Thiruvallur Sri Veerarghava Swamy Temple : Gateways of Mukthi -Temples of India

Sri Veeraraghava Swamy Temple is one of the 108 Sri Vaishnavaite Temples. Situated in the outskirts of Chennai City at Thiruvallur, Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Lord Veeraraghavan along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi as Kanakavalli Thayaar. This temple is over 1000 years old with contributions to construction by the Pallavas of the late 8th century CE with later contributions by Thanjavur Nayaks.

Legend

This place was earlier known as Veekshaaranya Kshetram. As per Markandeya Purana a sage named Salihotra came to this place and set up a hermitage. After fasting for several months, he collected some grains and made flour out of it. He earmarked half of it for charity while keeping the rest to end his fast. To test his devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared in front of him as an elderly person suffering from hunger. Salihotra was happy to provide him the food he saved, however the guest still looked hungry. Without hesitation, the sage offered his own portion as well. Having consumed it, the guest asked for a place to rest and the sage readily offered his hermitage. The guest then showed his true form to Salihotra who was overjoyed.

Thiru-evvul-oor

Since the Lord asked sage Salihotra ‘Where can I rest ?’ – (‘kim gruham?’ in Sanskrit, ‘ev ul?’ in Tamil ), the place began to be called as ‘Kingrihapuram, or ‘Thiru Evvul’ in Tamil. Thiruevvulur became Thiruvallur in due course. As per 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 this place and married her. The temple comes under the management of Sri Ahobilamath. 

Temple Organisation

The main deity of this temple, Sri Veeraraghava Swami is enshrined in the Vijayakoti Vimanam. He is seen lying on the serpent Adisesha (Bhujangasayanam). The left hand of the God is bent at the elbow and stretched upwards towards Lord Brahma who emanates from the Lord’s navel. The right hand is stretched outwards to bless Salihotra who is seen in a kneeling posture. Interestingly, the Lord wears only checked clothes as sage Salihotra had originally offered such clothing to the Lord. His consort is Kanakavalli or Vasumathi who has a separate shrine. The holy tank ‘Hrith-Thaapa-Nasini’, is believed to cure all physical and mental illnesses of true devotees.

Numerous other sanctums are seen inside the temple-complex for Yoga Narasimhar, Sudarshanar, Santhana Gopalan, Ramar, Andal, Lakshmi Narayanar, Vishvaksenar, all the Azhvars and Acharyas like Thirukkachi Nambi, Ramanujar and Vedanta Desikar. 

Prayers

The presiding deity Veeraraghava Perumal is believed to cure diseases of his devotees and hence called “Vaidhya Veeraraghavar”. Salt and pepper offered to the god here is believed to cure diseases and restore good health. Small metal forms of parts of body are offered by devotees for curing diseases of that organ. The water in the temple tank is considered more sacred than that of river Ganga. Thousands of devotees take a holy dip during new moon days and also pour jaggery in the temple tank. The temple is revered by Thirumangai Azhvar and Thirumazisai Azhvar. Ramalinga Swamigal dedicated his work Potri Panchagam to the presiding deity after being cured off his stomach pain.

Festivities

New Moon Day is auspicious in this temple. During the Tamil month of Chittirai, Brahmotsavam, a 10-day festival is celebrated. Other festivals like Krishna Jayanthi, Navaratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vijayadasami are also celebrated with fanfare.

Some Temple Facts about Thiruvallur

Dhivyadesam No.	59
Dhivyadesam Name	Thiruvallur
Main Deity	Vaidhya Veeraraghavar, Kanakavalli Thaayar
Location	Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu (Thondai Nadu)
Architecture Style	Dravidian Style
Temple Age	1000 – 2000 years
Azwars who did Mangalasasanam	Thirumazhisai azhwar, Thirumangai azhwar
Divyaprabandam reference	Peri. T. Mozhi : 1058 – 1067 (Thirumangaiazhwar) Nanmugam T.vandhathi – 2417 (Thirumazhisaiazhwar)
Unique Specialties	Unique place where deity wears checked clothes. Devotees offer jaggery in the temple tanks to get well.
Prayers made for	Physical and Mental Health
Popular Events	New Moon Day every month ( Amavasya) Chithirai Brahmotsavam (Apr)

Please click below to read about other temples in this series:

https://thedal.info/category/hindu-temples/