Neervalur Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Neervalur Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Neervalur Village, Kanchipuram district -602108.

Deity

Lakshmi Narayana Perumal

Introduction

• Location:
  • Situated in Neervalur, a village approximately 15 km from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Accessible via the Chennai-Bangalore highway; take a detour near the abandoned Pamban oil mill to reach the temple.
  • About 14 km from the Kanchipuram city bus stand.
  • Nearest railway station: Kanchipuram; nearest airport: Chennai.

Puranic Significance

• Legend of Avvayar:
  • The Tamil poetess Avvayar visited the village, seeking water, but was denied. She cursed the village to suffer from water scarcity.
• Sri Ramanuja’s Intervention:
  • Many years later, Sri Ramanuja appeared in the dream of the 6th pontiff of the Ahobila Mutt, revealing the location of a buried idol of Vishnu near Kanchipuram.
  • After securing barren land in Neervalur from the skeptical king, Sri Ramanuja prayed to Lord Narasimha for rain, which resulted in torrential downpours that ended the drought.
  • Following a snake, Sri Ramanuja discovered the idols of Lakshmi Narayana and his consorts, leading to the temple’s construction.
  • The village, initially barren, became known as Neervalur (meaning “water” in Tamil) due to the formation of a large lake named Jeeyar Kulam.
  • The temple is also referred to as Sri Bhashyapuram, honoring Sri Ramanuja’s contributions and his philosophical work, the Sri Bhashya.

Special Features

• The Ahobila Mutt Jeeyar installed a small deity of Ugra Narasimha in the temple.
• Efforts to construct a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi were abandoned after the Lord revealed in dreams that he embodies both Lakshmi and Narayana.
• The temple, managed by the Ahobila Mutt, is approximately 1000 years old and includes a shrine for Lord Jwala Narasimha.
• The resident priest stays next to the temple, which is a must-visit site for travelers to Kanchipuram.

Festivals

• Notable festivals celebrated at the temple include:
  • Purattasi Brahmotsavam
  • Panguni Uthiram
  • Masi Makam
  • Vaikasi Visakam
  • Thiru Karthikai
  • Vaikunda Ekadashi
  • Sravana Deepam

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Neervalur

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipuram

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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