The visit to this Sri Adhi Varadaraja Perumal
Temple, Melacavery, Kumbakonam, was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu temples visit on
08th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples
Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம்
வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09th March 2025. Thanks to Mrs. Vidhya, who accompanied me to this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Varadharaja Perumal
Thayar: Sri Perundevi Thayar
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces west with a three-tier Rajagopuram,
without any stucco images. Balipeedam and Garudan are under a 4-pillar mandapam
after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Ranganathar as Ananda Sayanar with
Brahma, Sri Devi, and Bhudevi are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Moolavar
Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a standing posture with Bhumi Neela and Sridevi. Alwars
are in the ardha mandapam. Krishna’s image is on the back side of the sanctum
koshta.
In the praharam, Sri Perundevi Thayar sannidhi faces
east. Thayar is standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Garudan and
Anjaneyar sannidhis are also in the praharam. A fragment inscription stone with
Chakra is worshipped as Chakarathalwar on the right side of the Thayar
sannidhi.
A ko sala is functioning inside the temple premises.
PC website
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha
mandapam, and the mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha
upanam. Bas-reliefs are on the gandam. The adhistanam consists of jagathy,
vrudha kumudam, and kapotam. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are
of Brahma kantha pilaster with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and
vettu / pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi
kudus and viyyalavari. A two-tala brick vimanam is on the bhumi desam. The
sigaram is of the vesara style. Maha Vishnu’s various avatar stucco images are on
the tala and greeva koshtams.
The Garudan mandapam was reconstructed using the
different available pillar stones.
Garuda Mandapa Pillar
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Most of the inscriptions are damaged. The temple
might have been constructed in the 12th to 13th Century during the Chozha period. Later, the same was reconstructed during the Maratha period.
A damaged structural part is being worshipped as Chakarathalwar
LEGENDS
Sri Varadaraja Perumal is also called Adhi Varadaraja Perumal, and it is believed that this temple was built earlier than the
other Maha Vishnu temples of Kumbakonam.
As per the legend, Matanga Rishi was on the way to
Kanchipuram for the darshan of the Garuda Seva of Athi Varadaraja Perumal. Due to the rain, he couldn’t go. To his prayer, Sri Varadaraja Perumal, along with his consorts
Bhumineela, Perundevi Thayar, and all celestial deities, came to Kumbakonam,
Melacavery, and gave Garuda Seva darshan to Matanga Rishi. Hence, this place is called Dakshina Kanchipuram.
This is a Mesha rasi and a parihara sthalam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
The temple comes under Oru Kala Pooja of HR &
CE, and the timing will be 10.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs. Apart from regular poojas,
special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi and some important Vaishnavite
functions. Vaikasi Visaka Brahmotsavam is celebrated grandly.
PC- website
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Archagar S Arun Prasad may be contacted on his
mobile number +919442820671 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The Sri
Adhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple, at Melacavery, is on the banks of the Kaveri River and 3.5 km from the Kumbakonam Railway Station.
The
nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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