Athalanallur Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Athalanallur, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu- 627426

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 287195 / 287295

Moolavar

Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal

Amman

Therku Nachiyar and Vadakku Nachiyar.

Introduction

Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Athalanallur Village near Veeravanallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Moolam and Utsava Moorthy is Gajendra Varadan. Mother is called as Therku Nachiyar and Vadakku Nachiyar. Holy Theertham is Thamirabarani River. It is located 12 Kms North East of Ambasamudram and about 42 Kms from Thirunelveli amidst green fields on the Eastern Banks of over flowing Tamaraibarani. As per inscriptions inside the temple that date back to 1800 years, this place was referred to as Athaani Nallur (Athaani = Elephant), yet another indication for the elephant episode connection to this temple.

Puranic Significance

Gajendra Moksham:

The popular legend of Gajendra Moksha is associated with this temple. It should be noted that there are several other temples which claim to have associated with this legend. A king, Indradhyumna by name ruled the region in accordance with the advice of Sage Agasthya, his Guru. One day, he failed to receive the Guru when he came to his court as he was engaged in entertainments. Angry Agasthya cursed him to become an elephant and be their head in the jungles. He fell on the earth as an elephant bearing the name Gajendran – head of elephants. Similarly, a Gandharva, a community noted for its musical skills, fell to the curse of Sage Kabila. While the sage was bathing in the river, the Gandharva, not meaning to offend him, caught hold of the legs of the sage as he was also bathing the river. The angry sage cursed him to become a crocodile. He told the Gandharva that he would remain a crocodile till Lord Vishnu would cut his head with his discus. King Indradhyumna and the Gandharva thus began their cursed lives in earth and water then. Due to scarcity of water caused by famine, the elephants came to River Tambiraparani to quench their thirst. The crocodile in the river caught hold of Gajendra who fought with the creature to free itself from its hold. The struggle went on for thousands of years. Gajendra saw a lotus bud in the middle of the river and immediately thought of Lord Vishnu and offered it to him crying ‘Adhimoolame’. Lord rushed to the rescue of the animal and cut off the crocodile with his discus. When the Lord gave his hand to Gajendra to drag him to the bank, he requested the Lord to stay there itself to rescue people in distress. Lord obliged the prayers and stayed in this holy soil. Both were simultaneously relieved of the curses. It is strongly believed that salvation is certain to those who worship in this temple where Indradhyumna cursed as elephant and a Gandharva cursed as crocodile attained salvation. The sins of the devotee get washed off.

Lord Vishnu darshan to Sages Brugu & Markandeya:

As per another legend, the sages Brugu and Markandeya got darshan of Lord Vishnu in this site on the banks of the river Tamirabarani.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals, child boon, harmony in family life, progress in education, a job corresponding to qualifications, disappearance of family problems, prosperity, business development, illness-free healthy life and success in realizing the desires. To realize their boons, devotees perform special Tirumanjanam to Lord Gajendra Varada with silk clothing and those wealthy offer jewels. They also offer Poochattai (garlands densely knit).

Special Features

The temple is located on the banks of the beautiful river Tamirabarani. The river is located on the backside of the temple. The temple is facing the east direction and has a stunningly colorful five tier tower (Raja Gopuram). There is another tower found after entering into the entrance. The area between both the towers is full of pillars with beautiful carvings. The sanctum sanctorum has the main deity Aadi Moolam; he is found with four arms and in the standing posture; his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are found in the standing posture on his either sides.

The sages Markandeya and Bhrigu are also found inside the main shrine. As per the legend, they got darshan of Lord in this site. The metal (Utsava) processional idols of Gajendra Varadan along with his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are also found in the same shrine. Also, a separate Utsava idol of Andal is found here. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapa, the sculptures of Dwarapalas are found to be huge in size. As usual, the sub-shrine of Garuda, flag staff and Bali peetha are found facing the main shrine.

The main shrine is built as per ‘maada kovil’ architectural style. Hence, the main shrine is found on a raised platform and you can reach that by climbing up few steps. Also, as per this architectural style, there is a front side mandapa with carved pillars. The vimana called as ‘Indira Vimana’ and the back side wall of the main shrine are artistically beautiful. The temple has two prakaras. The outer prakara is an open space found with trees and plants

The inner prakara has the shrines of Goddesses – Therku Nachiyar (Lakshmi) and Vadakku Nachiyar (Bhoo Devi). Also, the idols of ten Avatars of Vishnu – Dasavatharam, Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama, and a sub shrine of Paramapatha Nathar – a stucco idol of Vishnu in the sitting posture are all found in the inner prakara. In Maha Mandapa, the sub-shrines of Andal and Vishwaksenar are found.

Near Garuda’s idol, Chakkarathalwar with Narasimha holding four discuses on his back side and the sub-shrine of Hanuman are located. The temple is full of beautiful carvings. Many of them depict Dasavathara scenes or the scenes related to Gajendra Moksha legend. Pure rice is offered as Nivedhana to Lord. The temple was built by kings which represents the architecture of their period. There are many epigraphic evidences too.

A rock inside the temple tank referred to as the Elephant Rock, reference to the Gajendra Moksham episode having taken place in the foot of the Pothigai hills and the presence of Sage Agastya inside the moolavar sannidhi are believed to be indications of this temple’s association with the legendary event.

Festivals

3 day Thai Poosam festival in January-February, Chithirai first day falling almost on April 14, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Tirukarthikai in November-December, 30 day Margazhi puja in December-January, last Saturdays of Tamil months and all Saturdays in Purattasi (September-October) are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Garuda Sevai on Vaikasi Uthiradam, Aani Swathi, Puratasi Thiruvonam, Thai Poosam, Muthangi Sevai on Vaikunda Ekadasi and Chandra Prabha / Sesha Vahana procession are the events celebrated with much fanfare. On the morning of Vaikunta Ekadasi, there will be a Special Sayana Sevai. Till 1970, festivals were celebrated round the year but since then many of the festivals have been stopped.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/gajendra-varadaraja-perumal-temple.html