Chettipunnyam Varadharaja Perumal Temple (Hayagriva Temple), Kanchipuram

Address

Chettipunnyam Varadharaja Perumal Temple (Hayagriva Temple), Chettipunnyam Village, Kanchipuram District, TamilNadu – 603 204. Phone: +91 8675127999

Deity

Varadharaja Perumal / Yoga Hayagrivar / Devanatha Swamy Amman: Hemabuja Nayagi.

Introduction

• Location: Chettipunnyam Village, near Chengalpet Town, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.
• Deities:
  • Moolavar: Sri Varadaraja Perumal
  • Utsavar: Devanatha Perumal
  • Goddess: Hemabuja Nayagi
• Significance: Known as Yoga Hayagrivar Temple, it blesses devotees with education and knowledge.
• Accessibility: Located about 30 km from Tambaram on the west of GST Road, after Singapperumal Koil.

Puranic Significance

• Age: Believed to be around 1000 years old.
• Historical Context: Originally had only the Moolavar and Utsavar images of Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram.
• Name Origin: Chettipunnyam is named after Chettiar weavers and dyers who lived in the area.
• Deity’s Form: Hayagriva is depicted as a horse-faced figure of Vishnu, symbolic of the primary Guru and giver of knowledge.
• Mythology: Lord Vishnu, in the form of Hayagriva, retrieved the Vedas from demons Madhu and Kaidaba and handed them back to Lord Brahma.

Beliefs

• Student Visits: Many students visit the temple praying for good scores in examinations.
• Prayers and Wishes: Students leave their exam roll numbers and wishes written on the temple walls, despite administration requests to refrain from doing so.
• Honey Neivedyam: People with speaking disorders may offer honey as a remedy.
• Azhinjal Tree: Located in the prakaram, where students tie cloth pieces and arrange stones while praying.

Special Features

• Worship Practices: Although the main deity is Varadharaja Perumal, Yoga Hayagrivar attracts many devotees due to his association with education and knowledge.
• Idol Details:
  • Varadharaja Perumal is accompanied by two consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.
  • Utsavar, Devanaadha Perumal, is depicted with a Prayoga Chakra, which is rare.
  • Yoga Hayagriva is seen in a yogic posture without Sri Lakshmi.
• Shrines:
  • Separate shrines for Rama, Lakshmanan, Sita, Hanuman, Andal, Alwars, and Garuda.
  • The prakaram features idols of Hayagriva and Nagaraja.
  • A significant shrine for Lord Rama (Kothanda Raman) alongside Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
• Temple Management: Under the control of the HR and CE Department with properties donated by philanthropists.

Festivals

• Key Celebrations:
  • Vaikasi Makam: Celebrated for Lord Devanatha, marking the day he was brought to the temple.
  • Hayagriva Jayanthi: Celebrated on Avani Thiruvonam, drawing thousands of devotees.
  • Other Festivals: Parivettai (Thai), Adhyayana Utsavam, Adi Pooram, Panguni Uthiram, Sri Ramanavami, and Sattrumurai for Nammazhwar, Ramanuja, and Desikar.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Chettipunnyam

Nearest Railway Station

Singapperumal kovil

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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