Periya Aiyampalayam Uthamaraya Perumal Temple – Thiruvannamalai

Address

Periya Aiyampalayam Uthamaraya Perumal Temple – Thiruvannamalai

Periya Aiyampalayam, Arani Taluk,

Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu – 632 315

Phone: +91 4181 248 224 / 248 424 Mobile: +91 93455 24079

Moolavar

Uthamaraya Perumal

Amman

Sridevi and Bhoodevi

Introduction

Location:

• Situated in Periya Aiyampalayam Village, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.
• Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Uthamaraya Perumal, along with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
• Theertham (sacred waterbody): Perumal Theertham.
• Agama tradition: Vaikanasam Agamam.

Puranic Significance:

1. Miracle of the Dumb Boy:
   • A dumb boy grazing sheep encountered an old man on the mount who asked him to inform villagers of his arrival.
   • The boy, miraculously able to speak, shared the encounter.
   • Villagers rushed to the mount and witnessed the old man reveal himself as Lord Vishnu holding a discus and conch.
   • To commemorate this divine blessing, they erected the temple and named the deity Uthamaraya Perumal.
   • The Vijayanagara kings later renovated the temple extensively.
2. Meditation Cave:
   • A meditation cave near the shrine is believed to be the site where Perumal granted darshan to the dumb boy.

Beliefs and Practices:

• Speech Miracles:
  • Devotees, particularly children with speech impairments or stammering issues, seek blessings for clear speech.
  • Abishek with honey is performed; the honey is applied on the child’s tongue using Tulsi.
  • Honey is distributed as Prasadam and believed to enhance speech skills when consumed regularly.
  • Lecturers and singers also pray for better speech clarity and voice modulation.
• Devotees’ Prayers:
  • To overcome evil thoughts.
  • Unmarried individuals pray for a suitable match.
  • Relief from Naga doshas (serpent-related planetary afflictions).
  • Rituals include turmeric paste dressing for Nagas and offering Maa Vilakku (lamp made of rice flour and ghee).
• Offerings:
  • Devotees perform abishek and offer vastras (clothes) to the deity.
  • Articles equal to their body weight (Tulabaram) are offered upon fulfillment of prayers.

Special Features:

• Temple built in the 14th century Vijayanagara period.
• Lord Vishnu’s unique association with blessings for speech skills.
• Ritualistic significance of Perumal Theertham and its benefits for devotees.
• High devotional footfall on Saturdays in Thai (January-February) and Purattasi (September-October) months.

Festivals:

1. Makara Festival (Thai Third Day – January 16):
   • Celebrates the darshan granted by Lord Vishnu to the dumb boy.
   • Includes special abishekam, decorations, and a grand procession of the Lord with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
2. Vijayadasami (September-October):
   • Procession associated with Navarathri celebrations.
3. Vishnu Karthikai (November-December):
   • Special rituals and processions observed.
4. Saturdays in Thai and Purattasi Months:
   • Devotees light Maa Vilakku lamps and perform special prayers.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/02/uthamaraya-perumal-temple-periya.html

Century/Period

1500 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Periya Aiyampalayam

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvannamalai

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

lightuptemple