Kumbakonam Veda Narayana Perumal Temple (Brahma) Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Kumbakonam,

Thanjavur District – 612 001

Mobile: +91 94865 68160

Moolavar

Veda Narayana Perumal

Amman

Veda Valli Thayar

Introduction

Brahma Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Kumbakonam Town in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Veda Narayana Perumal and Mother is called as Veda Valli Thayar. Though the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, this temple is generally known as Brahma Temple.

Puranic Significance

Once, Lord Brahma became arrogant thinking that he was the only person capable of creation and was superior to both Shiva and Vishnu. Lord Vishnu sent a ghost (Bhooda) to Brahma who trembled on seeing the creature. He ran to Lord Vishnu saying that a ghost not created by him was threatening and sought protection. Lord Vishnu said that it was created by him to check his pride and that he would also forget the art of creation. When begged for a remedy, Lord Vishnu suggested that he should go to Earth and perform penance. Lord Brahma chose Kumbakonam that stays stable even after the destroying Pralaya floods. All the Devas assisted Brahma in his penance. Pleased with Brahma’s penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him, taught the Vedas and reinstated Brahma to his earlier status. Hence, he came to be called as Veda Narayana Perumal and Mother came to be called as Vedavalli. To facilitate the final bath of Lord Brahma and the Devas after the penance, Lord Vishnu created a river with his club known as Hari Sollaru. It got corrupted to Arasalaru today.

Beliefs

Devotees perform special pujas for Lord Brahma and Mothers Saraswathi and Gayatri before admitting children to school. Special pujas are performed during Thursdays. Pujas are performed for Mother Mahalakshmi on Fridays and Perumal on Saturdays for relief from debt burdens. Homas are performed for Lord Yoga Narasimha by devotees for longevity on their 60th, 70th and 80th birthday occasions. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering vastras.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1200 years old. This is a small Temple with an entrance arch with stucco images of Narayana Perumal, Brahma and Yoga Narasimha with their consorts respectively. Though the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, this temple is generally known as Brahma Temple. Presiding deity is called as Veda Narayana Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum. He is flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. He is in sitting posture. There is a separate shrine for Lord Brahma to the right side of the sanctum. He is flanked by Saraswathi and Gayatri. He is in standing posture. He is having four faces. However, the fourth face which is in the back is generally covered by a cloth. The fourth face could be seen as a reflection in the mirror behind the idol and it is the face of Mother Gayathri. There is a shrine for Yoga Narasimha to the left side of the sanctum. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. It is unique as the Lord is present with two Thayars, generally Narasimhar is seen with Lakshmi only. There is a separate shrine for Vedavalli Thayar, the consort of Veda Narayana Perumal, in the prakaram. There are shrines for Srinivasa Perumal, Dhanvatri and Andal in the Temple premises.