ma Parvati manifests herself in the form of ant hill – Putru ( புற்று ), this place was called Putlur, which got corrupted to the present name of Putlur.

     

Another story goes like this …

A Farmer by name Ponmeni got a loan from Mahisuran and couldn’t pay the interest. So Mahisuran forced Ponmeni to plough the Poongavanam land and water it in one night. Knowing, it was a difficult task he prayed his kula Deivam Mariamman and started the ploughing. Lord Shiva and Parvati as Angalamman from Melmalayanur came to this place as an old man and a pregnant woman. When the old man asked the farmer, some water to drink, Ponmeni went out to fetch the water. On return, he couldn’t see the old man and woman. Ponmeni continued plowing and his plough hit at one place and blood came at a force like a jet. When the place was excavated he had seen Amman in the form of an anthill in lay down posture and heard a voice. It said that the ant hill is the  Amman, Parvati. From that day onwards the Villagers started Pooja to this Amman. Since Amman was excavated from Poongavanam, Amman is called Poongavanathamman.

FESTIVALS:

Apart from regular poojas special poojas will be conducted on Aadi month Fridays, Maha Shivaratri, and Masi maham mayana kollai. The annual festival will be celebrated during Aadi month and a special event the “Iruttu Kumbam” function also will be held. During that time, all the lights will be switched off for 2 minutes.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 14.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs. On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays the temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr. Jeevan +91 8610948449 may be contacted for Poojas, Thulabaram, etc, on his mobile number. 

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 750 meters from Putlur Railway Station and 3 KM from Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Swamy Temple.

The temple is 38 KM from Arakkonam Junction, 45  KM from Chennai, and 55 KM from Kanchipuram.

The Nearest Railway Junction is Arakkonam and Local Trains will stop at Putlur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Seemandha functions

 Seemandha functions

 Seemandha functions

Seemandha functions

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---