Vada Madurai Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, Vada Madurai, Othukottai Taluk, Thiruvallur District – 601 102 Mobile: +91 97887 81862

Diety

Aadhi Kesava Perumal Amman: Sri devi & Bhudevi

Introduction

Aadhi Kesava Perumal Temple is a Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Vada Madurai Village near Periyapalayam in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is believed to be built by Rajendra Chola. This temple has inscriptions dating back to the period of the Great Chozha KingRajendra I and Rajendra Chozha II as well as several sculptures relating to the Ramayana and Narasimha Avathars. Presiding Deity is called as Adi Kesava Perumal and is facing east. Lord is in Standing Posture with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Lord upper hands hold chakra and sankam and lower ones are in Abhayahastha and Varadahasta. Besides there is the idol of Krishna in the main shrine, either side of which are the Dwarapalakas.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by King Rajendra Chozhan in commemoration of his victory over the kingdom of Kosala, near Punjab, Delhi. Kosala Desa belonged to Lord Rama. It is believed that the Chozha King installed Vadivazhagiya Rama as the presiding deity of this temple constructed during his regime. The beauty of the Rama idol is discernible even though rulers after Rajendra Chozhan did not pay much attention to the image developing the temple as the abode of Adhikesava Perumal. The renovation of the temple was done in 2001. The entrance does not have the typical temple tower and it is unfinished and called as Mottai Gopuram. The 3 Tier Garuda Sannidhi found at the Vada Madurai is a special feature. The Vimanam above the shrine is attractive with colourful images of Dasavatharam. Utsavar is ancient Idol of Rama alongside Baratha. This Utsava Idol is placed for worship in the sannidhi mandapam. The song “Antharama Sowndaryam” composed by Arunachala Kavi in Tamil perfectly suits the idol. While the image of Bharatha seems to be as old as that of Sri Rama the idols of Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya could have been later additions. Vishwaksenar and Lord Srinivasa have also shrines next to Rama. Shrine of Bhakta Anjaneyar can be seen near the entrance makes it apparent that the temple was dedicated to Sri Rama. Mother is called as Adi Lakshmi Thaayar and she is housed in a separate shrine. She is in sitting posture. The Thayar Shrine mandapam has images of the lion on the roof signifying the temple’s association with the Pallava Kings. The Utsava Thayar is known as Vedavalli There is a Pallava connection to this temple. There are 5 Rajasimha Stone Sculptures at the entrance. welcoming the devotees. There are many artistic sculptures in the Temple. Most interesting ones are the fight between Rama/Lakshmana and Lava-Kucha, Rama and the 10 headed Ravana depicting the very end of the battle in Lanka. The entire story of Ramayana is depicted in beautiful little artistic sculptures inside the Mandapam. Inscriptions indicate that Rajendra I (Gangai Konda Chozhan) donated 50 acres of land for betel leaves & nuts cultivation to be dedicated to Lord Rama as a wedding gift to the Lord. Agastheeswarar Temple is located just opposite the Perumal Temple

Festivals

Rama Navami, Kalyana Utsavam, Sri Jayanthi, Vaikunda Ekadesi, Puratasi Saturday and Karthigai Deepam are the festivals celebrated here with pomp and glory.