Thiruvellarai
Thiruvellarai
Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple
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| Temple entrance |
Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams located near Trichy, Tamil Nadu, South India.The temple is considered to be older than Sri Rangam temple and famous for the architecture and massiveness.
As per legends, young Markandeyan performed a deep penance here in a cave surrounded by forest.Thayaar Maha Lakshmi, moved by Markendeyan's devotion and fearing for his safety,she also started penance in an opposite cave so that she can look after him.Maha Vishnu appeared before her as Sengamalakannan and both of them blessed Markandeyan.
As per another legend, when Sibi Chakravarthi was staying here with his troops, a white boar crossed his path. He ordered to chase it and the boar hid inside a hole. Markandeya was doing a penance there and the king narrated about the white boar to him. Sage Markandeya asked the king to fill the hole with milk. Sage Markandeya asked the king to bring 3700 Vaishnavites from the North and build a temple on the site for Maha Vishnu. The king obliged and gathered 3700 Vaishnavites and started building the temple. While building the temple one of the Vaishnavites was killed in an acccident and the king was worried. Maha Vishnu appeared as Pundarikakshan, and asked him to be counted among the 3700 Vaishanvites.
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| Swasthik Well -Pic courtesy https://www.tnarch.gov.in/swastik-wall |
The Temple:This temple is said to be older than the Srirangam temple. The massive rajagopuram is in an unfinished condition.Nobody exactly knows why this was not finished. Now, work is underway to build the Rajagopuram by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.The compound wall is massive and has a larger outer praharam. The nandavanam (temple garden) is beautifully maintained and has many floweing shrubs, valuble species of medicinal trees, including Sandalwood tree. Peacock and other exiquisite birds can be seen in the serene atmosphere. There are six pushkaranis (temple tank) inside the temple compound and one called Swastik well is outside the temple.
The famous temple tank called Swastik Well also known as “Marbidugu Kinaru”, with four ghats (padithurai or steps), each having 51 steps in the shape of a Swastik built during the 800 AD by one Kamban Araiyan is seen a little farther from the temple.It is a protected Archeological monument site.Ask any of the locals for the location.
The temple of Pundarikakshan is built on a small artificial hill. There are two entrances to the sannidhi, Utharayana Vaasal and Dhakshanayana Vaasal, each kept open for a six month period. During Uttarayanam (mid January to mid June), Utharayanya Vaasal is opened, Dhakshanaya Vaasal is opened during mid June to mid January. As you climb 40 odd steps you reach the sannidhi. Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal is called 'Maayavan'during Dakshinayanam and 'Thai Maatha Naayagan' during Uttarayanam. As he appeared before Sibhi Chakravarthy in the form of white boar (Swetha Varaham), perumal is also called as Swethapuri Nathan.
Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Uyyakondar, a disciple of Sri Nadhamuni Alwar. Swami Engalazhwan is said to have taught Sri Bhasyam to Nadadhoora Ammal in the temple.
The Moolavar Pundarikakshan Perumal is majestic around 7 feet tall in a nindra kolam(standing posture). He is seen with Sri Devi,Bhudevi and Suryan,Chandran, Adiseshan in ManuSyarupam (human form).
Thayaar Bangaya Selvi and has a seperate sannidhi.
Mangalaasasanam The temple is revered by the verses of Perialwar,Thirumangai Alwar.
Festivals Chithirai Ther Thiruvizha (Chariot festival) is the most important festival of the temple. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai (March–April) when devotees pull the chariot around the streets of Tirvellarai. Verses from Nalayira Divya Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests amidst music with Nadhaswaram and Tavil .
Temple location The temple is situated in the outskirts of Trichy/Srirangam. It is about 16 kms from Sri Rangam and 25 kms from Trichy.
Temple Timings The temple is open from 7:30 AM till 12:00 noon and from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm.
How to reach? Plenty of town buses that goes beyond Manachanallur stops here. Or take an auto or cab from Srirangam/Trichy.
Where to Stay? There are no hotels here. Trichy or Sri Rangam would be an ideal place for stay
Where to eat There are no restauarants but a few tea shops are here.
Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple
Sannathi Street,
Thillampatti Agraharam,
Thiruvellarai,
Tamil Nadu 621009
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District:Trichy
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: Tamil,English
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level
