Namakkal Narasimha

Three Temples of Namakkal

Anjaneya carried the Saligrama stone which turned here into a mountain
Ranganatha is seen in a ‘Karkodaya’ Sayana Posture


Located about 55kms from Salem off the Bangalore- Kanyakumari NH 7 is the Narasimha temple at the Saligrama Cave Hill in Namakkal. Opposite the Narasimha temple is the Anjaneya temple where he is seen in a standing posture facing Lord Narasimha. Behind the Narasimha temple on the Eastern side is the Ranganatha temple, where the Lord is seen in a Karkodaya Sayana posture.

The Story
Given the urgency of the situation, Lord Vishnu had to make a sudden trip to slay Asura Hiranya. He embarked on this mission, on his own, without Goddess Lakshmi and Garuda. Having missed the Narasimha Avatar, Goddess Lakshmi requested him for a darshan of the Lord as Narasimha. She was asked to chant the Thiru Mandhiram at Kamalalayam banks.

At the end of the Ramayana, Anjaneya went to place the Sanjeevani Mountain back at its original location. After doing so, he found the sacred Saligrama stone on the banks of Kantaka River. On his way back, he stopped by at the Kamalalaya Pushkarni to perform his morning prayers. Finding Goddess Lakshmi undertaking penance here, he placed the Saligrama on her hand and went ahead with his prayers.

A little later, after his prayers, Anjaneya came back to find the Saligrama missing from her hands. Goddess Lakshmi told him that she found it too heavy to hold and hence had placed it on the ground only for it to turn into a Saligrama mountain.

Being the one who carried the huge Sanjeevani Mountain, it would not be too much of a task for him to carry the Saligrama Mountain as well, she said.

Narasimha provides darshan to Anjaneya and Lakshmi

As per her direction, Anjaneya unleashed his tail to pick up the Saligrama Mountain only to find a sparkling light emanating from the mountain. It was Lord Vishnu providing darshan, in his Narasimha posture, to both Mahalakshmi and Anjaneya.

Since Anjaneya brought the Saligrama to this place and helped create this place, Lord Narasimha asked him to remain here facing the Saligrama hill and provide darshan to the devotees a tall standing posture without a Gopuram.

The Name - Naama Giri

As Goddess Lakshmi undertook penance here by chanting his ‘Naama’ (On Namo Narayana’) and the hill was created after she placed the Saligrama on the ground, Lord Narasimha named this hill as ‘Naama Giri’ and referred to her as Naama Giri Thaayar. Given her contribution to this place, he gave her the first priority at this temple. Devotees are to first visit Naama Giri Thaayar before they enter the Narasimha Sannidhi.

Inside the Sanctum
At the Narasimha Sannidhi, one finds Narasimha in the middle flanked by Shiva on his right and Brahmaa on his left. Also, inside the sanctum are Sanaka and Sanaathana, Brahmma’s sons. One finds Surya and Chandra fanning Lord Narasimha.

Sculptures

Next to Narasimha inside the Sanctum are sculptures of Vaikunta Narayanan, Hiranya Samharam, Vamana, Trivikrama andVaraha, all said to be 13th Century work of the Pallavas.

Ranganatha Temple

To the East of the hill and behind the Narasimha Temple is the Ranganatha temple, where Lord Ranganatha is seen in a special Karkodaga Sayana Posture with his head resting South and his feet directed towards the North.

King of Snakes ‘Karkodagan’ undertook penance here and requested the Lord to rest on him. Hence, the posture here of Lord Ranganatha is referred to as Karkodaga Sayanam. While he is seen sleeping on top of the Snake, a unique feature here is that the face of the Snake Karkodagan is that of a roaring lion.

There are three entrances to the Ranganatha temple. The entrance in the middle is the one that is opened every day, while the other two entrances are opened only on Vaikunta Ekadesi day. One has to climb 100 steps to reach the sannidhi.

Thaligai for Lord Narasimha

On the occasion of his Thiru Kalyanam, Devas wanted to feed Thirupathi Srinivasa, who referring to this place as ‘Mel’ Ahobilam, asked them to feed the Lord here. Hence, presenting Thaligai to Lord Narasimha here is very special and is equivalent to feeding Thirupathi Lord Srinivasa.

On Pradhosham, presenting Thaligai and Paanagam (sweet drink made with jagerry) will liberate one from all troubles.

Festivals

Panguni Brahmotsavam
Vaikasi Narasimha Jayanthi
Aadi Pooram- Thaayar Utsavam
Aavani Krishna Jayanthi
Pournami Pavitrotsavam

The four Saturdays of Puratasi are special at this temple

Quick Facts

Moolavar:
Narasimha West Facing Sitting Posture
Ranganatha Karkodaga Sayanam
Anjaneya East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar : Naama Giri Thaayar East Facing

Temple Time: 730am-1pm, 430pm-830pm
Contact phone number: V. Raja Bhattar @ 94437 23073

How to reach Namakkal
Chennai-Salem Yercaud Express(Salem arrival 5am) or Chennai Egmore-Salem Express (Salem arrival 6am)
Direct Trains also from Coimbatore and Bangalore to Salem
From Salem, one can take a one hour bus trip to Namakkal
Buses every 5minutes from Salem

By bus, Namakkal is about 7hours from Madras

Sowmya Damodara Perumal Villivakkam

Only temple dedicated to this name of Vishnu in Tamil Nadu
Amirthavalli Thaayar goes to the Garden to provide Oonjal Sevai in Thai- the only such darshan in a temple in Madras


Located 10kms West of Madras is the Sowmya Damodara Perumal Temple in Villivakkam off the Madras-Manali-Calcutta Highway, a temple that could date back at least 800years and could have been built by the Pandyas as seen from the fish symbols that one sees on the upper walls of the sanctum.

Damodaran is one of the 12 special names (Dwadasam) of Vishnu and this temple in Villivakkam is possibly the only temple, in Tamil Nadu, specifically dedicated to this special name of Lord Vishnu (The utsavar at Thiru Kannangudi is also known by this name- Damodara Narayanan).

The Story

Durvasa wanted to bring his sons-Vilvan and Vatapi – in the righteous and vedic path. However, their mother (one with asura qualities) was more inclined on the asura path. Angered at this, Durvasa left them and went to the forest.

An upset mother sought revenge and wanted her sons to destroy the rishis. Taking up her orders, the two consumed one rishi after another. They would first play host to the rishi coming their way. During lunch, Vatapi would enter the rishi through the food they consumed. Once done, Vilvan would call out for his brother Vatapi, who would then tear open the rishi and come out.

The worried rishis looked up to Lord Shiva for help, who directed them to Sage Agastiya. Vatapi and Vilvan tried their prank on Agastiya who came this way. After the Sage consumed the food, he digested Vatapi before Vilvan could call out for him in their usual planned way.

Sage Agastiya wanted Shiva and Vishnu to provide darshan at this place. Hence, at the Shiva temple, he is seen as Agasteeswarar. At the Vishnu temple, the Lord is seen as Sowmya Damodaran.

The Name Villivakkam

As the asuras were killed here, this place was referred to as ‘Konnur’. Later, this took the specific name of the two asuras- ‘Vil’( from Vilvan) and ‘Va’ (from Vatapi) and came to be referred to as Villivakkam.

This Kshetram came to be called ‘Samhara Puri’ Kshetram.

12 special names of Vishnu

While Vishnu is known by several different names, these 12 - Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Thiruvikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Rishikesava, Padmanabha and Damodaran - are particularly sacred ones.

Andal's Thiruppavai and reference to Damodaran

In the fifth verse of Andal’s Thiruppavai, this Lord finds a reference

“Maayanai Mannu Vada Madurai Mainthanai…
Thaayaik Kudalvilanjcheitha Damodaranai…..”

Festivals
Chitrai Thiruvonam 1008 Kalasa Abhishekam
Vaikasi 10day Brahmotsavam ( The Brahmotsavam here starts on the day the Brahmotsavam ends at the Kanchi Varadar temple)
Aani Thiruvonam 108 Satha Kalasam
Aavani Krishna Jayanthi ( Thirumanjanam)

Thai ‘Thotta’ Utsavam- Thaayar goes to the garden on the four Fridays in Thai and provides Oonjal Sevai

AMIRTHA VALLI THAAYAR

Theppo Utsavam in Maasi

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Sowmya Damodara Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Amirtha Valli Thaayar

Temple Time : 630am-1130am and 5pm-9pm
Priest : KP Raghunatha Bhattar @ 94448 07899


How to reach

The temple is 100yards North of Villivakkam bus stand in the West of Madras near the Madras-Manali-Calcutta National Highway and off the Konnur Highway

Thiruparkadal Twin Temples Kaveripakkam

Rangantha is seen in an Anantha Sayana Posture with Marakkal by his sideA visit to the Twin Temples is said to liberate one from the destiny 'curse' notes written by Chitragupta
SILVER KAVACHAM PLANNED FOR MOOLAVAR DEITY AND THAAYAR

Prasanna Venkatesan Utsavar

Located 103kms from Madras off the Bangalore National Highway near Kaveripakkam on the banks of Vegavathi and about 12kms South East of Sholingur Divya Desam are the twin temples of Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and Ranganatha at Thiruparkadal. Visiting these two temples is said to bear fruits equivalent to visiting the 107th Divya Desam (Thiruparkadal) which one cannot visit in this Bhoo Logam.

The Story- Venkatesa Perumal provides darshan to Pundareeka Rishi

On his way back from Kanchi after visiting Brahmma’s Ashwamedha Yagna, Pundareeka Rishi, who had the special privilege of access to Thiruparkadal, wanted to visit a Perumal koil in a nearby village.

He came down to this place and found a temple. Expecting this to be a Vishnu temple, he bathed in the temple tank and entered the temple only to find a Shiva Lingam. Asuras, Karan and Dooshan, had undertaken penance here and hence Lord Shiva is referred to as Doosheshswarar at this temple.

Disappointed and worried that he would not be able to visit a Vishnu temple, he left the temple only to be greeted by Lord Shiva in a disguised form. Clarifying that this was indeed a Vishnu temple, he asked the Rishi to come back to the temple and see for himself.

To the rishi’s pleasant surprise, he found Vishnu standing atop the Shiva Lingam in a handsome smiling posture facing the East. A delighted rishi referred to him as ‘Prasanna’ Venkatesan.

The Name – Narayana Chathurveda Mangalam

TOWER
After visiting Kanchi, the Saptha Rishis went to Sholingur Divya Desam and undertook penance there. Four of the Saptha Rishsi came here to Thiruparkadal and recited the four Vedas. Hence, this place was referred to as Narayana Chathurveda Mangalam.

Special Vimanam

Above the Venkatesa Perumal Sanctum

Atop the Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Sannidhi on each side of the Pundareeka Vimanam are interesting postures - Dakshinamurthy (on the Southern side), Lakshmi Narasimha (on the Western side), Brahmma (on the Northern side) and Gajendra Varadan on the elephant (on the Eastern side).

Athi Ranganatha seen with a Marakkal – Anantha Sayana Kolam

Ranganatha Tower

In the 2nd of the two temples, north of Prasanna Venkatesan temple is the Ranganatha temple where the Lord is seen sleeping on the 9ft long 3 ft height Adisheshan. The interesting feature of Ranganatha at Thiruparkadal is that he is seen resting his head (Southern Direction) on a Marakkal (measuring bowl) in a grand Anantha Sayana Posture. Bhoo Devi is seen at the Lord’s feet.

Yet another special feature is that the entire moolavar deity of Ranganatha is made of Athi Maram. Like how Kanchi Varadarajan is referred to as Athi Varadar, Lord Ranganatha at Thiruparkadal is referred to as Athi Ranganatha.

Liberation from Chitragupta’s Destiny ‘Curse’ Notes


Chitragupta was once struck with a disease. He came here and offered his prayers to Lord Ranganatha asking for relief. The Lord asked him to bring together the ‘Athi Maram’ at this place and he conducted a yagna on the 1st day of Karthigai. Pleased with his prayers, Ranganatha relieved him from his illness.

In a happy state of mind, Chitragupta asked the Lord if he could offer anything in return. It was then that Lord Ranganatha asked him to liberate the devotees, who visit this temple and offer their sincere prayers, from Chitragupta’s Destiny ‘Curse’ Notes.

Hence the special feature at the Thiruparkadal temple is that those who visit the twin temples and have darshan of the Tri-Murthies (Vishnu, Shiva and Brahmma) will be liberated from their destiny curses, previously written by Chitragupta, if they present oil and ghee at these temples and perform Tulsi Archanai on one of the following days: Thiruvonam, Pradhosham, Full moon, No moon day and Ekadesi.

Atop the Ranga Vimanam

On the Ranga Vimanam, one finds the Mandakini hill, the posture of nectar being drilled as well as the Saptha Rishi’s penance posture

Festivals

Rangantha Utsavar
Vaikunta Ekadesi is celebrated in a big way here. Over 5lakh devotees visit the twin temples on this day

Panguni Revathi Star is a special occasion at this temple. Lord Ranganatha goes on a Sannidhi procession on the revathi star day every month

On each of the Puratasi Saturdays, there is a ‘ Flower’ decoration of the Lord

On the 9days of the Navarathri Utsavam, there is a special Thirumanjanam and Alankaram between 4pm and 6pm

It is auspicious to visit the temple on Pradhosham

It is also auspicious to go around the Vanni Maram at this temple, as Brighu Rishi himself is believed to be present as the Vanni Maram.


Temple Renovation/ Silver Kavacham for the Moolavar

The temple is currently under renovation. Silver Kavacham is being planned for Moolavar deity as well as the Thaayar.

Those interested in helping the temple renovation work as well as the Silver Kavacham can contact the Bhattar at the numbers given below.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Standing atop Shiva Lingam
Ranganatha in a Sayana Kolam with Brahmma along side

Goddess : Alarmelmangai Thaayar
Ranganayaki Thaayar

Temple Time:730am-12noon and 430pm-730pm

Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal R. Venkatrangan Bhattar @ 94868 77896

Ranganatha temple: P. Nandakumar / K. Srinivasan/ S. Goutam Bhattar


How to reach Thiruparkadal
From Madras, one can take the Ranipet / Vellore bus (Bangalore National Highway) and get down at Kaveripakkam (100ksm from Madras)

From Kaveripakkam, take a left to reach Thiruparkadal (3kms)

From the highway at Kaveripakkam, an auto will cost about 30-40 one way.

Varagur Venkatesa Perumal Temple

Anjaneya is seen in a special 'Thaalam' posture at this temple

Located about 5kms East of Thirukattupalli on the Kandiyur Road is the 400 year old Venkatesa Perumal Koil in Varagur. This place was originally called Bhoopathiraja puram.

Narayana Theerthar, a Sanyasi from Guntur, had developed severe stomach pain and invoked the blessings of Thirupathi Lord to relieve him from the pain. It is believed that Lord Varaha directed him to the entrance of this place and disappeared from here. Hence, this place came to be called ‘Vara’gur.

Lord Krishna is believed to have danced to the Krishna Leela songs presented by Narayana Theertha at this temple. A unique feature at this temple is the sculpture of Anjaneya in a special posture of putting Thaalam to these Krishna Leela songs.

Prarthana Sthalam for the jobless
One is said to find a job immediately if he visits this temple and prays sincerely and promises to offer the first month salary to the Lord here.

Festivals
Chitrai Akshaya Trithi
10day Sri Jayanthi
Puratasi Saturdays
Margazhi Mohana Alankaram
Maasi Narayana Theerthar Special Arathana

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Lakshmi Narayana East Facing Sitting Posture

Utsavar : Venkatesa Perumal

Temple Time : 7am-12noon and 5pm-8pm

Contact No. : 90808 05403/ 04362 287510 

How to reach

The temple is about 10kms East of Koviladi Divya Desam on the Thirukattupalli-Kandiyur road. Direct bus from Thanjavur to Varagur (25kms) – First bus at 530am from old bus stand. Bus will take over an hour to reach Varagur. One can also reach the temple via Srirangam-Kallanai-Koviladi-Thirukattupalli

Varadaraja Perumal Pasupathi Koil

Periya Nambi attained Moksham at this place at the age of 105


Located about 2kms South West of Ayyampettai and 10kms North East of Thanjavur off the Kumbakonam highway is the 900year old Varadaraja Perumal temple in Pasupathi Koil.

The Story
Kulothunga, a chozha king, directed his people to sign a document that Lord Siva was the greatest. A Vaishnavite devotee refused to sign and asked the king to get Ramanuja to sign, if he really believed that Siva was the Supreme Lord. Accordingly, the king ordered for Ramanuja to be brought to his court.

Anxious at the anger of the king and worried as to what could happen to his Acharya, KoorathAzhvaan, disguised as Ramanuja, entered the court of the Chozha King and as expected, refused to sign. He was accompanied by his preceptor Periya Nambi.

Angered at his refusal to sign and having found out his disguised form, the king ordered the plucking of his eyes. Not wanting the king’s messenger to touch him, KoorathAzhvaan did the unthinkable- he removed both his eyes with his own hands using his long sharp nails. The eyes of Periya Nambi, who was aged 105, were plucked.

Unable to see and over burdened by his age, Periya Nambi struggled to make his way to Srirangam. Varadaraja Perumal appeared here at Pasupathi Koil and provided darshan to Periya Nambi who attained Moksham here.

Later, Ramanuja is believed to have come here and built the temple and Sannidhi for Periya Nambi.

Festivals
Margazhi Kettai Utsavam is special at this temple
(Periya Nambi was born on Margazhi Kettai Nakshatram)

Special Pooja on Thiruvonam Nakshatram every month



Quick Facts

Moolavar : Varadaraja Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar : Perundevi Thaayar

Temple Time: 7am-9am and 5pm-8pm

Priest : A.K. Vijayaraghava Bhattar

Contact Telephone Number: 97903 42581

How to reach
Buses every 5minutes between Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. One can get down at Ayyampettai (15kms from Thanjavur/25kms from Kumbakonam) and take an auto to the temple (Rs.30-40)

One can also get down at the Pasupathi Koil Railway Station( Trichy-Kumbakonam Passenger trains stop here)and walk half a kilometer to reach the temple.

Kalinga Narthana Temple Oothukadu

Then Gokulam
Prarthana Sthalam for liberation from Rahu, Kethu and Sarpa Dosham



Located about 12kms South West of Kumbakonam, off the Aavoor-Thirukarugavur –Thittai road, is the Kalinga Narthana temple in Oothukadu, the only temple that is exclusively dedicated to him (Kalinga Narthana). The temple dates back to the Chozha period though specific data/proof is not available.

The Story

The story goes that this place was once a Pushpa Vanam. Residing at the Kailasanatha temple in Aavoor, Nandini and Patti, the children of Kamadhenu, were providing milk to the Lord. Every morning, the two would also graze across to the nearby Oothukadu Village (2kms away) and collect flowers for the Lord from the Pushpa Vanam.

On one such occasion, the two little ones listened to Sage Narada’s narration of the story of Lord Krishna and his Kalinga Narthana. Hearing the story of the five year old (Child) Krishna taking on the poisonous asura snake (Kalinga) and performing the Kalinga Narthana, Nandini and Patti are said to have broken out into tears for the hardship and the onerous task imposed on the little boy Krishna.

Worried about her children, Kamadhenu approached Krishna at Vaikuntam seeking a solution to her children’s shocked state of mind. Responding to her request, Krishna appeared here at the Pushpa Vanam at Oothukadu and performed yet again, with ease, the Kalinga Narthana in front of a delighted Nandini and Patti thus convincing them that this was a child’s play for him.

Wanting all the devotees to enjoy this unique form of Krishna, Narada requested the Lord to be present here at Oothukadu as Kalinga Nardana.

Narada is said to have installed the idol of Krishna as Kalinga Narthana with Nandini and Patti standing on either side of the Lord in front of him and referred to this place as ‘Then Gokulam’.

Unique Posture of the Lord


An interesting feature at this temple is the posture of Kalinga Narthana - his left leg is seen on top of the Asura Snake but not touching the snake. His left thumb alone is holding the tail of the snake with none of his other four fingers in contact with the tail!! His right leg is seen above the ground in a dance posture. On a close look, one can find the scars on his leg below the knee, the result of his fight with Kalinga.

The great Venkata Kavi lived here


The Kalinga Narthana temple at Oothukadu has attached to it a significant connection with the music world. It was living here in Oothukadu that Venkata (Kavi) Subba Iyer composed many of his memorable and to-date unforgettable songs on Krishna including specific ones on Kalinga Narthana of Oothukadu.

Prarthana Sthalam


This temple is believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam for upcoming music and dance artistes. Kalinga Narthana is said to fulfill all their prayers and bring them success in their art.

This is also believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried as well as childless couples.

A visit to the Kalinga Narthana temple will liberate one from Rahu and Kethu doshams and Sarpa Dosham as well.

Festivals

Uriyadi Utsavam on Gokulashtami
Special Alankaram and Abhishekam on Rohini star every month

Quick facts
Moolavar : Veda Narayana Perumal East Facing
Goddess : Mahalakshmi
Utsavar : Kalinga Nardhana flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama
Temple Time: 930am-12noon and 5pm-8pm

Priest : Jayarama Bhattar@94426 99355 or 04374 268549.

How to reach Oothukadu
Buses every half hour between Kumbakonam and Aavoor. The temple is about 2kms from Aavoor. There are also direct buses to the temple (Oothukadu) from Kumbakonam.

Auto from Kumbakonam Railway Station will cost Rs.125-150.

Anthili Lakshmi Narasimha

An Upset Garuda undertook penance at Anthili
Lord Vishnu provided darshan in his Narasimha form to Garuda
One of the Four Narasimha temples in the region

Located 195kms South West of Madras off the Villupuram-Thiru Kovilur SH7 on the banks of Then Pennai River is the 1600 year old Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Anthili. This is one of the four Narasimha temples in this region, the others being at Parikkal, Poovarasan Kuppam and Singiri and is part of the Eight Prominent Narasimha temples in Tamil Nadu(others being Namakkal, Sholingur, Singaperumal Koil and Sinthalavadi).

Garuda’s Anger

As he did during the Gajendra Moksham episode, Lord Vishnu, skipped his vehicle(Garuda) on his way to kill Hiranya. This act of his Lord angered Garuda and he left Vaikuntam and reached the rock here at Anthili. Sitting atop the rock, he undertook severe penance that sent heat waves every where that over time generated raging fire.

Anxious at this development, Brahma and the Devas sought the help of Lord Vishnu to cool down his exclusive vehicle, Garuda.

Lord Vishnu set out on a mission from Vaikuntam along with Goddess Lakshmi, finally reaching the rock where the angry Garuda was undertaking penance. An inquisitive Lakshmi questioned her Lord's reasoning for leaving Garuda behind on such an important trip to kill the Asura and she also suggested that it was unreasonable to put Garuda to such hardship.

Lord Vishnu explained the urgency of his task and the immediate need to put an end to Asura Hiranya's wrong doings meant he had to leave without Garuda.

Pleased with Garuda's penance, Lord Vishnu provided darshan here as Narasimha with Lakshmi on his lap. Garuda immediately cooled down on seeing his Lord once again, especially in the Narasimha form which he had missed earlier as he did not accompany the Lord at the time of killing Hiranya.

He requested the Lord to remain here in this cool form (shantha roopi) and provide darshan to all devotees. Also, having missed taking him on the trip to kill Hiranya, Garuda sought the opportunity now to carry the two of them around this place.

An overjoyed Garuda is said to have taken them around Thiru Kovilur, Mugaiyur, Arakandanallur and Paranur, among others.

Festivals
Swathi Thirumanjanam
Narasimha Jayanthi
Hanuman Jayanthi
Vaikunta Ekadesi


Pooja is performed at this temple as per Madhwa Sampradayam. Some of the sculptures inside the temple seem to indicate that there may be a Karnataka connection to the construction.

The Temple is open from 7am to 6pm. Contact Srikanth Bhattar @ 94867 89200

How to reach

Anthili is 35kms West of Villupuram and 1km East of Arakandanallur/ ThiruKovilur Railway Station

( Villupuram-Mugaiyur-Thirukovilur route). Buses every half hour between Villupuram and Thiru Kovilur Divya Desam. One can get down at Arakandanallur Police Station ( 2kms before Thiru Kovilur) and walk one km or take an auto (Rs. 30/-)

Thiru Mukoodal Appan Venkatesan

Lord changed his original Sayana Kolam to provide darshan to Thondaiman Chakravarthy in a standing posture
Tirupathi Lord sent his Original Conch and Chakra, to the king, which are now seen here at this temple
Varadar makes his annual trip to Thiru Mukoodal on Maatu Pongal day


Located about 70kms South of Madras, off the Chengalpet-Kanchipuram SH58 at the confluence of three rivers – Palar, Vegavathi and Cheyyar- is the 2000 year old Appan Venkatesan temple in Thiru Mukoodal. The temple is one km South of Pazhaya Seevaram Narasimha temple on the Salavakkam Highway.

The Story
Kanchi King Thondaiman invoked the blessings of Tirupathi Lord seeking Moksham. The Lord asked him to postpone his trip to Tirupathi as there was a battle to be undertaken at Kanchi and his presence was required there. As part of his best wishes, Lord Venkatachalapathy sent his Conch and Chakra to Thondaiman and helped him win the battle. To this day, the original Conch and Chakra of Tirupathi Lord are seen here at this temple.

When Thondaiman once again sought Tirupathi Lord’s blessings for Moksham, he was asked to go to Thiru Mukoodal. When Thondaimaan Chakravarthy reached here, the Lord who was in a Sayanam Posture stood up and provided darshan in a majestic standing posture. A delighted king called out to him as ‘Appa Venkatesa’ and that name has now come to stay.

Brighu Rishi

Lord Srinivasa provided darshan, facing North, to Brighu Maha Rishi who undertook penance here and hence he is seen in a standing posture facing Northern Direction.

Divya Desam connection

While this is not a Divya Desam, there are some interesting connections with Tirupathi and Oppiliappan Divya Desams. One finds Tirupathi Lord’s Conch and Chakra at this temple. Similar to Oppiliappan temple, Lord Srinivasa is said to have provided darshan to Markandeya Rishi (as Ranganatha in his sayana kolam) and to Bhoodevi as Kannan. Hence, Markandeya Rishi and Bhoo devi are seen by the side of Appan Venkatesan.

Equivalent to Kasi

Having bath at the confluence of the three rivers and undertaking Pitru Tharpanam on the river bank is said to provide Punyam equivalent to having bath in Kasi.

Kanchi Varadar’s annual visit to Thiru Mukoodal

The most popular event at this temple is the annual visit of Lord Varadarajan of Kanchipuram on Maatu Pongal day in January. On this evening, Lord Srinivasa of Thiru Mukoodal welcomes Salavakkam Perumal and Pazhaya Seevaram Narasimha as well as Varadar at this temple. Later in the evening, all these four deities go out on a street procession around Thiru Mukoodal.

Tri Murthy temple
This is a TriMurthy temple- Brahma, Siva and Vishnu. On the head is the matted hair and Netrikan (the third eye) that is symbolic of Shiva. One can see this matted hair at this temple only in the month of Karthigai. The Abhaya hastham Posture of the Lord seen with a Lotus flower is symbolic of Brahma. The Lord seen with a Conch and Chakra is symbolic of Vishnu.

Appar Thirunavukarasar has sung praise of the Lord. Hence, this is also referred to as the ‘Appar’ koil.


Culverts

One of the distinguishing features at the Thiru Mukoodal temple is the large number of inscriptions across the entire stretch on the Eastern walls of the complex. Stories relating to our culture dating back to Raja Raja Chozha, details of lands donated to this temple, performance of daily poojas, festivals round the year have been clearly laid out.

Hospitals
The other interesting aspect was the Hospital and Vedic School that flourished at this place just behind the temple in centuries gone by. There was a full fledged hospital with a number of beds, doctors & nurses and a medicine center.

Vedic School
As seen in other temple stories in this region including Uthira Merur, this place too was renowned for Vedic Education where one was always a witness to vedic chanting and Prabhandham recitals. However, with passage of time, both of these have taken a back seat. The Hospital has been damaged to an extent of no revival.

The temple itself, which is now part of ASI and designated as a protected monument, is in fine shape but no more do we hear the constant vedic recital that was once symbolic of this place.

Priest
Having said that, Shri. Raghunathan Bhattar, the priest here, is a shining example of how priests should be. He must rank as one of the most devoted in a perumal temple performing poojas with utmost sincerity and devotion to the Lord.

Festivals


Krishna Jayanthi
Vaikunta Ekadesi Garuda Sevai
Karthigai

Thiruvonam (Perumal’s star) is special every month

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Appan Venkatesan North Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Alarmel Mangai (Separate Sannidhi)
Utsavar : Srinivasa Perumal

Temple Time : 830am-11am and 4pm-6pm

On Thiruvonam day every month, the temple will be open between 8am- 1pm and 3pm-7pm

On Weekends, temple will be open as above.

Priest: R. Raghunathan Bhattar @ 94437 78352

How to reach

1. Chennai- Tambaram-Walajapet- Pazhaya Seevaram. One has to take a right at Pazhaya Seevaram and cross the Palar Bridge to reach Thiru Mukoodal- 65kms

2. Chennai-Singaperumal Koil- Palur (SH57) - SH58-Pazhaya Seevaram. One has to take a right at Singaperumal Koil (45kms from Madras) on to the SH57. 12kms on this road, just after crossing the Chengalpet-Kanchipuram railway gate at Palur, one will join Chengalpet- Kanchipuram SH 58. 5kms on this road, one should take at left at Pazhaya Seevaram and cross the Palar Bridge to reach Thiru Mukoodal- 65kms

3. Chennai- Chengalpet-Kanchipuram Highway (NH45-SH58). Take a left at Pazhaya Seevaram to reach Thiru Mukoodal-72kms

It is better to take the third route. One can reach Thiru Mukoodal in 20minutes from Chengalpet.

Bed Bugs and Cockroaches stop Sethu Express!!!

Bushes near the shunting station are a reason for cockroaches to find their way into the coaches

In a bizarre incident, Bed Bugs and Cockroaches in the AC Compartment of the Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore Sethu Express meant the train had to be halted for almost 90minutes at the Tiruchchirapalli Junction last week.

When the train was about to leave the station, well past mid night, the passengers pulled down the chain. After spraying the disinfectants and cockroach repellents, when the train was about to leave again, the passengers from the next AC coach rushed out complaining that the cockroaches had changed coaches thanks to the spray.

And now, it was time to spray the disinfectant in the other coach.

Railway Sources say that the reason for this is the lack of attention and supervision at the shunting station. Another important reason is the sprouting of big bushes at many of the shunting places that has aided the bugs and cockroaches to find their way into the coaches.

While cockroaches have been part and parcel of the Sleeper coaches, their presence in the AC coaches leaves one raising the question on the quality of maintenance of the coaches.

Mayiladuthurai Villupuram rail track not safe for express trains

Callous attitude of railways puts passenger lives at risk


CHOZHAN EXPRESS AT MAYAVARAM STATION

If the four long years in the conversion to broad gauge of the 122km Mayiladuthurai-Villupuram section was not bad enough for the rail passengers, there is now more bad news for passengers looking to travel on the Villupuram Mayavaram rail route.

The consumer protection council (Tamil Nadu) has come up with a revelation that is sure to send shock waves to passengers who have booked tickets for the next two months (summer vacation) to travel on this newly re-opened section.(Incidentally, it looks like the this tickets have been completely booked till end of May on this route on the express trains- Kamban Express/ Madurai Express...)

The council reveals that the safety norms, which are an important pre-requisite for running of trains, has not been followed on this 122km section that was re-opened for traffic last Friday evening.

Different Officers for Preliminary and Final Inspections
It has been reliably learnt that for the first time in the Railway history the preliminary inspection (which was conducted on this track in the 2nd week of February this year) was done by one officer and the final inspection was carried out by another officer, who just did not take cognizance of the strong warning provided in the first report.

The report of Shri. KJS. Naidu Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS) who is from the ministry of civil aviation, had condemned almost in every sentence of his report, the shoddy work done on this track compromising safety norms.

Sources claim that even more shocking was the fact that CCRS (Chief Commissioner Railway Safety) Shri Sudhir Kumar ( in the final certification) had certified the track as safe and recommended the operation of trains on this track albeit at a slower pace. This final report, the sources say, did not make a single reference to the report of CRS and the defects mentioned there in and the pending rectification. This callous attitude had put the lives of passengers at huge risk.

Embankment Pit- Not suitable for Broad Gauge

In the report submitted by CRS earlier, as many as 21 points had been reported for rectification including the fact that the embankment pit which was suitable only for meter gauge had been retained and not widened to suit the requirement of broad gauge operations .

This had created a huge length of embankment which had no cess and as such the prevention of stones or blue metal from sliding and spreading can never be averted. This will therefore cause the ballast (a layer of stones under the rails) to roll down causing safety concern.

Poor Soil Treatment on the track


The consumer protection further claims that the soil treatment on the track had not been properly done. The Soil is believed to have a lot of boulder like lumps that has been dumped on the sides of the old embankment without any compaction. The likely impact of this is that the rails may not be able to withstand the weight of the coaches twice heavier than the Meter Gauge coaches and that this could lead to derailing.

Cracks on Track
Also, in several locations across this stretch, lengthwise cracks had also been notified by Mr. Naidu.

Issues with Bridges

Many NEORPRENE BEARINGS were bulged and cracked. The Bridge inspection had spotted as many as 22 such Bearings. The Girder surface was quite uneven. Ballast profile was not as per specifications and in many locations in-shoulder ballast deficiencies were notified. Also, kinky rail, kinky welds were seen throughout the length and rectification had not been done at all.

Even in major bridges, large number of deficiencies had been observed. The results of pile load test and working pile load test were not provided at all despite the fact that it was demanded to be carried out.

Letter to the Railways
The consumer protection council had detailed all these salient features and had addressed written pleas to the Shri. SS Khurana, the Railway Board Chairman, Rakesh Chopra ( part time chairman of RVNL- Railway Vidyut Nigam Ltd- which executed the gauge conversion work), GM- Southern Railway and Commissioner of Railway Safety- Southern Circle Bangalore.

It is believed that the consumer protection council had met with Shri. E. Ahmed, the minister of state-railways at Chennai recently and had handed over the plea, which he is said to have forwarded to the Member Board-Engineering.

Sources say that with the intention of reducing the burden on the contractor (late delivery charges), the Railway Board had in a haste passed the approval by deploying an alternate member from the safety authorities.

Meeting with GM-Southern Railways on 30th April

It is learnt that the Consumer Protection Council would be meeting the GM- SR later this week. They say that if a positive response was not received, the council may resort to filing a Public Interest Litigation in the court in the interest of the travelling public.

Lack of Amenities
When I travelled over the weekend by the Kamban Express (Chennai Nagore), Railway officials in that train stated that there were as many as 17 caution points including signal issues on the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai Section and hence the train will go at a slow speed on this stretch.

It was also noted during this trip that several of the stations remained in very partial completion stage as far as passenger amenities and platform up-gradation including in stations like Chidambaram, Sirkazhi.

At an important tourist station like Kumbakonam, the railway official there indicated that there were currently no retiring rooms at the station and this was unlikely to come up in the foreseeable future. There are just 6 dormitories at the station.

Lakshmi Narasimha Pon Vilaintha Kalathur

The Narasimha Utsavar Deity of Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desam was installed here about 900years ago
Following Vedantha Desigar’s stay here, the entire paddy field had turned into gold



Located 15kms South of Chengalpet is the Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur(PV Kalathur) whose story has a close connection with the Sthala Sayana Perumal Divya Desam at Thiru Kadal Mallai (Mamallapuram).

http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/03/thiru-kadan-mallai-sthala-sayana.html

An interesting story
Several idols at Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desams (there was more than the one temple that we are seeing today) were on the verge of being washed away by the floods. Fearing the loss of the Narasimha idol, it is believed that utsava deity was taken away to a safer place from Thiru Kadal Mallai.

Garuda was given the task of identifying the place where the Lakshmi Narasimha Utsava deity was to be installed. It is said that almost 900 years ago, Garuda came above this temple and circled the vimanam thrice.

Taking this as the endorsement by Garuda as the right place to install, it is said that the Lakshmi Narasimha utsava deity was installed here at Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur) and the temple whose moolavar deity is Vaikunta Vaasa Perumal actually came to be called by the name of the Utsava deity itself.

While this is not a Divya Desam, the fact that the Utsava deity relating to Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desam was installed here makes this a significant and historic temple.

Vedantha Desigar Visits Kalathur

Vedantha Desigar is said to have stayed here for a day on his way from Kanchipuram to Thiru Vahindrapuram. On the evening of his stay, Desigar wanted to feed his favourite Lord, Hayagriva of Thiru Vahindrapuram and went around the village seeking alms. However, with the night having set in and the lights having been lit, the people in the village refused to pass on the food.

Given this scenario, Vedantha Desigar performed the evening pooja with the sacred water (Theertham) and put his favourite Lord to sleep (Sayanam).

It is believed that that night a white horse went around destroying the fields much to the anger of the villagers, who brought this to the notice of Desigar the next morning.

Hearing this, Desigar came out onto the field to witness what had happened. To the surprise of everyone, they found that the field where the horse had placed its feet had turned into gold. Desigar knew it was the work of his favourity deity Hayagriva (who the villagers had allowed to sleep in hunger the previous night!!!)

Hence this place came to be called Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

Parikara Sthalam


This is believed to be a parikara sthalam for unmarried people and to cure health related problems. There are utsavams round the year for Lakshmi Narasimha at this temple.

Festivals

Panguni Brahmotsavam
Sudarshana Homam on January 26 every year
Narasimha Utsavam -300 days a year
Davana Utsavam 2nd Sunday of March every year



Quick Facts

Moolavar : Vaikunta Vaasa Perumal
Goddess : Ahobila Valli Thaayar
Utsavar : Lakshmi Narasimha
Temple Time : 8am-11am and 5pm-730pm
Priest : Babu Bhattar @ 044 27441142/ kasturi bhattar 9384567935

How to reach

From Chengalpet, take the Old GST Road, turn left (1km before the Madras- Trichy National Highway Bye Pass.) into the road leading to Thirukazhakunram via Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur).

About 6kms into this road, one should cross the Ottivakkam railway station gate to reach Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

There are local buses every half hour (during morning and evening) running between Chengalpet and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

One can take a passenger train between Chennai Egmore/Tambaram and Villupuram and get down at Ottivakkam. From Ottivakkam, one can walk to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur).

Auto or a Taxi from Chengalpet is another option.

Chathurbhuja Rama Pon Pathar Koodam

One of the few temples in India where Rama is seen displaying his Chaturbhuja Form
An interesting feature is that one sees Sharp nails on Rama’s fingers, the life line on the palm of his hand, his knee cap and veins on his leg



Located about 70kms South of Madras off the Great Southern Trunk (GST) Road and under 15kms off Chengalpet (near Ottivakkam Railway Station) amidst the green paddy fields is the over 600 year old Chaturbhuja Kothandarama temple at Pon Pathar Koodam near Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

(Within 2kms of each other, one finds an ancient Lakshmi Narasimha temple, a Kothandarama temple, a Darbha Sayana Rama temple and the Chathurbhuja Rama temple at this place)

Chathurbhuja Rama
Since Rama is seen to play the role of a perfect human being (in the Rama Avataar), one does not normally get see to the divine form of Vishnu in Rama’s temples and he is usually seen in a standing posture with a bow and arrow at most temples.

Pon Pathar Koodam is one of the very few temples in India with Rama in a grand sitting Chathurbhuja Posture. (The most prominent of the Chathurbhuja Rama is in Dhandakaranya Kshetram of Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh)



The Story

This was originally a Lakshmi Narayana Sannidhi in the middle of a big forest. Later, Devaraja Rishi, who undertook penance and performed pooja here, is said to have had darshan of Rama in his Chathurbhuja form.

In the entire Ramayana, Rama is said to have displayed his full form with Conch and Chakra only to his mother Kausalya just before he left on his exile to the forest, to Anjaneya when they met for the first time, to Thrijadai (in whose dream the all conquering Rama is said to have appeared), to Ravana’s sister Mandothari in Lanka and to Ravana at the end of the Ramayana battle.

It is in this full divine and not often seen form that one finds Rama at Pon Pathar Koodam- with a conch and chakra with the other two hands in the posture of blessing and protecting the devotees. Also, he is seen in a seated posture with his left leg folded and his right leg placed on the ground. Moolavar Anjaneya is seen standing opposite Rama in a standing posture with folded hands.

Unique Utsava Deity
The Kothandarama utsava deity is also seen in a Chaturbhuja form with Sita to his right and Lakshmana to his left. An interesting featuring of this several centuries old idol is that one finds sharp nails on his fingers, the life line on the palm of his hand, his knee cap and veins on his leg. One is also able to clearly see the individual fingers on his hand. Rama is also seen wearing a ring on his finger.

Yet another interesting feature here is that the Utsava deity’s left leg is a little in front of his right leg, with the bow placed on his left leg almost in a posture of being ready to break the bow and seeking Sita’s hand.



Festivals

Panguni Brahmotsavam
10day Rama Navami
Sudarshana Homam on February 21

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Chathur Bhuja Rama East Facing Sitting Posture
Utsavar : Kothandarama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya
Temple Time : 730am-830am and 5pm-6pm
Contact : Kasturi Rangan Bhattar @ 94437 06842

How to reach Pon Pathar Koodam

From Chengalpet (Old GST Road), take a left into the road leading to Thirukazhakunram via Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. This is 1km before the Madras- Trichy National Highway Bye Pass.

About 6kms into this road, one should cross the Ottivakkam railway station gate to reach Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. 2kms east of Pon Vilaintha Kalathur is the Chathurbhuja Rama temple at Pon Pathar Koodam.

There are local buses every half hour (during morning and evening) running between Chengalpet and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

One can take a passenger train between Chennai Egmore/Tambaram and Villupuram and get down at Ottivakkam. From Ottivakkam, one can walk to the Kothandaramar/ Darbha Sayana Ramar and Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Pon Vilaintha Kalathur and then visit the Chathurbhuja Rama temple (about 2kms from the above mentioned temples)

One can take an auto/car from Chengalpet bus stand/railway station to reach this temple within 20-30minutes.

Mayiladuthurai Villupuram rail route to re-open today

Chozhan Express to run on this route before end of April
One other passenger train to run between Thanjavur and Chennai Egmore

RENOVATION WORK AT MAYILADUTHURAI STATION

After four long years of wait, the 122 kms rail route between Villupuram and Mayiladuthurai will re-open this evening(23rd April 2010) with a passenger train that will leave Villupuram Junction at 620pm. The train will reach Mayliduthurai at 10.10pm tonight.

I had written in December 2009 that the rail route was unlikely to resume before Summer 2010, even though there were widespread reports that the rail route will become operational by Pongal 2010.
(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/chennai-mayavaram-railway-line-delayed.html)
(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/02/chennai-mayavaram-railway-route.html)

Two way services between Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram are likely to commence tomorrow morning.

Contrary to reports in leading Tamil daily Dinamalar(which has incidentally played a stellar role in showcasing, over the last 2-3years, the need for the fast completion of the broad gauge conversion) that featured this morning, the passenger train that was scheduled to start at 6am this morning has not taken off.

High Court DirectionAfter several lame excuses, this last minute effort by the railways is in line with the Madras High Court order last month (March 23,2010) which directed the railways to start operations on the Mayavaram-Villupuram rail route within a month. The deadline ends today and hence the plan to run the passenger train today.

Highly placed sources in the railways confirmed that 2 other trains including one Express train are likely to run on this route before the end of this month.

Chozhan ExpressThe once popular Chozhan Express between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchirapalli Junction and another popular passenger train between Thanjavur and Chennai Egmore is likely to become operational within the next 10days,bringing the much needed relief to passengers in the Mayiladuthurai, Seerkazhi and Chidambaram.

As mentioned earlier in this blog, there are a number of temples in the Mayiladuthurai/Seerkazhi belt as well as an important Sea Port in Cuddalore and an Educational Institution in Chidambaram.

Seerkazhi Station
The re-opening of day train and a night express on the Villupuram- Mayiladuthurai route will be welcome relief for travellers on this route especially during this summer vacation where the crowd is expected to jump many-fold.

LATE EVENINNG ANNOUNCEMENT
Southern Railway has this evening announced that Chennai-Nagore Night Exp and Chennai-Trichy Day Exp(both daily trains) will become operational from tomorrow 24th April.

Also, Chennai-Madurai bi weekly express will start operating from this weekend while Varanasi Rameswaram weekly express will start operating from the next weekend (2nd May).

This is likely to greatly facilitate travel between Chennai -Mayavaram/Kumbakonam/Thanjavur.

It remains to be seen if Rockfort express will be brought back to its original route Chennai-Trichy(for the last few years, the train has been running upto Kumbakonam). There are differing views on whether it should continue to run up to Kumbakonam. One will have to wait and watch Southern Railway's action on this front.

Pullam Bhoothangudi Valvil Rama Divya Desam

Jatayu Moksham
Rama performs the last rites for Eagle King Jatayu at Pullabhoothangudi

Located 10kms West of Kumbakonam and 3kms off Swami Malai on the Thiruvaikavur road between Cauvery and Coloroon rivers is the Valvil Rama temple in Pullam Bhoothangudi, a Divya Desam whose legendary tale dates back to Ramayana and praised in 10 verses by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse. This is the only Divya Desam where Rama is seen with conch and chakra in a Bala Sayanam Posture.

வெற்பால் மாறி பழுது ஆக்கி
விறல் வாள் அரக்கர் தலைவன் தன்
வற்பு ஆர் திரள் தோல் ஐந் நான்கும்
துனித்த வல் வில் ராமன் இடம்

கற்பு ஆர் புரிசை செய் குன்றம்
கவின் ஆர் கூடம் மாளிகைகள்
பொற்பு ஆர் மாடம் எழில் ஆறும்
புள்ள பூதங்குடி தானே - Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Rama’s presence at Pullam Bhoothangudi
The story goes that Rama, in search of Sita, arrives in Pullabhoothangudi to the cries of the Eagle King Jataayu, who was in his last breath. The Eagle King, an old friend of King Dasharatha (father of Rama) had fought a valiant battle trying to rescue Sita from Raavana, before the Lankan king finally cut off both the wings of the fighting bird. Lying in pain and unable to fly any further, the bird breathed its last uttering the words “ Rama Rama” and informing him that Sita had been taken away by Raavana.

Pithru Saabha Nivarthi
Legend has it that Rama, who had not been able to perform the last rites for his father as he was away in the forest, derived some consolation by performing Jatayu's obsequies and giving moksham to the Bird. In the Ramayana, this episode is referred to as the death of the second father. It is believed that those who failed to perform last rites for their father (parents) will get liberation from their ‘parental curse’ (Pithru Saabham Nivarthi) if they visit this temple.

While performing the last rites, Raama felt the absence of Sita. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi came out of the Golden Lotus temple tank to stand by his side while he performed the last rites for the bird. Hence, Thaayar at this temple is called Potraamaraiyaal.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar misses Rama's presence
Thirumangai, who passed this way, found a person relaxing in a sleeping posture under the tree , and walked away mistaking him for a Kshatriya. On turning back, he found Raama in his ‘Full Divine Form’- with Conch- Disc and four hands.

Thirumangai refers to this episode in his Periya Thiru Mozhi Pasuram on Pullam Bhoothangudi:
அறிவதறியான் அணைத்து உலகும் உடையான் 
என்னை யாழ் உடையான்
குரிய மானி யாருவாய,
கூத்தன் மன்னி யமிருமிடம்

நறிய மலர்மேல் சுரும் பார்க்க
எழிலார் மஞ் னஞ நடமாட
பொறிகொள் சிறை வண்டிசை பாடும்
புள்ளம் பூதங்குடி தானே.

This is the only temple where Raama is in a reclining posture with all his ornaments and 4 hands. Sita is not seen with the Moolavar deity as this temple relates to the time when Raama is separated from her.

Prarthana Sthalam
Many devotees are believed to have got employment after visiting Yoga Narasimha Sannidhi at this temple, so much so that the devotees have named it the Udyoga Narasimha. This is a Parikara Sthalam dedicated to Buthan (Mercury)

The temple is administered by Ahobila Mutt.

Quick Facts
Moolavar :Valvil Rama East Facing Bhujanga Sayanam
Goddess :Potramaraiyaal
Azhvaar :Thiru Mangai Azhvaar – 10 Paasurams in Periya Thirumozhi

The temple is open from 730am-1230pm and 4pm-730pm. Contact Gopalan Bhattachar @ 94435 25365

How to reach
Local Bus Nos. 12 and 30 ply from Kumbakonam to Pullam Bhoothangudi (via Swami Malai) on way to Thiruvaikavoor. Thiru Athanur Divya Desam is under a km East of this temple.


Where to stay
Staying facilities available at Ahobila Mutt Guest House next to the temple. A number of economical and deluxe hotels are available in Kumbakonam


Gopalan Bhattar and his father have been performing aradhana at the Divya Desam for the last 75 years (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/05/pullam-bhoothangudi-divya-desam.html)