Thottiyam Veda Narayana Perumal Temple, Trichy

Address

Thirunarayanapuram,

Balasamudram via, Thottiyam taluk,

Trichy district, Tamilnadu – 621203

Phone: +91 9976611898/ 98948061631

Moolavar

Veda Narayana Perumal

Amman

Vedanayaki

Introduction

Veda Narayana Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Tirunarayanapuram Village near Thottiyam in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is ancient, and renovations were carried out in the 15th century, during the Nayakar period. It is also known as Aadi Rangam, because the Lord manifested here during the Vedic period.

Puranic Significance

Mahabali built this Temple: When the emperor Mahabali took his army towards Mysore for war, he took rest on the way on a sand dune. At that time, the Lord Perumal appeared in his dream and said that on that spot under the earth there was an idol of the Lord. The Lord instructed the king to unearth the idol and build a temple there. He also blessed the king and said that he would be victorious. After the king got up; he excavated the idol, installed it, built a temple and worshipped there. He established a village there and named it “Tirunarayanapuram”. He granted the lands and the village to the temple’s name and then went to Mysore for war and was very victorious.

Mahabali built this Temple: When the emperor Mahabali took his army towards Mysore for war, he took rest on the way on a sand dune. At that time, the Lord Perumal appeared in his dream and said that on that spot under the earth there was an idol of the Lord. The Lord instructed the king to unearth the idol and build a temple there. He also blessed the king and said that he would be victorious.After the king got up, he excavated the idol, installed it, built a temple and worshipped there. He established a village there and named it “Tirunarayanapuram”. He granted the lands and the village to the temple’s name and then went to Mysore for war and was very victorious.

Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram: Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar came here with his wife and 6 children in the hope of finding Moksham. One night, the leaves from the palm tree at the temple caught fire. Shocked at seeing this, Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar immediately threw his 6 children towards the Lord as a cover for him and to protect him from the raging flames. Unfortunately, the Lord continued to burn.Araiyar then threw himself into the flames and hugged the Lord so the fire would not touch his favourite Lord. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and granted Moksham to the entire family of the Araiyar. Hence, this place came to be called Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram.

People worshipped Lord Vishnu here: This temple which is praised as “Adhi Rangam” or “Mudhal Rangam” is the place where Brahma, Prahaladha, Sugreeva, Hanuman, Garuda, Araiyar, Cholas, etc. worshipped and got divine sanction.

Success in Education: Veda Narayana Perumal of Thiru Narayanapuram is said to help devotees in their education and learning. As Brahmma himself was initiated with Vedic Education, this is a special temple on the education front. Students/ children who visit this temple offering their sincere prayers and place their books at the feet of Veda Narayanan are believed to come out with flying colours in their education.

Special Features

This temple is located on the northern banks of the River Cauvery. This is a very ancient temple with additions constructed during the Nayakar period in the 15th century. This temple has two prakaram and two main shrines for Perumal and Thayar. Presiding Deity is Vedanarayana Perumal and is facing east. A most distinct and unique feature at the Veda Narayanan temple is that Lord Vishnu is seen in a sleeping posture resting on and using the Four Vedas as his pillow

Lord Narayanan is said to have initiated Vedic Education to Brahmma and hence is referred to here as ‘Veda’ Narayanan. Lord Vishnu also promised a place for Prahalad near his feet – another unique feature seen at this temple is a 3-year-old boy Prahaladha in a standing posture at the feet of the sleeping Lord. Goddess Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are seen at the feet of Lord Veda Narayanan offering their prayers.

Adisesha the snake with his wife is bearing the Lord. Adisesha with ten heads above the Lord and his wife at his feet grace darshan to the devotees. The Lord reclines on a 10-headed Adhiseshan as his bed. Five of these heads belong to Adisesha, while the names of the rest are Vasuki, Dakshaka, Kuliga, Karkotaka and Kalinga. This is a very rare form in Perumal temples.The Vimana – roof tower above the Lord is known as Veda Vimana.

Mother is called as Vedanayaki Thaayar and housed in a separate Shrine. She appears with four arms, the lower ones in Abhaya and Vardana positions. There is a light post in front of the temple graced by Sri Anjaneya. He is called Kambatthadi Anjaneya – Anjaneya under the post. People of the place gather here to solve disputes among them through dialogue. Anybody speaking lies or cheat others are demanded to prove their innocence by swearing before Anjaneya. The tradition continues even today.

There is also a separate shrine for Goddess Saraswathi. The Utsava idol is Lord Ranganatha, who is in Abhayahastha pose.The Ranganathar Paadhams (feet of Lord Ranganatha) are housed separately.There are shrines for Andal, Ramanuja Acharya, Nammalwar,Tirumangai Alwar, Pillai Lokacharyar, and Manavala Mamunigal in the prakara-corridor.There is a shrine for Pillai Tirunaraiyur Arayar in the prakara.Those ambitious of liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and protection from any catastrophe pray to Arayar.

Theerthams associated with this temple are Vedha Pushkarini and River Cauvery. Sthala Vriksham is Vilva Tree. The blessed feet of the Perumal are under the Vilva tree which is revered by Lord Shiva. Nearby, the Andal Nachiyar blesses the devotees in a separate Sannidhi.

Belief

Those who have adverse marital aspects called Kalathra Dosha, worship Lord here along with Adisesha and his wife for remedy.As this is the sacred place where Lord Vishnu taught Lord Brahmma, devotees pray here for achieving excellence in their academic pursuit. Special pujas are performed on Tiruvonam star day and Ekadasi and new moon days.Those with weak Jupiter in their horoscopes causing delay in marriage, offer Tulsi garlands to Lord and light 27 ghee lamps in his shrine. This worship is done on Thursdays or on the birth star day of the person.

Festivals

11-day festival in Vaikasi including a 9-day chariot procession, 21-day Adyana Utsavam in Margazhi, Puratasi Navarathri, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January and Hanuman Jayanthi are the festivals celebrated in the temple. On the Panguni Uthiram day in March-April, Lord Vedanarayana Perumal visits the shrine of Mother-Goddess Vedavalli Thayar and graces a joint darshan to devotees..,