Agaramel Pachai Varana Perumal Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Agaramel, Nazareth Pettai,

Thiruvallur – 600069

Mobile: +91 96002 21378

Moolavar

Varana Perumal / Haritha Varana Perumal

Amman

Amruthavall.

Introduction

Pachai Varana Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Agaramel near Nazrath Pettai in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Haritha Vaarana Perumal Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Pachai Varana Perumal / Haritha Varana Perumal and Mother is called as Amruthavall. The Temple is situated between Thirumazhisai and Poonamallee.

Puranic Significance

Mudaliandan, also known as Daasarathi, was the son of Anantha Narayana Dikshitar and Nachiyaramma, who was a sister of the illustrious Sri Ramanuja. Mudaliandan was born in the year 1027 after his parents were blessed by Lord Rama in their dreams. He, along with Koorathazhwaan, was a prominent disciple of Swami Ramanuja and rendered yeoman services to his teacher. He was the head of all Sishyas of Ramanuja which earned him the name as Mudaliandan and is believed to have lived for 105 years till 1132. He was born in this site, and hence this temple is considered as the Avathara sthalam (birth place) of Mudaliyandan.

When the elephant named Ashwathama was killed during Mahabharata battle, Yudhistra lied to his Guru that his son Ashwathama was killed. By hearing this news, Drona was distracted and shocked. Using this opportunity, he was beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna. To get rid of this sin, based on the advice of the saint Narada, Yudhistra performed a yagna in this site. Lord Krishna appeared in the form of a green elephant from yagna and blessed him. Hence, he is called as Haritha Varana Perumal in Sanskrit (Haritha mean Green and Varana mean Elephant) or Pachai Varna Perumal in Tamil (Pachai mean Green and Varana mean Elephant). Accepting the prayers of Yudhishthira, the Lord remained here.

Special Features

The Temple is east facing with single prakaram. This temple has a five-tier gopura over the eastern entrance. There is four pillared Mandapam belongs to Vijayanagar period is found in front of the Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Pachai Varana Perumal / Haritha Varana Perumal. The main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu along with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. The idols of God and two Goddesses in the main sanctum are in the sitting posture and are very big. The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old.

As Lord Krishna took the form of green elephant, he got the name of Pachai Varna Perumal in Tamil language and Haritha Vaarana Perumal in Sanskrit language, which means “green colored”. The Lord Graces with four arms, the right ones are holding the discus and showing abhaya, while the left arms are holding conch and pointing to his divine feet. He graces under the Dharma Koti Vimana.

The handsome Utsava Idol of Perumal and Ubhaya Nachiyar in standing posture are seen in front along with those of Andal and Sudarshana. The pillared passage leading to this shrine, houses the idols of Ananthan, Garudan, Vishvaksena, Swami Ramanuja and many of the Azhwars & Acharyas. It is in this pillared pavilion that the numerous mounts (vahanas) of the deity such as Garudan, Hanumantha, Horse Elephant, Sesha and more which are in an excellent condition are kept.

Opposite to the main shrine, Garuda is present in a small shrine and the flag staff is also present. Mother is called as Amruthavalli. The Mother Shrine is situated to the right of the main shrine and the shrine dedicated to Andal is also seen in this prakara. There is a mandapa in front of the Mother Shrine supported by very slender, beautiful pillars which reveal the exquisite craftsmanship of the master-artisans of the ancient Tamil Nadu.

There is a separate shrine for Mudaliandan in the Temple. This shrine faces south, has the stone moolavar and metal Utsava images of this famous preceptor seen here with folded palms (Anjali Hastha). There is also a small shrine for Manavala Mamunigal in front of the Mudaliandan shrine facing east. There is shrine for Rama with Sita and Lakshmana beside him and a shrine for Utsava Idols can be seen to the right of Rajagopuram after entering the Temple. There is a separate shrine for Hanuman in this temple. Theertham associated with this Temple is Dharma Pushkarini and it is situated diagonally opposite the temple.

Festivals

Among the festivals conducted in this temple, the Brahmotsavam starting from Uthiram Nakshatram in the month of Panguni and Thirunakshatram (birth star) festival of Mudaliandan are celebrated with great pomp for ten days in Chithirai with Satrumurai on Punarpoosam. The Pavithrotsavam is also celebrated in this shrine in the month of Aippasi. The rituals in this temple are done according to the tenets of the Vaikhanasa Aagamam.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com