Kolavamana Perumal, Sikkal

The Kolavamana Perumal Temple at Sikkal prior to Kumbabhishekam

Every year, through Aalayam Kanden Trust, we write and publish the Sthalapuram of a lesser known temple to enable it to gain visitors and patrons. Recently, multiple temples in Nagapattinam had their consecration, so when Subash, a heritage enthusiast in Nagapattinam who has been doing very committed work in documenting the temples there, requested if we could help print the collective Sthalapuranam book he had authored on Nagai Temples, we willingly agreed.

The books were released on Maasi Maham day at the Kayarohaneswarar Temple and the Sikkal Singaravelar shrine. While visiting the Sikkal temple, Subash took us to the Kolavamana Perumal temple within the same complex. Even though I had visited the Sikkal temple a few times before, had not had an opportunity to visit this temple. 

Release of the book Nagai Aalayangal at Sikkal Singaravelar shrine

That's probably because the temple is more popularly known for Lord Muruga, who is called Singaravelar here.  Sikkalil Vel Vaangi Chenduril Samharam, they say. This phrase used during Kandha Sashti, describes the granting of Shakti Vel by Goddess Velnedumkanni (Parvathi) to her son Singaravelar to enable him to perform the samharam of Surapadma. Even to this day, the beading of sweat on the idol of Singaravelar for a few hours after receiving the Shakthi Vel (Spear), is a divine ethereal experience that attracts thousands of devotees annually. 

Apart from Lord Navaneetheswarar and Singara Velar, there is a seperate temple for Lord Kolavamana Perumal. This co-existence of Vaishnavaite and Saivaite shrines with Navaneetheswarar, Velnedumkanni, Singaravelar, Kolavamana Perumal and Varada Anjaneyar makes it a unique power centre, capable of answering all fair prayers of devotees.  

The temple complex after consecration

Sthalapuranam through inscriptions

Usually, temple inscriptions would speak about grants given by kings and their subjects towards various activities of the temple. They might include government orders too. However, it is rare to find inscriptions that describe the Sthalapuranam of the temple. Here, we find an inscription with a Shloka that describes how Lord Vishnu came here and its reference in the Skanda Puranam. This inscription has been featured in Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy - 102/1911 and has been further elaborated in Nagai Maavatta Kalvettugal published by the State Archaeology Department of Tamil Nadu.

The Shloka is as follows:

स्वस्ति श्री स्कन्दपुराणे कालिकाखण्डे तीर्थसंहितायां

वसिष्ठाश्रम माहात्म्ये मल्लिकारण्य क्षेत्रप्रभावम् आरभ्यते।

श्लोकः:

दया या दक्षिणगया यां यो वा श्राद्धं प्रकर्तव्यति।

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि गया श्राद्धे न यत्फलम्॥

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति नात्र कार्यविचारणम्।

गया पश्चिमदिक्भागे देवदेवाति वन्दिता।

माधवो वासमाक्रान्तो गया माधव इत्यभिः॥

The shloka translates as follows:

This is an excerpt from the Theertha Samhita in Kalika Kanda of Skanda Puranam which describes the Vashistashrama Mahatmya in the Mallikaranya Kshetra. This description is said to have been given by Lord Shiva to Kamadhenu, the celestial cow. Affected by a severe drought that lasted twelve years, Kamadhenu fed upon the carcass of a dog, as it could not find any grass to feed upon. This angered Lord Shiva, and he cursed it to acquire the face of a tiger. Repentant and ashamed, Kamadhenu sought a remedy. Lord Shiva asked her to go to Bhooloka and perform penance in a Jasmine forest.  

List of temples where Shiva and Vishnu co-exist mentioned in the temple

He further described the Mallikaranyam (Jasmine Forest) as below:

This place is known as Dakshina Gaya and anyone performing Sraadham (annual rites of ancestors) here with compassion will attain the merit of having performed Sraadham in Gaya for sixty thousand years. There is no doubt about it. In the Western part of this Gaya, resides Lord Madhava and hence it is also known as Gaya Madhava. Kamadhenu reached the Mallikaranyam, worshipped Lord Gaya Madhava also known as Kolavamana Perumal, bathed in the pond near Sage Vashista's hermitage and started performing penance. And soon, her tiger face disappeared. Overjoyed, Kamadhenu bathed in the pond and offered her thanks to the Lord. Her milk filled the pond,  turning it into a Ksheera Pushkarni. Sage Vashista churned the butter to make a Shivalinga. He placed it on the banks of the Pushkarni and started worshipping it. After his prayers were over, when he tried to remove the lingam he found that it had turned to stone (கல்) and stuck  firmly (சிக்) to the ground. Therefore, the place came to be known as Sikkal and the Lord Navaneetheswarar or Vennai Piraan. Sage Vashista also made a Krishna idol out of the butter and worshipped it. Lord Krishna wanting to reside in this holy place came to the Mallikaranyam and ate the butter Krishna. Shocked, Sage Vashista started chasing him. Krishna ran towards what is known today as Thirukkannankudi, one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams and got bound by the love and affection of the sages worshipping him there. He continues to shower his grace upon devotees from there.

Kola Vamana Perumal Utsavar

How did Lord Kolavamana Perumal come here originally?

Thirumangai Alwar who has done the Mangalasasanam of the Thirukannangudi temple has also described the Vamana Avatara that originated at Sikkal in one of his pasurams. Therefore, this temple  serves as an Abhimana Sthalam of Thirukkannankudi divya desam.

Mahabali, the Asura king and grandson of Prahalada, was a just king loved by his subjects. At one point, he acquired Amrut, the eternal nectar that could bring Asuras back to life when they were defeated and killed by the Devas. Using the Amrut, King Mahabali slowly spread his kingdom all over the earth and skies. This made the Devas run from pillar to post, attempting to save themselves and their territories. They appealed to Lord Vishnu to save them from Mahabali. They pleaded that without his intervention, the Devas would soon become extinct.

Lord Vishnu was now in a difficult situation. On one hand, King Mahabali was a good king and more importantly his devotee. On the other hand, the Devas had approached him as the lender of last resort and he could not refuse them. So he came down to the Mallikaranyam, created a theertham called Gaya Theertham and started meditating to find the right solution to put an end to Mahabali. Soon, Lord Shiva appeared before him and with his advice, Vishnu took the form of Vamana, the dwarf. He approached King Mahabali, who was performing the Ashwamedha Yagna to declare himself as the Emperor of the World and the Skies, and in the process was giving away grants to those who visited him. 

Kolavamana Perumal in Raja Alankaram

Vamana sought three steps of land to which Mahabali immediately agreed, even though his guru Sukracharya tried to prevent him. Vamana assumed Vishwaroopa, and measured the earth with one step and the skies with the second. When he asked Mahabali where to place the third step, the King graciously offered his head. Vamana's foot sent him crushing to Patala Loka. Pleased with his devotion, and for honouring his promise despite knowing it would bring about his end, Lord Vishnu agreed to grant Mahabali a boon. He sought to return to his kingdom once a year, and the day is celebrated as  Onam festival with great pomp and glory, even to this day. 

Another version of the story says that Mahabali wanted Lord Vishnu to stay with him in Paathala Loka, for which Vishnu agreed to do so for four months in a year, which denotes the Chaturmasya period.

Lord Kolavamana Perumal (Photo Courtesy: The temple)

Since Lord Vishnu manifested in the Vamana form here, he came to be known as Kolavamana Perumal.  After Kolavamana Perumal came to Sikkal, Goddess Lakshmi, unable to stay alone in Vaikuntha without her Lord, came here too, and created the Lakshmi Theertham and prayed to Lord Kolavamana Perumal to be united with him. Answering her prayers, the Lord requested her to stay here and grant the wishes of their devotees as Komalavalli Thayar. Till this day, young men who are desirous of getting a good bride, or those boys whose wedding prayers are getting delayed, come here and worship Kolavamana Perumal and Komalavalli Thayar, and soon enough, just like how Goddess Lakshmi came looking for her partner, good matrimonial alliances come looking for these boys. 

 

Komalavalli Thayar in Gajalakshmi Alankaram (Photo Courtesy: The Temple)

Varada Anjaneyar found in a seperate shrine opposite to Kolavamana Perumal is extremely popular among devotees who offer Kattamudhu after their prayers have been answered. The temple has recently been consecrated. The rustic look and the multiple wall paintings are all gone, replaced with gary oil paints. 

Sri Varada Anjaneyar

I have a habit of  taking vastrams for the deities of any temple I have the opportunity to visit. Normally, the priests would either place the vastrams at the feet of the deity or around the shoulders and one really has to be satisfied with that. However, here, the priests so patiently adorned the vastrams to the Utsavar vigrahams while we were there which was a truly goosebumps moment for me. 

Inscriptions:

There are a total of eight inscriptions that have been recorded here, out of which two are from the Kolavamana Perumal temple. Two others from the Navaneetheswara temple, describe the Sthalapuranam as mentioned above and also about all those who worshipped here to get the grace of the deities. Inscription No.103/1911, mentions this Kshetram as Gaya Saras and Deva Sannithyam. It further mentions that Arasa Maram (Peepal Tree), Paal Kulam (Milk Pond), Aala Maram (Banyan Tree), Surabhi, King Muchukunda, Sages Vishwamitra, Vashista, Narada, Gauthama, Katyayana and Agasthya worshipped here.

Inscription 100/1911 mentions that in 1447, Lakkana Dandanayaka, the Senapathi of the Vijayanagara King Mallikarjuna Raya (Deva Raya III) who called himself Dakshina Samudradhipati, found that Sitrrayanallur village, that had been given as Thiruvidaiyattam (land given to a temple from which the tax revenue could be used directly by the temple for its operations) was far away from the temple and hence he replaced it with fertile lands that were irrigated by the Nallan Pillai Petral Eri in Sikkal of Gayamanicka Valanadu which was an Usavadi (sub-division) of Cholamandalam. Inscription 101/1911 states that a person named Ayar Pillai, a native of Mangalam converted this temple into a granite structure. 

Festivals:

All Vaishnavaite festivals are celebrated here with pomp and glory. Specially Mohini Avatharam on the sixth day of Margazhi, Gajendra Moksham, Vaikunda Ekadesi, Vijaya Dasami, Hanumad Jayanthi, Puratasi Saturday and Gokulashtami. The temple has a lovely Instagram page where all the utsavams are comprehensively covered.

New Pasuram for Kolavamana Perumal:

Diwakara Tanujaha, is blessed to create pasurams in the same meter as the alwars and has been creating pasurams for lesser known Perumal temples. A collection of his pasurams along with description of the Sthalapuranams of some such temples was brought out by us in 2019 as a publication titled "Paadal Perum Paranthaman Aalayangal" . When I shared this article with him, he immediately came up with this very beautiful yet succinct pasuram on Kolavamana Perumal, set in the same meter as Thirumangai Alwar's Thirukannangudi pasuram describing the Vamana Avataram.

எழுசீர்க் கழி நெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்

உம்பரான் உண்ட உறுபுரை ஒளிய

.. உற்பவி பாற்குளத் திழுதின்

தம்பிரா னோடும் இளங்கிளை மருகன்

.. தக்கசொல் தூதுவன் சூழ

நம்பினா ருக்கு நன்மணம் வீச

.. நறுவிணர் மல்லிகை வனத்தில்

எம்பிரான் கோல வாமனன் என்றே

.. இலங்கினான் கோமளத் தானே

Meaning - உம்பரான் (celestial cow - Kamadhenu), உறுபுரை - wrong deed, இழுதின் தம்பிரான் - Lord Shiva made of butter, Navaneetheswara, இளங்கிளை -  younger sister of Lord Vishnu - Velnedumkanni, மருகன் - Nephew - Singaravelar

Our sincere thanks to Shri Diwakara Tanujaha for this effort and for beautifying Sri Kolavamana Perumal with his choicest words.

How to reach here:

Sikkal is around 4 kms from Nagapattinam town, enroute to Tiruvarur. The GPS coordinates are 10.7566969,79.7964928.

Temple Timings:

6.30 am to 12 pm, 5 - 8.30 pm

Contact Details:

Shri Balaji Bhattar - 96556 97885

Acknowledgements:

I thank Mr Subash Chandran, Nagapattinam and the Kolavamana Perumal temple for allowing me to use their images for this article. 

Muthuservamadam Varadaraja Perumal

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

I first heard about Muthuservamadam about 18 months ago, when Kaushik Ramachandran, a long term patron and volunteer of Aalayam Kanden Trust mentioned it to me. He sent me pictures of a dilapidated brick temple, with the Varadaraja Swamy and his consorts covered in lime plaster and asked me if I could visit and help create awareness and support for the temple.

Dilapidated state of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam 18 months ago

He further mentioned that the youth from the village were very eager in getting the temple up and running and this really warmed my heart. However, my tight schedule did not allow me to visit the temple immediately. This year round, when I went home for Pongal, I was determined to visit.

The Varadaraja Perumal, Muthuservamadam covered in lime plaster earlier

Muthuservamadam is about a kilometre away from NH 36, flanked by Gangaikondacholapuram and Meensurutti. Despite being so close to the tourist map, it is a pity that this temple has had poor patronage and has fallen into ruins. One look at the arch that welcomes us gives an idea of how magnificent this temple would have looked during its "achche din".

The huge arch at the entrace of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

The temple had been closed for worship for as long as forty years. The mahamandapa and the temple campus had turned into a convenient den for the men in and around the village to drink and make merry. A team of committed youth from the village, with the guidance of a few village elders decided three years ago that they were going to turn the temple around, and bring it back to worship. A lot has been achieved during this time. Whatever repairs and renovations have been carried out, have been done, without further damaging the stucco or icons wherever they are. While this might not look visibly pretty, the intention of the villagers to retain as much of the antiquity as they can, must be appreciated.

Repairs in progress currently at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

The temple has over 80 acres of land, all being cultivated by individuals who do not give anything in return to the temple. However, the youth had been able to garner the support of the villagers in collecting funds to first clear the temple and its shrines of garbage and spruce up the pillars and the main vimana (now looks like a gopuram in Brahadeswara temple style). The deities - Garuda and Hanuman have been removed from their broken down shrines and placed in the sanctum along with Varadaraja Swamy and his consorts.

The vimanam being redone without removing the stucco idols therein

The main deity Varadaraja Swamy, belonging to the 12th century CE had originally been covered with lime plaster and painted. So were his consorts and dwarapalakas. However, now the lime plaster which was already peeling off, has been scrapped out completely. The idols are dry and pale, due to lack of attention. 

Varadaraja Perumal, Muthuservamadam

There is a very beautiful Hanuman of probably the 14th or 15th CE with one leg folded behind him, and the other leg bent forward. A small Garudalwar probably of the same period as the main deity is also found. 

Hanuman at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

The Mahamandapa is in the unique Vavval Nethi mandapa style (shaped like a bat's forehead) - a unique form popularized by the chola architects. Very few temples have this form of architecture, which was specialised only by a few. During the renovation, the pillared portions of either sides of the Vavval Nethi Mandapam have been straightened out as there are no artisans currently available to recreate it.

Vavval Nethi Mandapam in Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

A gate has also been installed to ensure the safety of the deities. Going around the campus, one cannot but admire the magnificence of the laterite brick wall around it. Each laterite brick measures and weighs atleast twice as that of a regular brick.

The beautiful Matapalli at the temple

The villagers are determined to complete the kumbabhishegam of the temple this summer. All they need is to complete the flooring and repair the walls around, the cost of which has been estimated at around Rs.7,50,000. The villagers are sure if there were inscriptions in the temple, as many of them had only visited the temple for the first time, about three years ago. If they had been there, they are probably lost to time.

The sprawling campus of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

They appeal to the benevolent public to support them with any historical or epigraphic evidence about the temple, that will help them in creating awareness and raising funds for the temple. Any uzhavarapani kuzhus that are willing and open to do uzhavaram in Perumal temples may please help in clearing the vegetation at the temple. I find it extremely disappointing that uzhavarapani, the noble act of clearing vegetation and sprucing up the temples is most often restricted to Shiva temples. With all due respect, I would urge these noble people to kindly go beyond these self-imposed restrictions and extend their services to deserving Perumal temples as well - after all, "Hariyum Sivanum Onru", isn't it?

The village volunteer team at Muthuservamadam

The youth of the village are eager and enthusiastic and with a little bit of support - in material, money, manpower and mentorship, they will be able to keep the temple up and running!! If you are one of those people who are desirous of empowering them to do this, please do get in touch with Mr Manikandan whose coordinates are given below.

Any help you can offer to this beautiful temple, is worth its weight in gold!

The doorway at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Muthuservamadam

 How to reach here:

Muthuservamadam is 3 kms from Gangaikondacholapuram and 5 kms from Meensurutty and Jayamkondam respectively.

GPS Coordinates of the temple: 11.222853, 79.462087

Temple timings: At the moment since the temple is under Balalayam, it can be visited at any time during the day, after giving prior intimation.

Contact details: Manikandan - +91 78710 02298

Chennaiyin Rameswaram!

Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple in Kuvattur

Kuvattur - A name ringing in Tamil news channels a few months ago, is home to the quaint Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple. Set within the village on East Coast Road, the temple has eight wells representing the eight holy rivers of India. In the past, devotees bathed in these eight wells, similar to Rameswaram, and worshipped the gigantic Adhi Kesava Perumal to be rid of ancestral curses (Pitru Dosha).

Legend :

One of the wells representing a holy river inside the temple

The eight holy rivers : Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Sarayu, Godavari, Narmada, Thungabadra, Kaveri were upset that they were becoming more and more unclean due to washing the sins of those who bathe in them. They approached Lord Brahma and asked for a remedy. He in turn asked them to go to Bhoolokha and meet Sage Vedagosha, who would give them a solution.

The rivers thanked Lord Brahma and came down to Bhoolokha in search of Sage Vedagosha. They found him in a forest worshipping Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal. They bowed before him and explained their predicament.

Sage Vedagosha listened to them. He asked them to stay there and pray to Lord Adhikesava Perumal in whatever way they wished, with steadfastedness and devotion, whereby they would be rid of their burden. The women started performing different tasks for the worship of Lord Adhikesava Perumal. Ganga gave water for abhishekam, Yamuna helped grow flowers for worship, Sarayu grew fruits and vegetables for offering, Saraswathi, cleaned all the vessels and helped the Sage with the requirements for pooja, the Narmada and Godavari cleaned the ashram and decorated it with vines and creepers and made pretty patterns on the floor. Tungabadra and Kaveri sang beautiful hymns in praise of the Lord with devotion.

This went on for many months. The women were steadfast in their devotion. Their interest and passion did not come down as days passed by. They continued their worship with singleminded devotion. Pleased with their worship, the Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal appeared before them on a Panguni Uthiram day at sunset.

The eight women bowed before him, and sought a solution to their problem. The Lord promised to rid them of all the sins they had accumulated from sunrise to sunset every day, and by the time the sun rose again, they would be relieved of all the sins and be crystal clear again. The women thanked the Lord and the Veda Gosha Maharishi. As a token of gratitude, they promised to stay in the same location, in the form of eight wells, till the Sun and Moon rose. They also promised to grant anyone who bathed in all eight wells and worshipped Lord Adi Kesava, the benefits of bathing in these eight rivers.

The eight rivers then manifested in eight wells around the sanctum and  Sage Narada and Budhan (Planet Mercury) who were witness to this incident worshipped Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal and built a Mayura Mani Mandapa around his sanctum. The place came to be called Kuvattur as Koopam or Koovam means well.

From then on, devotees started worshipping here to get the benefits of bathing in the eight holy rivers and being rid of all sins in their present and previous births. Similarly, since Budha had himself worshipped the Lord here, those with Budha Dosha in their horoscopes also worship here to be relieved of their dosha.

Lord Hanuman's Dosha: 

Hanuman at Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple Kuvattur

After the Ramayana War, Rama wanted to perform Shiva linga Puja to be rid of the Brahma Hathi Dosha that he had acquired by killing Ravana. He asked Hanuman to bring him a Shivalingam from Kashi. However, Hanuman was delayed and Sita, created a lingam out of sand for Rama to worship. When Hanuman returned, he saw that the lingam had already been installed and the prayers were complete. He was upset that Sita had not waited for him to arrive. Seeing his crestfallen face, Rama asked him to install the Lingam he had brought and worshipped that as well.

Hanuman was ashamed of his action. He also realised that he had cursed Sita who was equivalent to his mother. He wanted to be rid of the sin of cursing his mother. So he visited several temples but was not relieved of the pain and suffering in his heart. Finally he reached the Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple in Kuvattur. When he reached the temple and bathed in the eight wells and worshipped Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal, the Lord appeared before him and relieved him from the dosha of having cursed his mother. Hanuman, sought a boon, that anyone who had not taken care of their mother, or not performed service to them while alive, or thier rites after their death, can be relieved of the Matru Shapam by worshipping Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal here.

Similarly, when Yudhistra came to know that his mother had not revealed the fact that Karna was their brother, he uttered that no woman will be able to hold any secret to themselves. This angered other women who cursed Yudhistra for unnecessarily affecting their lives. Yudhistra came to Kuvattur to worship Adhi Kesava Perumal and be rid of the Sumangali Shapam he had acquired.

The temple:

Adhi Kesava Perumal

Although there are no inscriptions in this temple, the inscription recorded at the Angalamman temple near the Adhi Kesava Perumal temple, is from the time of Sadashivayyadeva Maharaya, son of Saluva Manga Udaiyar Devamaharaya of the Vijayanagara Dynasty. 

The deities at the temple are also presumably of the Vijayanagara period. Hanuman is found in a seperate shrine across the road with the Sarayu theertham behind his shrine. The Deepasthambam of the temple was originally between the two temples, but with the development of roads into the village, the deepasthambam has been brought into the Adhikesava perumal temple. The seven wells are around the temple. Gopu Bhattar, the archakar at the temple says that the wells are full during the rainy season, but during the summer months, only one of them has water which is used for abhishekam and aradhanam.

The Sudharshana, albeit being small, is a delight to watch. With a smile around the corner of his lips and sixteen arms holding multiple weapons, he is so endearing. The Narasimha behind him, is no less in beauty. Seated on the Naga, with Chakras in all four arms, he is ever waiting for the devotee to grant his genuine wishes.

Lord Adhikesava Perumal looks gigantic and majestic. His dwarapalakas, and Garuda are equally beautiful. 

Goddess Maragathavalli and Andal are founded in separate shrines.If you happen to cross the ECR, do stop by to worship the majestic Adhi Kesava Perumal and witness the eight holy rivers in the form of wells.

How to get here: Koovathur is about 80 kms from Chennai and 14 kms from Kalpakkam on the East Coast Road (GPS coordinates: 12.443852, 80.106224)

Temple Timings: The temple is open through the day for the benefit of devotees. The bhattar lives right next to the temple and facilitates with pooja until 7 pm.

Contact Details: Gopu Bhattar 9790846554

Thiruvananthapuram of Tamil Nadu!

Inside the Aavarani Anantha Narayana Temple

Thousands throng the temple of Lord Ananthapadmanabha Swamy, at Thiruvananthapuram, despite strict security and dress regulations to worship the 18 feet Lord, reclining on a five headed Anantha (Adhisesha) witnessed through three entrances, whereby his Thirumukam (face), Thiruvudal (Body) and Thirupadam (feet) are visible.

Come to lesser known Aavarani, in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, where Lord Vishnu is seen as Anantha Narayana, also known as Aabharanadhari, his gigantic 21 feet form reclining on a seven- headed Anantha. This Lord, even larger than Ananthapadmanabhaswamy can also only be viewed through three entrances through which his Thirumukham, Nabhi (navel with Brahma rising from it) and Thirupaadham are visible. The only difference here, is that this temple is relatively unknown and one can spend minutes or even hours before the Lord, without any disruption.

Legend 

The Lord Aabharanadhari reclining on the seven hooded Adisesha

The village Aavarani, was originally named Aabharanadhari after the Lord. It is an extension of Thirukkannangudi, one of the 108 Divya Desams. It is believed that Lord Rama on his return to Ayodhya from Sri Lanka, passed through here and on the request of Brigu Maharishi and Veda Vyasa rested here in the form of Mahavishnu. 

The legend of this temple is associated with the life and times of Thirumangai Alwar. According to the Sthala Puranam,  the Alwar, desirous of raising resources for the Srirangam temple, came to Nagapattinam to steal the Golden idol of Buddha at the Vihara . He collected some banana stems from a place called Vazhakarai, stole the Golden idol, hid it among the banana stems during the day, and travelled over night towards Srirangam. The place where he hid the statue during day has come to be known as Porulvaithacheri (now called Poravacheri near Sikkal). He then visited Aavarani and worshipped the gigantic Ananthanarayana Perumal. Seeing the huge Lord, he adorned his body with Tulsi garlands which are said to have turned into different jewels. He then called him "Aabharanadhari Narayana". Because of this, the place came to be known as Aabharanadhari. 

From here, he went to the Thirukannangudi Damodhara Narayana Perumal temple and worshipped the Ninraan and Irundhaan (Veetrirundha Perumal) forms of the Lord.  In his mangalasasanam of the Thirukkanangudi temple, the stanza beginning with "Vangama munneer", according to Vaishnavaite scholars, describes the Ananthanarayana Perumal of Aavarani who is reclined on the Anantha ("sangamaarangai thadamalarundhi samameniyen") and hence it is inferred that this sthalam must have been part of the Thirukkannangudi Divya desam originally. Government records also mention Aavarani village as Thirukkannangudi Agaram which reemphasises the fact that Aavarani was a Brahmadeyam (tax free land provided to Brahmin scholars) of Thirukkanangudi.

The Lord

Lord Ananthanarayana at Aavarani

The gigantic form of Lord Ananthanarayana Perumal completely fills the sanctum. Reclining on  seven hooded Adisesha, with a Marakkal (measuring utensil) as headrest,  his head is placed in the Southern direction and feet towards North. He has a right hand supporting his head, and a left hand extended upto his knee.  He wears a number of ornaments on his body true to the name of Aabharanadhari. On his head, he wears a crown, kundalams in his ears, katakas on his arms, a beautiful Nalankilar Haram on his broad chest, sacred thread, and anklets on his feet. Brahma raising from his navel, and Sridevi and Bhudevi found by his side, are also wearing ornaments. Apart from them, Sage Bhrigu and Veda Vyasa are found at the head and foot of the Lord respectively as he gave vision to them at this site. 

Other Deities

Goddess Alankaravalli

On entering the temple, one can see the Pakshiraja Garudalwar facing the Lord. He is seen with snakes as ornaments on his body. He is flanked by a beautiful Hanuman, known as Padma Hanuman. Goddess Alankaravalli is found in a separate shrine . The temple well is very special as the water is said to be extremely sweet. The temple tank is called Ananthapushkarani and bathing here and chanting Achutha, Anantha, Govindha thrice, rids one of all problems and turns them towards liberation.

Inscriptions:

The beautiful well at the Aavarani Temple

A total of eleven inscriptions have been read at this temple. Out of which nine are from the Chola period, one from the Pandya period and another from the Vijayanagara Period. The oldest among them is from the time of Raja Raja Chola II from 1150 AD. This inscription calls Aavarani as Aabharanadari Chaturvedimangalam. The inscription also mentions a Siva temple known as Thiruvirameswaram which probably existed in Aavarani.

There are six inscriptions belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chola III, and one of Jatavarman Kulasekhara Pandyan.  A 1474 AD inscription of Thippayya Devamaharaya refers to the village as Aabharanadhari yaana Uttaranandapuram and the Lord as Pallikonda Perumal.

The rest of the inscriptions talk about temples nearby. One of the inscriptions refer to Simmavishnu Chaturvedimangalam and a deity called Parvatheeswara mudaiyar and about grants given to the temple. This inscription also mentions the villagers of Ranajaya Chaturvedi mangalam giving grants to Parvatheeswara mudaiyar. This probably was another temple near Aavarani.  Another inscription mentions Chitralekha Perumpalli which probably was a Buddha Vihara nearby. There have been exchange of land between the Parvatheeswara mudaiyar temple and the Chitralekha Perumpalli.

Other significance:

Padma Anjaneya at the Aavarani Temple

This temple is one of the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams referred to in the Garuda Puranam as Pancha Badra. The others being the Damodara Narayana Perumal in Thirukannangudi, Yadava Narayana Perumal in Keevalur, Deva Narayana Perumal in Devur and  Varada Narayana Perumal in North Alandhur.

How to reach here:

This temple is found on the Nagapattinam - Thiruvarur route, about four kilometres from the famous Sikkal Murugan temple.  GPS Coordinates : (10.74561792, 79.77533913)

Contact: S Kumar Bhattar - 97885 17247

Temple Timings: 9-11 am, 5-7 pm

Updated on 04 June 2018:

Inspired by the Lord Anantha Narayana, Poet Diwakara Tanujaha (Mr Sudharshanam) has composed a beautiful verse on him which he has also rendered as an audio file for our listening pleasure:

ஆவரணி ஆபரணம்
–--------------------------------

(எண்சீர் விருத்தம் – விளம் காய் மும்முறை இரட்டித்தது)

இடதுகை நீளவல(து) எழுதலை வாங்கக்கைக்
...கடகமும் குண்டலமும் கால்களில் தண்டையுமாய்ப்
படியணைந் தாவரணி படுத்துளான் பார்க்கிலனே!
...பணிலமா ரம்பொலிதோள் பொன்முகம் ஒருவாசல்
படைமல ரன்முகிழ்கொப் பூழ்நலங் கிளராரம்
...பாதுகம் இருவாசல் முப்படக் கிடக்குமணி
நெடுவடி மூவேழாய் நீண்டநல் ஆபரணம்
...நிறைமலர் நகையாக்கி நெகிழ்ந்தவன் காணாமோ?

(கடகம் – கையில் கட்டும் கங்கணம்; படி – தானியங்களை அளக்கும் மரக்கால்; பணிலம் – சங்கு; ஆரம் – சக்கரம்; படைமலரன் – படைக்கும், மலரில் இருக்கும் பிரமன்; கொப்பூழ் – தொப்புள்; நலங்கிளர் ஆரம் – பெருமான் அணிந்திருக்கும் நலங்கிளர் எனப்படும் ஆரம்; பாதுகம் – கால்கள்; நிறைமலர் – நிறைந்த மலர், இங்கு துளசி இதழ்)

பொருள்:
----------------
இடது கையை நீட்டி வைத்து, வலது கையை, உயர்த்திய தலைக்கு முட்டுக் கொடுத்து, கையில் கங்கணமும், காதில் குண்டலமும், கால்களில் தண்டையும் அணிந்துகொண்டு, தானியங்கள் அளக்கும் படியைத் தலைக்கு அணை கொடுத்து, ஆவரணி என்னும் ஊரில் படுத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பவனை நான் இன்னும் பார்க்கவில்லையே!

சங்கும் சக்கரமும் தாங்கிய பொலிகின்ற தோளும், பொன்போல் ஒளிர்கின்ற திருமுகமும் ஒரு வாசல் வழியே, நாம் காணுமாறும், நலங்கிளர் என்னும் ஆரத்தைத் தாங்கும் மார்பையும், படைக்கும் தொழிலைச் செய்கின்ற பிரமன் முளைத்த நாபியையும் நமக்கு இன்னொரு வாசலில் காட்டியபடியும், மூன்றால் வாசலில் தனது பாதங்களைக் காட்டியும், முப்பகுதியாகக் கிடக்கும் மணி அவன்;

நிறைவு பெற்ற மலரான துளசியை, தனக்கு இட்டவரின் பக்தியில் நெகிழ்ந்தவனாய், நீண்ட உருவமாய், இருபத்தொரு அடி நீளத்தில், ஆபரணமாகவே விளங்குகின்ற அவனை நாம் காண வேண்டாமா?

(திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் இட்ட துளசி மாலை, அவனுக்கு மணிகளாக மாறி அலங்க்கரித்ததால், அவனை ஆபரணதாரி என்றே அழைக்கிறார்கள். மேல் விவரங்களுக்கு வலைப்பூவைப் படிக்கவும்.)

Audio Link to the verse

The Temples of Karuvazhakarai!

Shahuji I, popularly known as Shaji was the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur during the period 1684-1712. During his reign, there were several unrests and threat to his Kingdom from the Sethupathis of Ramnad and Rani Mangammal, who ruled over Madurai with Trichy as her capital. Shahuji, was constantly strategizing to save his empire from his neighbours who were waiting with drawn swords.

It reached a point when he felt that only divine intervention can strengthen his arm, as the game plan kept changing day after day without a result in his favour.

He consulted with his minister, Lakshmana Pandit, on a solution to reinforce his hold over Thanjavur. Lakshmana Pandit consulted with several astrologers and learned men, and they all came up with a uniform solution - to construct temples for Shiva and Vishnu on the banks of the holy Cauvery river. 

Lakshmana Pandit shared this solution with King Shahuji who immediately tasked him with finding the right location to get the temples constructed. So Lakshmana Pandit set out along the banks of the Cauvery, visiting several temples on its banks and seeking divine intervention in showing him the right place for the construction of the temples. 

He travelled across Kumbakonam, Swamimalai, Thiruvidaimarudhur, Dharmapuram, and Mayiladuthurai and set off on the northern bank of the river towards Poompuhar. It was getting to be dark and Lakshmana Pandit decided to spend a night in a grove of Marudham trees (Arjuna trees) on the outskirts of Poompuhar.

The grove had almost all trees and flowering plants that would be used to worship Lord Shiva and Vishnu and Lakshmana Pandit felt an unusual sense of serenity and calmness when he rested there. By morning, his mind was made. It was there the temples were going to come up.

He felt down on the floor and thanked the Gods for showing him the ideal location and went back to Thanjavur with news for Shahuji. Very soon, the construction of the temples began - Lord Shiva sat right in the middle of the grove and came to be known as Raja Rajeswara and Lord Vishnu in the form of Lakshmi Narayana was installed towards the end of the grove. The place where the Lakshmi Narayana temple was built came to be called Lakshmi Narayana Puram and the village came to be known as Marudhur or Karuvazhakarai.

Six Maratha Brahmins, a Yajur Veda family from Senkalipuram and a Sama Veda family from nearby Kanja nagaram who were experts in the Vedas were brought to the village to take care of the temple, Very soon, the King was able to overcome the problems from his neighbours and was also able to defeat the Moghuls and acquire lands upto Varanasi.

Over time, the land between the temples became habitations and soon were taken over by individuals. The temples lost their glory and became dilapidated. The Shiva temple was granted to a family for maintenance about 200 years ago, through a court deed and the descendants of the family maintain it to date. It is a delight to see a well maintained, albeit poorly patronised temple, right in the middle of a grove, with practically every single tree, fruit or flower that is used to worship Shiva.

Lord Rajarajeswara sits majestically in the sanctum sanctorum while Goddess Devanayaki is waiting patiently in her humble abode for the odd devotee to visit. There is also a Bhairava from the Maratha period in the temple. Another noteworthy feature is the huge Nataraja and Sivakami that is under worship. Shiva looks extremely splendid and regal that you cannot take your eyes off him. His Holiness Maha Periya has visited this temple twice during his life time, and spent several hours in meditation before this Nataraja.

The remains of the Lakshmi Narayana Temple that was once worshipped for victory, beauty and prosperity is today being reconstructed through the efforts of Shri Anandhanarayanan, who is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the temple is reconstructed. But for the main deity, Sri Lakshmi Narayana, and a few other idols, most of the structure and idols belonging to the original temple have been lost and are now being recreated in Mamallapuram.

The consecration is being planned in July 2016 and every single rupee contributed in completing the work will bestow upon the donor, victory in their endeavor, beauty and prosperity. If you happen to be in this locality, please stop by to visit both the temples at Karuvazhakarai, now popularly known as Marudhur.

You may kindly send your contributions to Sree Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Tirupani Committee, State Bank of India Pallavaram CI, SB Account No. 33737211400

How to get here:

Marudhur is found on the road from Mayiladuthurai to Poompuhar at about 9 kms from Mayiladuthurai. 

Contacts: 

For Lakshmi Narayana Temple - Mr Anandhanarayanan - 94440 79673

For Rajarajeswara Temple - Mr Swaminathan - 95974 37157

Pancha Lakshmi Narayana!

Utsava is a sanskrit word wherein Ut means remove and sava means worldly griefs. The word Utsava Murthy is referred to those deities normally made of metal that are taken out in procession so that they may be worshipped by the devotees of all strata of society, to be rid of all worldly sorrows.

The Utsava murthis aid easier worship as Thirumanjanam or Kalyana Utsavam can be performed more frequently and economically on them. They can be taken to any place within and outside the temple so that a larger number of people can worship them.

There have been a number of examples in the lives of great saints when their prarthana murthis have granted the grace that one would normally associate with worshipping the moolavar (main deity) of a temple. A couple of such examples are the Moola Ramar worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the Rama idols worshipped by Saint Thyagaraja.

One such deity is the Sri, Boomi, Neela, Mahalakshmi, Narayani samedha Sri Narayana Perumal of West Mambalam who has been granting the wishes of many a devotee from his humble residence.

Situated in the narrow and busy Baroda Street, next to the back entrance of the Sri B S Mootha Jain school, this Perumal is found with five lakshmis unlike most temples where he is seen with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
This Perumal has been in worship for centuries in a private household of an industrialist and based on the divine instructions received , they have made worship of these deities public.

The grace of this perumal has spread far and wide and this place is often very crowded. Since the Perumal is found with five Lakshmis, he is worshipped by those seeking wealth, prosperity and good marriage alliances.

Moreover, Perumal's thirunakshathram is Pushyam (Poosam) and those born on Pushyam star are also said to benefit by worshipping him. Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi are found on either side of the Perumal and Mahalakshmi is found as Thani Nachiyar.

The fifth Lakshmi, Narayani, is found in the heart of Narayana Perumal. Since Perumal has the Thayar as part of his body, he is adorned with a waist belt (Oddiyanam) and anklets on his feet . The Perumal looks resplendent in his Paramapatha Kolam and those worshipping him in this form are said to be relieved of all their sins and can reach the lotus feet of the Lord at the end of their lives.

The temple is currently looking for a bigger space as more and more people are coming here everyday to worship Sriman Narayana and be rid of their problems. Efforts are on to raise funds to build a temple with Moolavars for these deities as well.

Thirumanjanam is performed at 7.30 am on Poosam star every month, apart from important festivals and Purattasi Saturdays. On these days, Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted at 4.30 pm and Oyyali sevai is performed at 5.00 pm.

How to get here:

This temple is found in Baroda Street, the lane that is behind the Duraiswamy Subway which connects T. Nagar with West Mambalam.

Temple Timings:

Mornings : 7.00 to 9.30 am
Evenings: 5.30 to 8.30 pm

Contact Details:

Kalai Bhattar - 98404 57113

Enchanting Eri Katha Rama!

Thiruninravur Eri Katha Ramar Temple

The mention of Thiruninravur immediately brings to mind the magnificent Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple and the divine Hridayaleeswarar Temple. (The Articles on Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple and Hridayaleeswarar Temple on Aalayam Kanden can be accessed by clicking the links).

But equally if not more enchanting is the Eri Katha Ramar Temple that is tucked away in a lane opposite to the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple. The temple is practically unknown to the tourists who flock the two other temples. But for the locals who show this temple some love and the discerning traveller who takes time out to check for other interesting sites enroute, this temple is practically empty.

There is no signage either outside or in the temple. Also there is no gopuram or large vimanam to draw attention. But when one takes the effort to enter, they are sure to be awestruck in many ways than one.

History of the temple:

This temple is said to be older than the Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple. It is found on the banks of the Thirunindravur Lake (Thiruninravur Eri) originally known as Varuna Pushkarni. It is believed that this lake was flooded in a storm and the bunds were in the verge of breaking when the villagers prayed to Lord Rama. Lord Rama is said to have created a fence of arrows around the lake that prevented it from breaking whereby the village was saved. The villagers showed their gratitude by building a temple on the banks of the lake for Lord Rama.

Varuna Pushkarni at Eri Katha Ramar Temple Thiruninravur

The Purshkarni is right behind the temple and one look at its massive expanse gives an idea of what would have been the damage if the bund had been breached. Even a couple of years ago, they say,that the Pushkarni used to be full of water and the annual Theerthavari used to be conducted on Panguni Sravanam.

The massive expanse of the Varuna Pushkarni

Apart from this, the annual Brahmotsavam and Rama Navami festivals are celebrated with a lot of festivity.

One of the noteworthy episodes connected with the temple is associated with the birth of Mudaliyandan a disciple and associate of Saint Ramanuja. Saint Ramanuja's sister Nachiyarammal and her husband Vathoola Kula Thilaka Sri Anantha Narayana Dikshithar who stayed in the nearby Nazarathpettai were on a pilgrimage to Tirumala to worship Lord Venkateswara to seek the boon of childbirth. As night fell, they rested at the Eri Katha Ramar temple at Thiruninravur.

During the night, Lord Rama is said to have appeared in the dream of Sri Anantha Narayana Dikshithar promising that a son who was an amsam of Lord Rama would be born to them. When the son was born, they named him Dasarathi, after Sri Rama. Dasarathi became a disciple, devotee and associate of his maternal uncle, Sri Ramanuja and since his demeanor was such as Vishwaksena, (Senai Mudhalvar), he came to be known as Mudaliyandan.

The temple:

On entering the temple, the first shrine is that of Anjaneya as usual. Just outside the Anjaneya shrine, is a stone pillar with Sanku Chakra and the image of Anjaneya which seems to be from the original temple.

Hanuman Shrine at the Eri Katha Ramar Temple, Thiruninravur

The stone pillars with images depicting various Avatars of Lord Vishnu have been poorly plastered with concrete.

Kalki Avatar?

In the Artha Mandapa, is a very unique depiction of Lord Anjaneya. Carrying Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, with the demoness Lankini under his foot, carrying a mace and shield in his arms, this very unique idol of Sri Anjaneya is said to be found only in Naimisaranyam apart from here.

Lord Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders
with Lankini under his foot

One is able to go around the idol and obtain the darshan of the feet of Lord Rama and Lakshmana too.

Padha Darisanam of Sri Rama and Lakshmana

We are now ready to witness the most awesome of all sights. The more than eight feet tall Kothandarama, with two arms, holding bow and arrow, flanked by the weaponless Lakshmana to his left, whose right hand is held in such a way as if he was holding a horizontal bow, and the gracious Sita Devi holding a Lotus in her hand.

The sanctum Sanctorum - just to give the size of the Lord against humans!

No picture can do justice to the beauty of the Lord within the sanctum sanctorum, let alone a poor mobile phone picture! The beauty of this Rama, has to be seen to be enjoyed! It is also interesting to note that these images are not made of stone, but of stucco, which probably is yet another reason that they look so captivating!

The magnificent Eri Katha Rama at Thiruninravur

At the moment, the temple is in need of patronage, especially rice for aradhanam and oil and ghee for lamps. Monetary support is also most welcome.

How to get here:

Thiruninravur is about 32 kms from Chennai and can be accessed by road, bus or suburban train. The temple is few feet away from the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple. 

Temple timings:

Morning - 8.30 - 11.30 am

Evening - 5.30-7 pm

Shri Narayana Bhattar who is the Bhattacharyar at the temple is currently unwell. Therefore, Shri Venugopal Bhattar who is taking care of the Anjaneyar Sannadhi at Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple is also taking care of this temple. So in case you find the temple closed, you may reach out to him at the Anjaneyar sannadhi or at his house on Car street.

Contact Details:

Venugopal Bhattar - 78457 85715/ 98408 37689

If you happen to be in Thiruninravur, please take time to visit the Eri Katha Ramar Temple too!