Koyambedu Sri Kanakavalli Thaayaar Udanurai Vaikundavasa Perumal Temple- Chennai

Address

Koyambedu Sri Kanakavalli Thaayaar Udanurai Vaikundavasa Perumal Temple- Virrugambakkam, Koyambedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600107 Phone: +91 – 44- 2479 6237, 6569 9626.

Diety

Sri Vaikundavasal Perumal Amman: Sri Kanakavalli

Introduction

Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal temple is situated in Koyambedu, Chennai, adjacent to Sri Kurungaaleeswarar temple. It is also another one of the oldest temple in Chennai and according to inscriptions, it is 1500 years old. During 12th century this temple was developed by Kulothunga chozha and Vijayanagar kings. It is seen from the ancient scriptures that this place in ancient days was known as Kosai Nagar, Koyattipuram and Prayachithapuram. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa and Neem Theertham : Lavakucha theertham

Puranic Significance

When Lord Rama sent the pregnant Sita away suspecting her fidelity based on rumours by a dhobi, Sita went away to some forest called Veesharanyam far away. Sage Valmiki’s ashram was said to have been here. She was then taken care of by sage Valmiki. She gave birth to twins Lava and Kusa. They were leading a normal life of hermits. One day, for conducting Aswamedha Yagna, Lord Rama at Ayodhya sent the Aswamedha horse towards the south. The horse reached this place then known as Kosai Nagar, which is presently called Koyembedu. Lava and Kusa captured the horse and refused to let go. Rama sent a battalion in search of the horse and when the battalion encountered Lava and Kusa, the strong battalion was defeated by the boys and they returned empty handed. Rama’s brother Bharatha ,Shatrughna came and were also defeated. Finally an enraged Lakshman came and he was also defeated. A very much puzzled Lord Rama then came and started a fierce battle with the boys Lava and Kusa. Sage Valmiki then revealed to the children the identity of Sri Rama as their own father and Sri Rama also realised that they are his sons. Sage Valmiki requested Rama to stay there and Maha Vishnu’s reincarnation Sri Rama agreed and stayed here as Vaikundavasa. There are several sculptures in this temple highlighting the fact. The east side of the temple has an unfinished Rajagopuram. As you enter the temple, there is a bali peedam, a tall copper plated Kodi Maram in the east entrance, and Garudazhwar sannidhi in front of that. In the praharam you can see three closely arranged trees. Apart from two neem trees there is a Vilvam tree in between these two. People believe these represent Siva, Parvathi and Narayana and as if Narayana is giving away his sister Parvathi to Siva in the wedding. Vilva tree in a Vaishanvite temple is very rare. Moolavar Vaikundavasa Perumal with ashta bhujam (four arms) is seen in Nindra thirukolam (standing posture) along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. There is an idol of Vaikanasa maharishi inside the sanctum. ( He is the one who is believed to have framed the rules for architecture and worship practices in Vaishnavite temples). This idol of Vaikanasa maharishi is very rarely seen in other Vaishanvite temples. There is a separate sannidhi for Sri Rama and Sita in front of the moolvar sannidhi. The specialty of Rama and Sita is, they are seen without Lakshmana and Hanuman, dressed in a very simple attire which they were wearing in forests during their Vanavasam and. In the sannidhi the idols of Alwars in a line. Near to that is an idol of pregnant Sita with a lotus on her left hand and next to her is the idols of Lava and Kusa with Sage Valmiki. This is a rare sight which you cannot see in any other temples. Thayaar Sri Kanagavalli has a seperate sannidhi on the outer prakaram at the left of the Vaikundavasa Perumal sannidhi. Sri Aandaal shrine is located at the right side.

Beliefs

Married women pray to Lord for children of knowledge and wisdom. Those who had committed wrongs knowingly get relief from such sins. Unmarried women pray on Tuesdays with a Mangal Sutra tied to the Parvathi Swayamva tree. People develop the quality of sacrifice, tolerance and selflessness assuring family prosperity when they worship in this temple where Mother Sita stayed. Devotees offer Sari (Vastra) and perform abishek to the mother on realizing their prayers. The theertham for this temple is ‘Lava Kusa Theertham’ which is believed to have been created by the two sons of Sri Rama. The same tank serves as Theertham for Sri Kurungaaleeswarar temple, which lies just adjacent to this temple.

Special Features

Usually, Vaikunda Perumaal temples will have the presiding deity in sitting posture. But here Perumal is seen in standing posture along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. This temple is also famous for its shrine for Sri Rama and Sita Devi. Sri Rama and Sita are found just outside the sanctum unusually on normal clothing instead of being dressed like King and Queen. Sita Devi is seen on a regular Saree with her hair do (called Kodaali Kondai) as an ordinary woman. It is made to signify their posture when they spent 14 years in the forest.

Festivals

Brahmmotsavam in Aani (June-July), 10 day Vaikasana festival in Aadi (July-August), Lord wedding festival in Panguni Uthiram (March-April), and special pujas on Tiruvonam star days are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple.