The visit
to this Sri Varatharaja Perumal Temple at Siruvapuri was a part of “Gajaprishta
Vimana Temples visit – Part-2 on 07th May 2023. This
place Siruvapuri is now called as Chinnambedu, on the south side of River
Arani.
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Moolavar : Sri Varadharaja Perumal
Consort : Sri Perundevi Thayar
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple complex is facing west with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on the east side. The
complex consists of an east facing Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and west facing
Varadharaja Perumal Temple.
In
the inner praharam / mandapam, sannidhi for Venugopala. Venu Gopala is in
standing posture with 4 hands. Holding sankha and chakra. Rukmmini is standing
next to him. Thirumanjanam will be done on Rohini nakshtra day.
In
the outer praharam, Perundevi Thayar, Chakrathalwar ( Chakrathalwar is carved
out of a stone slab on both sides and there is no Narashimha ), Hanuman and
Andal. Thayar and Andal sannidhis are facing east in separate temples.
Perundevi
Thayar Sannidhi mukha mandapam pillar bas-reliefs are little different from the
Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Sri Varadharaja Perumal mandapam pillars. The bas
reliefs are the combination of Vaishnava and Jain Sculptures. The Jain
bas-reliefs are Prashvanathar, Tirthankaras. How did these Jain bas-reliefs
came to a Vishnu temple is not known.
Srinivasa Perumal Temple…..
Srinivasa Perumal is little tall facing east with 4 hands, holding sankha and
Chakra in the upper hands, lower right hand is in abhaya hastan and left hand
is in uru hastam with a gada / mace. Sridevi and Bhudevi ( Ubhaya Nachiyar )are on both sides along
with Nagars. Theese nagars are considered as Adiseshan. There is no Utsava
murtis in front of the moolavar. Thirumanjanam is done on every pournami day. Alwars
are in antarala.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple ….
This temple is facing west with Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram, Balipeedam and
Periya Thiruvadi / Garudan. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum
Sanctorum. Sri Devi and Bhudevi are with Varadharaja Perumal. Moolavar is made
of stucco. Moolavar is in standing posture, holding sankha and Chakra in the
upper hands and lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is in uru
hastam. Moolavar is a theenda thirumeni ie, priests do not touch the moolavar.
Since the moolavar is made of stucco Thailakappu is done once in a year on
Karthigai Deepam day ( Nov – December ). On that day only curd rice is offered as
a naivedyam. Utsavamurti Varadar is in
front of Moolavar along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Varadar is in abhaya varada
hastam. Perundevi Thayar Utsava murti is also in this sannidhi. Thirumanjanam
is done on every amavasya day.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal sannidhi
… This sannidhi is in the ardha mandapam of Sri Varadharaja Perumal sannidhi
facing south. Lakshmi Narayana is with 4
hands, holding sankha and chakra in the upper hands and lower right hand is in
abhaya hastam and left hand is holding Lakshmi, who seated on the left lap of
Narayanar. The sannidhi koshtams do not have any images.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was constructed with stone from adhisthanam to Prastaram. Sri
Varadharaja Perumal sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam. The prastaram consists
of Valapi with madhalai and kapotam. The
3 tier Vimanam above the prastaram is of sala style with 5 kalasas. The
vimanam is called as Puniyakodi Vimanam. The niches / koshtams do not have any
images, instead the east koshtam has the inscription stone.
The
Maha mandapa was built during Vijayanagara period. The pillars has the bas
reliefs like Lakshmi Hayagreeva, Rama, Vira Anjaneya, Thirivikrama, Vamana with
Mabali Chakravarthi, Rama, Narasimha coming out of the Pillar, Vijayanagara period iconic relief of Herder,
Dwarapalakas painted with golden Colour, etc.
The
inner mandapa also has the bas reliefs of Maha Vishnu’s various avatars,
Gandabrunda, etc,.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that this temple exists since Pallva period, considering the stucco
image of the moolavar. Latter the temple received contributions from Chozhas
and Vijayanagaras. Other than this there is no evidence to prove its antiquity.
The
inscription on the east side niche / koshtam of the Sri Varadharaja
Perumal temple belongs to 1903, February
month. The inscription records the starting the construction of this Sri Bhumi
Neela Samedha Sri Vardaharaja Peumal temple vimanam by Paiyyur Kottam
Chinnambedu Village Mirasudhars.
LEGENDS
As
per sthalapurana Rama’s son Lava and Kusa were taught archery by the sage
Valmiki in this place. They also worshipped Sri Varadharaja Perumal of this
temple.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas are done as per vaikhanasa agama special poojas are
conducted on Brahmotsavam and Garuda
seva ( same time and day of Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple –
Vaikasi Visakam ), Venugopala Sri
jayanthi, Pavitrotsavam in Avani, Karthigai Deepam, 10days Navaratri Utsavam,
and Kalyana Utsavam in March.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple opening and closing times are un predictable.
HOW TO REACH
CMBT
Buses are available from Periyapalayam, Ponneri, Redhills etc.
The
place Siruvapuri is about 3.0 KM from Siruvapuri Bus stand on Chennai –
Kolkatta national High way. 13 KM from Ponneri railway Station, 18.2 KM from
Redhills, 26 KM from Madhavaram Bus Terminus and 35 KM from Koyambedu bus
terminus and Chennai Central Station.
Nearest
Railway station is Ponneri.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Vamana - Vijayanagara iconic Herdsman - Rishis with mohini
Ramar - Narasimhar
Dwarapalakas
Not the Koshta image - a billi - cat
Tirthankaras - in the thayar mandapam, how it came to a vishnu temple..?
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