Thiruputkuzhi: Gateways of Mukthi – Temples of India

Introduction

Thiruputkuzhi Vijayaraghava Perumal temple is located in Thiruputkuzhi, a village in Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham works composed by Vaishnavaite Azhvar saints. Also, it is part of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Lord is worshiped as Vijayaraghava Perumal and his consort Lakshmi is Maragathavalli Thayar.

Temple Structure

The temple was initially built by the Pandia kings, with later additions by Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Vijayaraghava Perumal with four hands who is seen in sitting posture holding the divine bird Jatayu and performing last rites. Sridevi (left) and Bhudevi (right) are present on either side of the Lord. There is a separate shrine for Maragathavalli Thayar to the left of the main shrine along with shrines for Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vedanta Desika and Sri Manavala Mamunigal. The temple pond is known as Jatayu Pushkarini which is created by Lord Rama’s arrow. There is also a hillock nearby with a shrine for Jatayu.

Legend

As per Ramayana, Jatayu, the eagle-king who was a great friend of King Dasaratha and Rama was slayed by the demon king Ravana, during Sita’s abduction. When Rama and Lakshmana came to the place searching for Sita, they found Jatayu mortally wounded. Jatayu narrated the events of abduction to Rama before breathing his last. Overcame with grief and gratitude, Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu at this place. In Tamil, the word ‘pul’ represents a bird and ‘kuzhi’ here means the pit where the last rites were performed. Hence this site is called Thiruputkuzhi.  Another Divyadesam associated with the same legend of Jatayu is Thirupullam Bhuthankudi which is located near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

During the time of the ritual, Goddess Sita could not bear the heat of the flames and hence moved to Rama’s other side. Hence Goddess Sridevi is seen to the left of the Lord with her head slightly leaning towards the Lord. In all other Divya Desams, Sridevi is always seen at the right side of the Lord.

Sri Ramanuja learnt Advaitha philosophy from Yadava Prakasha at this place.

Special Rituals

The Thayar of this temple has the power to germinate even roasted gram. So women who are desirous of getting children tie bundles of roasted green gram around their waist and sleep inside the temple premise. If by next morning the roasted grams germinate, they would be blessed with children. Hence the name, “வறுத்த பயறு முளைவிக்கும் தாயார் “. (Goddess who germinates roasted gram)

Since the Lord performed last rituals here, it is beneficial to perform rituals to ancestors on new moon day here (Amavasai tharpanam).

Thirumangai Azhwar has praised this temple with 2 songs in his works, Peria Thirumozhi and Peria Thirumadal.

Special Occasions

The Brahmotsavam festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi (February – March), Theppotsavam (float festival) in Thai (January – February), Pavitrotsavam in Avani and Vaikuntha Ekadashi in Margazhi (December–January) are the major festivals celebrated in the temple. 

Temple Facts

Dhivyadesam Name	Thiruputkuzhi
Main Deity	Vijayaraghavan, Maragathavalli
Location	Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu (Thondai Nadu)
Architecture Style	Dravidian
Temple Age	600-1000 years
Azhwars that did Mangalasasanam	Thirumangai Azhwar
Divyaprabandham Reference	Peria Thirumozhi – 1115 Peria Thirumadal  – 2674
Unique Specialities	Ramanuja learnt Advaita from Yadava Prakasha here.  Sridevi and Bhudevi exchange places in the main sanctum
Prayers made for	Child Prospects, rituals for ancestors
Popular Events	Brahmotsavam – Masi (Feb- Mar), Theppotsavam – Thai (Jan- Feb)

 

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