A Wandering Heritager: VEERA RAGHAVA SWAMI TEMPLE / SRI VAIDYA VEERA RAGHAVA SWAMI TEMPLE, AT THIRUVALLUR / THIRUEVVUL / TIRUVALLUR, TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

10^th November 2019.

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

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

Moolavar : Sri Vaidhya Veeraghava 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. Balipedam, Dwajasthampa and Garudalwar are in front of the open mukha mandapa. Moolavar is in bhujanga sayana on Adhisheshan 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 Sannadhi, Venugopalan Sannadhi, Thulabaram, Stucco images of Sthala purana/ varalaru ( History of the temple ), Kalyanamandapam, Nammalwar Sannadhi, Andal Sannadhi, Thirukachi Nambikal sannadhi, Bhashyakarar Sannadhi ( Ramanujar ) and 3 nos of 4 pillar mandapas. There is also a sannadhi for Sri Adi Van Satakopan, the 1^st Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt on the left side, near the Rajagopuram. In the inner prakaram Vinayagar as Thumbikai Alwar, Lakshmi Narashimhar and Chakarathalwar.

ARCHITECTURE.

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

The sanctum sanctorum is built with padmabandha adhisthana and walls are with pilasters and Kumba pancharam. The koshtas are empty now. Most of the structures belongs to Vijayanagara period and pallava period temple might have been re-constructed. The Vellikizhamai mandapa ( வெள்ளிக்கிழமை மண்டபம் ) pillars are sculpted out of Black granite.

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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Since this temple was praised by the 6^th to 9^th century Alwars, it is believed that the temple was built before 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 speaks about donation made towards repairs and conducting festival in the month of Vaikasi by a devotee.

The temple is under the maintenance of Ahobila mutt. The 1530AD Vira Venkata Raya –II of Vijayanagara period inscription mentions Vira Raghava Satakopa Jeeyar (1630 to 1675AD ), 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 sannadhi was built or renovated during Vijayanagara period and royal emblem of Boar with Sword, Sun and Moon are sculpted on the north side wall of Thayar Sannadhi.

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 44^th Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt period at a cost of Rupees 30000. The work was started during 43^rd Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt period.

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

In 2001 during 45^th Jeeyar of 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 46^th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt period after completing maintenance works of all sannadhis, Front arch, Anjaneyar Sannadhi, Roofs of all sannadhis, Rain water harvesting, Neerazhi mandapam & Temple tank / pushkarini maha samproksahan was conducted.

LEGEND:

The Salihotra Muni who was born after his father had done the Saliyagna Yaga on Maha Vishnu, came to this sacred place, took bath in the temple tank on Thai Amavasai ( no moon ) day and performed penance on Lord Vishnu. After the penance 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 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 north. The Old man who came as Athithi, revealed himself to be Lord Vishnu and blessed Salihotra Muni.

It is believed that those whose take bath in the temple tank on new moon day ( the Temple tank spreads in 7 acres and called as Hrith-tapa-nasini ) and worship Sri Veeraghava Swami, will get cured from 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 as Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swami.

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

Originally this place Thiruvallur was called as 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 dump Andhanar. Before his last breath, he shouted twice that Perumal has come to take him to Vaikunth, wearing silk clothes.

FESTIVALS:

Apart from regular festivals like Vaikunda Ekadesi, Navarathiri, 10 days brahmotsavams are held during Thai ( January – February ) and Chithrai ( June – July ).

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
Dharshan 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 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.

Nearest Railway station is Tiruvallur and the temple is about 3.3 KM.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE