Saturday, November 7, 2009

Srimushnam Bhoo Varahaswamy

This is one of the 8 Swayambu Kshetrams
Lord Narayana brought back Goddess Earth after killing Asura Hiranyaksha and appeared here in Srimushnum

Located 35kms West of Chidambaram in the Kattu Mannar Koil Taluk is the historical Bhoo Varaha Swamy temple in Sri Mushnum. Unlike typical moolavar deities in Vishnu temples, the Lord here is in the form of a small idol signifying the Varaha Avataaram. A visit even once to this temple and sincere prayers to Lord Bhoo Varahaswamy is said to help attain moksham in this lifetime, such is the power of Bhoo Varahar.

Swayambu Kshetram
Srimushnum is one of the 8 Swayambu Kshetrams in India. The others are Srirangam, Tirupathi and Vanamaamalai in South India and Saligramam, Naimisarinyam, Pushkaram and Badri in North India.

Bhoo Varaha Perumal is a Saligrama moorthy and the speciality of the temple is that there is a Thirumanjanam every day for the Lord.

The Story

Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashipu, wanted to be a dominant force. To achieve this, he rolled over the earth and took it into the nether world, from where he ruled.

Bhoo Devi undertook penance seeking help from Lord Narayana to protect her from the Asura. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a boar), went into the sea and killed the asura. He brought back the earth on his Adisesha and appeared here as a Swayambu idol.

Legend has it that he created the Pushkarani with the sweat emanating from his body after his battle with Hiranyaksha.

Lord’s Face turned South
On his death bed, Hiranyaksha prayed to the Lord and as his final wish wanted the Lord to turn to turn in his direction. Hence Bhoo Varahan’s face is seen turned in the direction of the asura towards the South. An interesting feature of the moolavar deity at this temple is that the face, in the form of a boar, is turned towards South, while the body bearing a human shape is facing West in the direction of the devotees

Utsava Deity

Goddess was worried that people may turn away from here because of the Lord’s pig face. Hence, she undertook penance and requested him to display his handsome stature. Answering her prayers, Lord’s Utsava idol features as Yagya Varahaswamy with conch and chakra.

Prarthana Sthalam
This is a Prarthana Sthalam for childless couples. Ladies, who have bath in the Nithya Pushkarani, go around the Arasa tree 12times, offer milk and fruits to small kids and recite the Varaha Kavacham are said to be blessed with Children.

This is also a prarthana sthalam for the unmarried. Lord is also said to help devotees in the purchase of house and car.

Similar to Tirupathi
While in Tirupathi Divya Desam, one first visits Varahar before darshan of Moolavar Srinivasa perumal, here at Srimushnam, one is to visit the Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi at the Western entrance before a darshan of Bhoo Varahaswamy.

Special Prasadam at this temple
One of the specialities at this temple is the offering of Korai Kazhangu as prasadam to the Lord

Temple Construction

While BhooVarahar is a Swayambu idol, the temple here in Srimushnum is said to have been constructed by Four Nayak kings- Achuthappa, Ananthappa, Govindappa and Kondappa Nayak.

The story goes that Ananthappa Nayak developed severe stomach pain when they camped at Rajendrapatnam, 8kms East of Sri Mushnum. He was relieved of his pains when Lord Vishnu came in his dreams and touched his stomach with his leg.

Delighted at this, he came here and constructed the temple. To this day, one can see the five fingers of the Lord below his left stomach.

Event marking Muslim-Hindu Unity
In Maasi, the Utsava deity goes on a 20 day procession to Killai and other nearby villages near Chidambaram. An interesting feature of this festival is that the Muslims in the area offer prasadams to the Lord Yagya Varaha and they take back the flower of the Lord and offer it to Allah. The Muslim devotees are said to thank Allah for having brought Varaha Swamy to their place.

Srimushnum Bhoo Varaha Swamy is the only temple that brings together such unity between Muslims and Hindus and this event continues to take place to this day.

Festivals
Brahmotsavam in Maasi
Chariot Festival in Chitrai


Quick Facts

Moolavar : Bhoo Varaha Standing Posture
Goddess : Ambujavalli Thaayar(Separate Sanndihi)
Utsavar : Yagya Varaha Swamy

Time : 730am-1230pm and 5pm-9pm

Priest : Rajagopala Bhattar/S.S.Ramanuja Bhattar
Contact : 94423 78303

Address : 41/61 South Car Street, Sri Mushnum 608 703

How to reach

Direct buses from Chennai to Srimushnam

One can take any South bound train from Chennai and get down at Vriddachalam Junction
Several buses from Vriddachalam to Srimushnam via Rajendrapatnam (about 30-45mts)

By car, Srimushnam is about 235kms from Chennai via Tindivanam-Vikravandi-Panruti-Neyveli-Vadalur and Sethiya Thope. One can reach in 4 hours.

34 comments:

  1. Great Information.Thanks a Lot!

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  2. Sir, Madam,

    Many Thanks for reading and the comment.

    Prabhu

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  3. thanks a lot for the information on this sacred spot. I am inspired to read the varaha kavacham since knowing the temple

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please approach the LIFCO Publications who are publishing this BOok for about several years.

      Delete
  4. Sir,

    Thanks for the Comment. Good to know.

    Prabhu

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  5. Very useful information Mr.prabhu could provide some information on Accommodation for Pilgrims who comes from other states

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  6. It is requested to send details of accomodation availability & what rituals should childless couple perform at the temple,who should we meet for guidance. what is the best time to do this puja.kindly help.

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  7. Sir,

    This is a wonderful detailed article on the stalam. I kindly bring to your notice that am reposting a part of this in my blog.

    Chitraji,

    The temple priests will guide you in the pooja. You will have to buy Bananan, Kalkand and Dry Grapes. You will be given a small Krishna deity during the pooja. Later you should give the prasadam to small children. It is very simple.

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  8. Its really wonderful. I am also told that there are Seven Goddess' Idol which has to be worshiped to come out of frequent troubles and cursing. Can you brief?

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  9. Sir,

    Thanks for information. I was searching for a contact in Srimushnam and was relieved on seeing this blog.

    Thanks
    Thangam Prasad

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  10. Sir,

    Thank you for the kind words.

    Prabhu

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  11. Thanks for contact numbers. This will be useful for devotees coming from other states aslo.

    ReplyDelete
  12. hai, thanks a lot for the info. i rung up the number the priest was kind enough to arrange for sakkarai pongal offering to the lord and asked me to come there and pay him , instead of sending a DD.thats the service to the lord.Hats off

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  13. hai, thanks a lot for the info. i rung up the number the priest was kind enough to arrange for sakkarai pongal offering to the lord and asked me to come there and pay him , instead of sending a DD.thats the service to the lord.Hats off

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank You so much..you were of great help...God Bless!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sir/Madam,

    Thank You for your kind words.

    Prabhu

    ReplyDelete
  16. very usefull& more important informations are shared.
    ashok

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  17. Hi friend,

    We like to come to this great temple with my family. am from tirupattur,VELLORE(dist). Please guide us to visit this temple. Kindly provide the residency details.
    Provide any Lodge and Boarding details.

    THANKS
    PRADEEP N

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vel Guest House is next to the temple. You can get easy accommodation there.

    No prior booking required.

    You can also contact Bhattar @ 94423 78303.

    Prabhu

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  19. I heard that the Bhoo varaga temple also has lord Shiva in the same premises and they do offerings with Tulsi leaves to Lord shive. Does anyone know about it?

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  20. Nice post. I just have one doubt. Such a nice Puradhana Sthalam is not classified under 108 Divya Desams. Why is it so? Azhwars didn't visit at all or visited but didn't sing Pasurams? If so, can some one say for what reason?

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  21. Nice information.

    Just one doubt. Why is this not classified under 108 divya desams? None of the azhwars visited this or visited but didn't do mangalasaasanam? If visited by azhwars, then what is the reason for no mangalasaasanam? Request some one to help me with answer.

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  22. Is there transportation from chidambaram to Sri mushanam please let me know iam planning to go...
    Thanks in advance

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    Replies
    1. Yes there are direct buses from Chidambaram and Vriddachalam.

      Prabhu

      Delete
    2. Vel house contact number please for accomadation

      Delete
  23. Sir, Can I get link for Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy Stotram (in Sanskrit)for download.

    Raghavan

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  24. Sir in Chennai where s varagha swamy temple except tiruvidandhai
    Even thoonil irundalum paravailla
    Pl tell me

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  25. A separate sannidhi is there in Madhava Perumal Koil, Mylapore.

    Prabhu

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  26. மத நல்லிணக்கத்துக்கு ஒரு எடுத்துக்காட்டாக ஊர் கிள்ளை...எங்கள் காரைக்காலிலும் இஸ்லாமியர்கள் அதிகம்... ஒற்றுமையாக இருப்போம்..
    எங்கள் முன்னாள அமைச்சர் திரு AMH நாஜிம் அவர்கள் முயற்சியால்தான் அழகான அம்மையார் தெப்பக்குளம்,தேர்,தெப்போற்சவம் நடைபெறுகிறது... நான் ஒரு பேச்சாளர்.. அவ்வகையில் வருடா வருடம் அரசு சார்பில் ஹஜ் பயணிகளை வாழ்த்தி அனுப்பும் விழாவில் 15 வருடங்களாக இந்துக்கள் சார்பாக வாழ்த்திப் பேசும் வாய்ப்பைப் பெற்றவள்...ஹஜ் சென்று திரும்பி வரும் போது அந்த நணபர்கள் மறவாது ஜம்ஜம் புனிதநீரும்,அரபு பேரீட்சையும் எமக்கு அளிப்பார்கள்..மனிதம் போற்றுவோம்...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for sharing..
    We would like to attend Abhishekam, could you please provide contact info if any.

    Thanks again..

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Prabhu,

    We would like to attend Abhishekam, Could you please provide contact number for tickets and other info if any.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Pratap

    ReplyDelete
  29. Usual time every morning when there are no donors...930am.

    If you want to perform the abhisekam, you may contact Ramanujam bhattar on the number given in the story.

    Prabhu

    ReplyDelete
  30. These descriptions are very well written and provide a nice summary. There is so much more at this very site. I spent nearly 4 hours there and came away feeling sad that I did not give myself sufficient time to learn more of the Glory of the Lord and the many miracles that have happened at the very site. In addition to the main deity, the Lord's sister Varahi also has a prominent presence in the outer prakaram.

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