VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple ( Brahma Koil ) / ஸ்ரீ வேதநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

Tuesday, 27 August 2024

Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple ( Brahma Koil ) / ஸ்ரீ வேதநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Veda Narayana Perumal Temple was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on 13^th July 2024. This Vedanarayana Perumal Temple is popularly known as the Brahma temple, where Brahma is with his consorts in a separate sannidhi.

Moolavar : Sri Vedanarayana Perumal.

Thayar : Sri Vedavalli Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch with stucco images of Sri Vedanaraya Perumal with his consorts Sridevi & Bhudevi, Brahma with Saraswati & Gayathri, and Narasimhar with Sridevi & Bhudevi. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and a Garudan sannidhi are under the open mandapam. The Mandapam ceiling has paintings of Lotus flowers and 12 rasis. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the common ardha mandapam.

In the sanctum, Sri Veda Narayana Perumal is in a standing posture facing east with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Urtsavars are in front of Moolavar.

On the Left sannidhi to the main Sannidhi facing North Direction, Brahma is standing with his consorts Saraswati and Gayathri. The nose stud is on the back of Brahma. Utsavamurti Gayathri has five heads.

On the right of the main sannidhi, facing the South Direction, is the Yoga Narasimhar sannidhi, where Yoga Narasimhar is in a sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

In praharam Andal, Thanvanthiri, Vishvaksenar, Srimath Venkata Rama Bhagavathar, Sri Venkatasoori Bhagavathar, and Sri Natana Gopala Nayaka Swamigal.

The praharam walls have the painting of the sthala purana. Ie, to increase the power of Brahma, to retrieve the lost power of creation and Gnanam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed in three kooda styles for Vedanarayana Perumal, Brahma, and Yoga Narasimhar on a common adhistanam and Padma peedam. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and Kapotam with Nasi kudus. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, plakai, and poo mottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari is not visible. The vimanam above Sri Vedanaraya Perumal Sannidhi is with two talas, greevam and sigaram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various forms and the Dasavatara are on the vimanam. The sigaram is of the vesara style. The vimanam above Brahma and Yoga Narasimhar sannidhis are of eka tala vesara vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the temple belonged to the Chozha period, 12^th to 13^th Century. Reconstructed during the Nayakas period.

The temple is being maintained by the Sourashtra Community.

Sourashtra Paripalana Committee conducted the Jeernotharana Ashta bandhana Maha Samprokshanam on 3^rd May 1974. Again, Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 09^th February 1998. During that time, with the funds saved, Thirupani was done to Andal Sannidhi, Venkatachalapathy Sannidhi, Vedanarayana Perumal temple outer wall, Mandapam roof with Concrete, and two houses for the service personnel of the temple.

Sourashtra Dharma Paripalana Committee 1912-2012, celebrated its 100^th year, and Sthala History was released on 17^th January 2016. Again, Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 24^th March 2021.

LEGENDS

As per the legends, to retrieve the Vedas, which he lost, Brahma, with Saraswati and Gayathri, asked Agni to create the Yagna Kund with Ani Jwala. Since Agni Jwala didn’t appear, Agni said that it was due to a deficiency in fulfilling the requirement. Saraswati perceived the reason and indicated with her hand that Brahma has 4 heads and Gayathri has 5 heads. Gayathri understood Saraswati’s indication; with her special power, she made to disappear the 5^th head disappear and appeared on Brahma’s 4^th head with the Nose stud. Due to this, Brahma’s 4^th head with Gayathri’s 5^th head started glowing with brightness. Saraswati indicated that the Man and Lady are equal while doing the Yagna. Maha Vishnu appeared from the Agni Jwala and blessed Brahma with Vabayaam (retrieve the lost), Hiyamaanaayaam (to make special the existing), and the power of creation to Brahma.

The back side of Brahma’s head with the nose stud (Gayathri’s 5^th Head) can be viewed through a Mirror fixed on the back side wall. This can be seen in the payment of Rs 50 for each person.

It is believed that the darshan of the nose stud of Brahma’s 4^th head will benefit the girls to get married, Child boon for the couples, elevation in the profession, increase life span, happy life, get back the lost wealth, etc.