G My note- It is very rare to have Lord Siva in a Perumal temple as sub deity and this legend is appearing to me as most appropriate . KR All Perumal temples will have Siva as at least a lingam below the perumal hand; Puranas make siva as searching for perumal and Perumal searching for Shiva stories. SriRangam TVM temple will have those lingams. KR IRS 29724
On Mon, 29 Jul 2024 at 04:24, Gopala Krishnan <gopa4...@gmail.com> wrote: > VEERARAGHAVA SWAMY TEMPLE-TIRUVALLUR > > TAMILNADU- Compiled > > Dear friends, > > I had been to the temple with my family members , about two years back. > Here the deity of Perumal is in lying form. Since he was feeling cold, he > desired a bed sheet, and as such the deity is covered with a cloth from the > chest area till feet. This was told by the temple priest on my visit. > > The temple is maintained by vadakalai iyengars. The deity cures deceases > and most visit the temple for curing of ailments. The temple pond is by the > side, and water is salty and it was told dinking a small quantity of water > from the pond will cure deceases. > > Since our visit was in summer it was almost dry. It is a very old temple > and as such the appearance also. Temple is medium crowded. This posting is > a compilation of information from different websites. Hope a divine > reading > > Gopalakrishnan Dated 29-07-2024 > > 1 Brief information -Veeraraghava Swamy Temple > > Deity Sri Veeraraghava Swami (Vaidhya Veera Raghava Swami) (Vishnu) > with Kanakavalli Thayar (Vasumathi) > > Festivals Vaikunta Ekadasi, Ammavasai > > Tower: Vijayakoti Vimanam > > Temple tank: Hritayathabhanasini Pushkarni > > Architecture Type Dravidian architecture > > Creators Pallavas, Cholas, Thanjavur Nayaks > > 2 Introduction > > Veeraraghava Swamy Temple (or Veerarghavaswamy Temple) is a temple > dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, located in Tiruvallur, near Chennai > Metropolitan City. Temple is having South Dravidian style of architecture. > The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil > canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. > > It is counted as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. > Vishnu is worshipped as Veeraraghava Perumal, and his consort Lakshmi as > Kanakavalli Thayar. > > The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and enshrined > within a granite wall. > > The complex contains all the shrines and Hritayathabhanasini, the temple > tank, is located to the west of the temple. A Goshala (cow shed) is > maintained by the temple administration. > > Veeraraghava Perumal is believed to have appeared to marry his consort > Lakshmi in the place. > > The temple observes six daily rituals and three yearly festivals. The > chariot festival and float festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of > Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent festival of the temple. > > The jeers of Sri Ahobila Matha are the hereditary trustees. The temple is > maintained and administered by the Ahobila Matha. > > 3 Legends > > Markandeya Purana details the history of the temple. A sage named > Salihotra had his hermitage in this place. He used to grind rice for a > living and offered half of the flour to the seekers and used to consume the > rest himself. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. > > To test his devotion, Vishnu appeared as a guest to him one day. He > requested Salihotra to offer him food, which the sage did. The guest felt > hungry and requested the sage to offer more food. The sage offered the > other half portion of the flour which he used to consume himself. > > The guest asked a place to rest and the sage readily offered his > hermitage. On arriving at the hermitage, the guest revealed his true form > and blessed the sage. > > According to another legend, Vishnu appeared in the place to marry > Lakshmi, who was born as the daughter of Dilipa, the king of > Dharmasenapura. He appeared in the place and married her. The place is > also called Thiruevvul and Veshranniem. > > A third legend is , Shiva was not invited by Daksha, the father of > Dakshyani and wife of Siva for a big yagna (sacrifice). Siva, in his anger, > opened his third eye out of which Virabhadra was created. He was directed > by Siva to kill Daksha and he followed his orders. Siva incurred > Brahmahatti Dosham on account of the execution. > > He was directed to the sacred tank of the temple to propitiate himself off > the sins. The shrine of Siva in the form of Theertheswarar on the northern > banks of the temple is believed to be place where Siva cleansed himself. > > My note- It is very rare to have Lord Siva in a Perumal temple as sub > deity and this legend is appearing to me as most appropriate . > > 4 History > > The temple is originally believed to have been built by the Pallavas > during the 8th century. There are inscriptions dating back to the later > half of the 9th century Pallava dynasty reign here. > > There are inscriptions in the temple from the period of Kulothunga Chola > I (1070-1122 CE) indicating gift of 1000 kulis of land by Tiruvenkatadeva > to the temple. The inscriptions from the eastern wall of the Vahanamandap > indicates gift of 130 pons of gold by Veera Raghava Sadagoppa Jiyar, the > thirteenth seer of Ahobila Matha to the temple during 1630-1675. > > There are inscriptions indicating gift of lands to the temple by > Vijayanagara kings were Ramadeva Maharaya (1620–1630), Narasimha Deva, Vira > Venkatapathi Rayadeva Maharayar and Sri Venkatarayadeva Mahakavi, > Kulothunga Deva and Rajendra I. > > There are also inscriptions referring to the gift of lands for conducting > various festivals by other kings in the region like Maduranthaka Deva, > Sadasiva Maharaya (1542–1570), Rama Deva Raya (1617–1632) and Venkata III > (1632-42). > > The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity and is believed to > be initiated by the Pallavas of the late 8th century CE, with later > contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks. > > The temple has three inscriptions dating from the Chola period. > > Most scholars believe that the major structures of the temple were built > by Vijayanagar kings during 14th century. There is an inscription on the > Eastern wall in 1542 CE indicating grants to the temple by Thanjai nayak > kings. The temple is one among the 108 divya desams of vaishnavas and a > part of Thondai Nadu divyadesams. > > 5 About the temple > > The temple is under the administration of Ahobila Matha. It has five > tiered Rajagopuram (main Ganesha, Alvars, and Gajalakshmi Thayar.) > > There are also shrines to Ganesha, Gopalan, Nammalvar, Chakratalvar, Andal, > Vedanta Desika, Ramanujacharyar, and Lakshmi Narasimhar. > > 6 Deities > > The presiding deity Veeraraghava swamy is in a recumbent position (called > Bhujanga sayanm) facing east. > > His right hand blesses the sage Salihotra and left hand in gnana mudra > preaches to Brahma. The deity of Veera-raghava is lying on Adi Sesa, with > Lord Brahma coming out from his navel. > > The Vimanam (pyramidal roof over the sanctum) is called Vijayakoti > Vimanam as it is a symbol of victory against Madhukaidapas asuras who were > killed by Vishnu. > > The Thayar is called Kanakavalli (also known by the name Vasumati) and her > shrine is located parallel to the sanctum. > > There are shrines of Alvars, Ranganatha and Hanuman located around the > sanctum in the first precinct. > > The sacred tank is called Hrutatapanasini. > > The presiding deity Veeraraghava Perumal is believed to cure diseases of > his devotees and hence he is called "Vaithiya Veeraraghavan". There is a > small shrine for Shiva in this temple premises. > > The temple tank, Hritayathabhanasini, is located to the West of the temple > and is believed to have medicinal effects. There is an ornate four pillared > black stone hall called Vellikilamai mandapam where the festival image of > the presiding deities are displayed every Friday. > > In the north west is the Kanakavalli thayar sannidhi. There are also > shrines to Nammalwar,Vedanta Desikar,Andal, Ramanujacharyar,Lakshmi > Narasimha > > 6a Procedure of praying deities > > First we pray to the Ganapathy called Thumbikai Azhwar . Then at Perumal > Sannidhi. Behind Perumal sannidhi is Narasimhar and Chakrathazhwar on > either side. > > Then there id Thayar sannidhi. Kanakavalli Thayar was decked with > jewellery and flowers looking beautiful. Then in sannidhis of Aandal, > Venugopalan and Kothandaramar with Seetha, Lakshmanan and Hanuman. Lord > Siva and other deities. > > 7 Religious importance > > Vishnu as Veera Raghavar is the presiding deity of the Veera Raghavar > temple. He is also called Vaidya Veera Raghavar, in view of his ailment > curing abilities. > > In this temple people submit small metal sheets with a specific human > organ engraved on them as a request to god to cure the illness or problems > with those organs. > > It is believed that those suffering from incurable diseases are cured if > they worship the presiding deity. > > Devotees come here for marriage, progeny, and for relief from hardships. The > water in the tank is considered more sacred than that of river Ganga. > > A dip in the tank is believed to relieve the devotee from sins he > committed in thought as well as action. > > The temple is considered the Vaishnavite temple equivalent of healing > abilities of the presiding deity to that of the Vaitheeswaran, the > presiding deity of the Saivite Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Thousands of devotees > take a holy dip during new moon days and also pour molasses into the temple > tank. > > Ramalinga Swamigal is believed to have been cured off his stomach pain > after worshiping in the temple. He glorified the presiding temple in his > works in Potri Panchangam. > > The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century > Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar and Thirumalisai Alvar. The Alvar has > sung praise, imagining himself as a lady and Veeraraghava as his lover. The > temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that > are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the > various forms of Bhaktavatsala in this Temple > > The temple is considered the Vaishnavite temple equivalent of healing > abilities of the presiding deity to that of the Vaitheeswaran, the > presiding deity of the Saivite Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Thousands of devotees > take a holy dip during new moon days and also pour molasses into the temple > tank. > > Ramalinga Swamigal is believed to have been cured off his stomach pain > after worshiping in the temple. He glorified the presiding temple in his > works in Potri Panchangam. > > The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century > Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar and Thirumalisai Alvar. The Alvar has > sung praise, imagining himself as a lady and Veeraraghava as his lover. The > temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that > are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the > various forms of Bhaktavatsala in this Temple > > The temple is considered the Vaishnavite temple equivalent of healing > abilities of the presiding deity to that of the Vaitheeswaran, the > presiding deity of the Saivite Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Thousands of devotees > take a holy dip during new moon days and also pour molasses into the temple > tank. > > Ramalinga Swamigal is believed to have been cured off his stomach pain > after worshiping in the temple. He glorified the presiding temple in his > works in Potri Panchangam. > > The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century > Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar and Thirumalisai Alvar. The Alvar has > sung praise, imagining himself as a lady and Veeraraghava as his lover. The > temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that > are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the > various forms of Bhaktavatsala in this Temple > > 8 Poojas > > Abishekam, the sacred ablution to the presiding deity is done only with > sandalwood oil. > > The temple follows the traditions of the Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavite > tradition and follows pancharatram agama. > > The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a > daily basis. > > As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the > Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin varna. > > The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 > a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at > 8:30 p.m. > > Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food > offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Veeraraghava Perumal and > Kanakavalli Thayar. > > During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil > (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas > (sacred text) and Naalayira Divya Prabandam are recited by priests, and > worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are > weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. > > 9Auspicious days and Festivals > > Purnima is auspicious for this kshetram. During Fridays Thayaar will be > taken to a separate mandapam for puja. > > Two annual festival are celebrated. Chitra Festival is also important > here. Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyannam (Curd Rice), Pongal, > Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to the deity as > prasadam. > > During the Tamil month of Chittirai, Brahmotsavam, a 10-day festival is > celebrated, the festival deity is taken in procession around the streets of > the temple in different mounts each day and the float festival is > celebrated on the last day. > > The other festivals associated with Vishnu temples like Krishna Jayanthi, > Saturdays of Tamil month Puratassi, Navratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi and > Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective days. > > 10 Temple timings > > The temple is open from 6.30 am to 12 noon in the mornings and from 4 pm > to 8 pm in the evenings. > > 11 Other information > > There is One way system around the temple and there is ample parking in > the Teppakulam. > > “Darsanat sparsanat snanat, Sadyo hrittapanasanah, > > Ato sarveshu lokeshu, Namna Hrittapanasanah” > > The tank is so holy that evens a sight or a touch or a bath would > immediately dispel all anguish of heart. > > The local tradition attaches greater importance to this tank than to the > Ganga, the Godavari > > It is believed that bathing in the temple tank, and worshipping > Veeraraghavaperumaal with symbolic offerings of salt and pepper here, is > a cure to many a physical ailment, and hence the deity is also known as > Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal. It is also believed that barren couples beget > progeny upon worshipping here. > > This temple is under the administration of the Ahobila Mutt. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to iyer123+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAEE2L%2B2DQvPvdEWXzCKJ-UMQF-2htpppUPN2zqMt0DpcMSC78Q%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAEE2L%2B2DQvPvdEWXzCKJ-UMQF-2htpppUPN2zqMt0DpcMSC78Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thatha_patty+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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