Vada Madurai Adi Kesava Perumal Koil

The 1000 year old Rajendra Chozha period temple near Periya Palayam has interesting Ramayana and Narasimha Sculptures


40kms North West of Madras off the Calcutta National Highway N0.5 is the 1000 year old Adi Kesava Perumal temple in Vada Madurai, Periya Palayam. While largely unknown, the Vada Madurai temple has inscriptions dating back to the period of the Great Chozha King- Rajendra I and Rajendra Chozha II as well as several sculptures relating to the Ramayana.



Ancient Rama Idol
One of the highlights of the temple is the ancient 1000 year old image of Rama and Baratha made in copper. Inscriptions indicate that Rajendra I (Gangai Konda Chozhan) donated 50acres of land for betel leaves & nuts cultivation to be dedicated to Lord Rama as a wedding gift to the Lord. One finds the entire story of Ramayana in beautiful little artistic sculptures inside the Mandapam.


3 Tier Garuda

The 3 Tier Garuda Sannidhi found at the Vada Madurai is a special feature.

Raja Simha Stones at the temple entrance

While there are not many inscriptions relating to the Pallava connection to the temple, at the entrance one finds 5 RajaSimha stone Sculptures welcoming the devotees.

Artistic Sculptures
Some of the interesting ones are the fight between Rama/Lakshmana and Lava-Kucha, Rama and the 10 headed Ravana depicting the very end of the battle in Lanka.


No Gopuram

The entrance does not have the typical temple tower indicative of a Vishnu temple and is only a ‘Mottai Gopuram’

Festivals

Rama Navami Kalyana Utsavam
Sri Jayanthi
Ekadesi

Puratasi Saturday are special here


Quick Facts

Moolavar: Adi Kesava Perumal, East Facing Standing Posture with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi

Goddess : Adi Lakshmi Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)

Utsavar: Ancient Rama alongside Baratha (New idols of Lakshmana and Sita are more recent additions)

Temple Time : 630am-12noon and 5pm-8pm

Priest : R. Balaji Bhattar @ 97887 81862

Address: Adi Kesava Perumal Koil, Vada Madurai Village
Othukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District 601 102

How to Reach

Vada Madurai is 40kms North West of Madras.
One can take the Madras-Madhavaram-Red Hills Road (Nellore-Calcutta NH 5), drive about 27kms and take a left towards Periyapalayam (13kms).

1km before Periyapalayam take a left (Vengal-Tiruvallur Road) to reach Vada Madurai (1km from this junction)

One can also reach Vada Madurai via Thiru Ninravur ( 21kms from the Divya Desam)

Minjur Varadaraja Perumal

Abhimana Sthalam Referred to as Vada Kanchi

  

27kms North of Madras is the 400 year old Varadaraja Perumal koil in Minjur. The temple is also referred to as Vada Kanchi. Some culvert records, relating to the history of the temple, are said to be currently in Mysore This place was once called Mouncharanyam as sacred grass grew here all over the place. In course of time, Mouncharanyam became Minjur. Vaikasi Brahmotsavam is special here. During Garuda Sevai, lakhs of devotees visit this temple.

All Utsavams are celebrated here similar to Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple. It is said that devotees visit Kanchi early in the morning and follow it up by visiting the Minjur Varadaraja Perumal koil. This is the only Vishnu temple in this region with a chariot. Puratasi Saturday are special here.

There was not even Rs. 1 in Thattu in 1998 when the Bhattar was at Rs. 230/- salary.

 

Quick Facts 

Moolavar: Varadaraja Perumal 

Goddess : Perundevi Thaayar 

Temple time : 7am-11am and 5pm-8pm 

Priest : Jagannathan Bhattar @ 9952930743

How to reach 

Chennai Central-Minjur is about 27kms on the Gummidipoondi rail route ( about 45minutes) Buses every half hour from Broadway/Parrys Corner to Minjur. The temple is about ½ km from the railway station.

Devadhanam Ranganatha near Chennai

Huge 18feet Ranganatha seen in a Bhoga Sayana Posture at Devadhanam

Located 30kms North of Madras, and 4kms North East of Minjur in a small village away from the noise is the Ranganatha Swamy temple in Devadhanam, one that dates over a 1000 years to the rule of the Chalukya kings and situated on a large sand mound.

Temple History
Chalukya rulers who visited Srirangam wanted to recreate an idol, within their empire, similar to the sleeping Ranganatha in Srirangam. Hence, this temple is also referred to as Vada Srirangam (North Srirangam).

The name DevaDhanam
The village is believed to have been gifted by the Devas and hence the name Deva dhanam.

Lord in Bhoga Sayanam

Yet another story goes that tired of measuring the paddy during the harvest season, Lord Ranganatha is believed to have relaxed his head on the same grain measure ( One has seen a similar kind of story relating to the Sarangapani temple where Thirumazhisai Azhvaar enquires the sleeping Aravamudhan if he is tired after his long walk and requests the Lord to give him darshan).

Moolavar Idol made out of Saligramam
18feet long- 5ft high Lord Ranganatha is seen sleeping on the serpent bed with 3 folds formed by the 5 headed Adisesha., with the right hand of the Lord placed beneath his head and the left hand stretched forward.

The moolavar deity is made out of Saligrama stones. Even the jewels of the sleeping lord are of Saligrama stone, the only one of its kind in ranganatha temples. Hence, there is no Thirumanjanam for the Moolavar Lord, only oil anointment.

At the feet of Lord Ranganatha are Sri devi and Bhoo devi. Anjaneya is also seen with folded palms along with Maha Rishi Thumburu inside the sanctum.

Snake Hill behind the Sanctum

On the Western side of the temple behind the sanctum is a snake hill inside which is believed to reside a snake. The belief is that this snake protects the temple and the devotees who visit here.

Prarthana Sthalam

A visit to the temple is said to provide immediate job opportunities, help in marriages and progeny.

Festivals
Rama Navami, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikunta Ekadesi are celebrated here but there is no procession of the deities.

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Lord Ranganatha in Bhoga Sayanam facing East
Thaayar : Ranganayaki Thaayar
Time : 630am-12noon and 4pm-8pm
Priest : Sridhar Bhattar @ 97868 66895

How to reach the temple
Take a Sub-Urban train from Chennai Central and get down at Minjur (27kms- 45minutes) – Gummudipoondi section. From Minjur, take a share auto/ mini bus on the Eastern Side just outside the station to reach the temple in about 20-30minutes. Currently the 4 km road is in a very bad shape.

Bus 56D runs between Broadway ( Parrys Corner) and Minjur. It will take about 1 ½ hours to reach Minjur by bus from Chennai.

The temple is about 7kms South East of Ponneri (there are buses every hour or so from Ponneri)

Kari Krishna Perumal Thiru Aayarpadi, Ponneri

2000 year old temple dating back to Karikala Chozha period
Moolavar Idol is seen slanting to his right

Located 35kms North of Madras off the Calcutta Highway is the Kari Krishna Perumal koil in Thiru Aayarpadi, Ponneri, a temple that dates back to the rule of Kari Kala Chozha, one of the greatest among the early Chozha kings. This temple is believed to have been built during his period and hence has been named after him.

The slanting Moolavar idol

With a Kondai (bun like tuft) on his head, Kari Krishna has his left hand on his hip in a majestic king like stance. His right leg is slightly down on a pit while his left leg is normal. Hence, one finds the moolavar swayambu idol in a standing posture slanting slightly towards his right. All the pillars in the mandapam in front of the temple are also seen slanting towards one side. Interestingly, there is no peedam for the Lord. He is seen standing on the ground just like us!!!

Unique Feature-Goddess to the left of Moolavar Lord

Another unique feature at this temple is that Soundaravalli Thaayar is seen to the left of the Kari Krishna Sannidhi, facing the East. In Vishnu temples, one normally finds the Thaaayar Sannidhi to the right of Moolavar deity.

Lord Vishnu meets Lord Shiva in Chitrai

Baradwaja Maha Rishi  undertook penance at this temple while Agastya Rishi undertook penance invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva.Pleased with their prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before Baradwaja Rishi and Lord Shiva before Sage Agastya and acceded to their request of providing joint darshan to the devotees. In accordance with this event, every year on the 5th day of Chitrai, Kari Krishna Perumal leaves on a procession to the bazaar street in Ponneri where he meets with Lord Shiva and exchanges garland. As Lord Shiva met with Lord Vishnu here, this street has come to be called Hari-Haran bazaar street.

Location of the temple

Aother unique feature of this temple is that it is surrounded by water in the front as well as the back of the temple. Behind the Sanctum is Santhana Pushkarani said to be very sacred, especially for child birth. In front of the temple, on the Northern side is the Arani River.

Prarthana Sthalam for Child birth

This temple is believed to be a prarthana Sthalam for child birth. On Rohini star every month, if childless couples visit the Kari Krishna temple with two plantains, ½ litre milk, 100gms butter and oil (Gingely lamp oil) and perform an archanai, the Lord is said to immediately bless the couple with progeny.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Sri Kari Krishna Perumal North Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar   : Soundara Valli Thaayara (left side of Moolavar)- East Facing

Temple Time : 730am-1030am and 530pm-830pm


Priest: Mohan Rama/ Srinath Bhattar @ 044- 27972290/94447 20636
Sampath Kumar/ Krishna Kumar/ Sai Krishna Bhattar@ 044- 27974934/99941 82494

Festivals
Chitra Festival – meeting of Kari Krishna Perumal with Lord Shiva
Puratasi Saturdays special at this temple
Vaikunta Ekadesi
Rama Navami

How to reach

The temple is about 35kms North of Chennai and about 1 km North East of the Ponneri Railway Station. Auto from the Ponneri Railway Station to the temple will cost Rs. 40/-.

Sub-Urban trains ply between Chennai Central and Ponneri ( Gummudipoondi route) every half hour It will take about 1 hour to reach Ponneri from Chennai Central Station.

Bus Route: 95D, 56D, 160P, 112B, 76C