Therazhundur Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam

Diety: Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal, Amman: Sengamalavalli Thayar.
Temple Address: Therazhundur Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam District 609808,Phone: 080568 69235
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Devaadi Raja Perumal temple (also called Amaruviappan temple) in Therazhundur, a village in Mayiladuthurai district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Amaruviappan and his consort Lakshmi as Sengamalavalli Thayar. Amaruviappan temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Theertham : Darshana Pushkarini

Puranic Significance

As per local legend, Uparisiravasu, a king obtained boons after severe penance for years from Brahma that would enable him to fly with his chariot. While flying at this place, his chariot (locally called ther) fell in waters and splashed on sage Agasthya who was doing penance. The chariot got stuck in the place and hence it came to be known as Theranzhundur (where the chariot got immersed). Another variant, Uparisiravasu ruled in favour of celestial deities against the sages and the sages cursed that his chariot would not any further and it got stuck in the place. A third variant notes that the king did not heed the request of her queen to get down to worship Vishnu at this place while flying in his chariot and on account of divine powers his chariot was held at this place. As per Hindu legend, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, drove the cattle belonging to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. Krishna created another herd in the meanwhile. Realising that the herd belonged to Krishna, Brahma apologized and wished Krishna to set his abode at this place. Since Krishna appeared for the cattle and settled here, the presiding deity is called Amaruviappan (the one who is flanked by cattle). Following the legend, the presiding deity in the sanctum is portrayed with cattle surrounding him. As per another legend, Prahalad, an ardent devotee of Vishnu feared Narasimha, the avatar that killed Hiranya, the demon father of Prahalad. Amaruviappan appeared to console Prahalad. There is another belief that Kaveri, the river goddess prayed Amaruviappan to relieve herself off the curse by sage Agastya. Vishnu was pleased by the devotion of Kaveri and appeared here to please her devotion.

Beliefs

Dhari Dharma Devata, Uparisiravasu, Cavery, Garuda, Sage Agasthya had the darshan of the Lord in this place. People pray for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals, child boon, and excellence in academic pursuits.Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Perumal offering Vastras.

Special Features

Amaruviappan temple is located in Therazhundur, a village located 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mayiladuthurai in Mayiladuthurai district. The temple is believed to have been built by Karikala Chola during the 1st century CE, with additions in the later century. The temple tank is located in front of the temple and the temple is approached to the roads in the embankment. The temple has a five tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower that pierces the granite concentric walls. The central shrine houses the image of Devadi raja Perumal in standing posture and the festival deity Amaruviappan, housed under the Garuda Vimanam. There are also other images of cattle and sages in the sanctum. There is a separate shrine of Sengamalavalli, the consort of Amaruviappan in the second precinct. There are separate shrines for Agastya, Narasimha, Rama, Viswaksena, Hanuman and Azhwars. Adisesha, Surya Prabhai, Indra Vimanam, horse and elephant are the mounts used for Amaruviappan. For the goddess, the mounts used are Surya Prabhai. Yali, Swan, elephant and lion. The sub-temples of this shrine are Govindarajar temple. here are two water bodies associated with the temple along with river Kaveri, namely Darsa Pushkarani located in front of the temple and Gajendra Pushkarani in the northern side.

Festivals

Chithirai (April): Vasanthothsavam: Five days,Rama Navami (April/May) : Sri Ramar uthsavam: 5 days:,Sri Jayanthi Utsavam (Aug-Sep) : Sri Krishna Utsavam Vaikasi (May/June) : Brahmothsavam 14 days: Thiruther on Sravanam Adi (July/August) : Andal Uthsavam, Pathinettam Perukku uthsavam Purattasi ( Sep – Oct ) : Desikar uthsavam : 13 days including float festival for two days Aipasi (Oct- Nov ) : Pavithrothsavam: 5 days,Margazhi (Dec – Jan) : Thiru Adhyayana Uthsavam: 20 days,Thai Month Garuda Seva Festival – (Jan –Fe) Panguni (Mar-Apr) : Thayar Brahmothsavam: 10 days