Veeraraghavapuram Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Veeraraghavapuram Varadharaja Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu 627001

Phone: +91 – 462 – 233 5340

Moolavar

Varadharaja Perumal

Introduction

Varadharaja Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Veeraraghavapuram in Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. It is a matter of pride that there is a close connection between Sri Varadharaja Perumal temple, Thirunelveli and Sri Vana Mamalai Mutt, Nanguneri. The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. Even now, in this temple the first and the foremost honor and respect are given to H.H. Vana Mamalai Jeer Swamigal. The temple is just a kilometer from the old bus stand and the railway junction of Thirunelveli.

Puranic Significance

Lord came as a commander in support of King Paramarajan:

Few centuries back, a king by name Paramarajan was ruling over this part of Thirunelveli. He held this region as his capital. While bathing in the Padmanabha Theertha part of Tambiraparani (now called Kurukkuthurai), the king got a blue stone idol of Lord Vishnu. Naming the Lord Varadaraja Perumal, he built a temple installing the Lord. He was a staunch devotee of Varadharaja Perumal. He always used to pray Lord Varadharaja Perumal enthroned in his palace and chant the name of Lord Sri Rama. Observing the deep piety of this king, the neighboring king utilized the chance to attack him. Deeply plunged in the worship of the Lord, the king was not prepared militarily to face the invasion on his land. He prayed to the Lord to protect him, his subjects and his land. The Lord, responding to the prayers of the king, came to the battlefield in his form, fought the enemies and defeated and drove the enemies back. The Lord-Perumal who came as the commander of the king’s army is the presiding deity of the temple. Lord appeared before king Paramarajan as ‘Veeraraghavan’, the embodiment of bravery and valour. Deeply moved by the divine vision, the king sang a few slogans in praise of the Lord as stated in Thamirabarani Mahatmiyam. King Krishnavarma felt happy and constructed a temple for Lord Veeraraghavan to show his gratitude. He formed a city called Veeraraghavapuram around it and also called Veeraraghava Theertha Kattam in river Thamirabarani, which flows as uthiravahini (towards north) in this Kshetram. Hence this area holds the name Veeraraghavapuram.

Lord ever graceful to devotees:

A devotee of Lord Veeraraghava came to the temple after performing the Darpan for his ancestors in River Tambiraparani. He wanted to have the personal darshan of the Lord but the Lord did not come. The devotee began a fasting till he came to a fainting stage. Pleased with his determination, Lord appeared before him when the Uchikala Pooja (afternoon pooja) was on. The Lord is so graceful to his devotees. Lord Veeraraghava appears so handsomsely enticing the devotees.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for cordial conclusion of marriage proposals, child boon and progress in education. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam with Vastras to the Lord.

Special Features

This temple is an ancient and reputed Vishnu temple. It lies on the banks of the perennial river Thamirabarani. This area is also known as Veeraraghavapuram, which is the hoary name of this place. It has been named after Veeraraghavan, the main and presiding deity (Moolavar) in Sri Varadharaja Temple. Sri Varadharaja Perumal is the Utsava Moorthy. Sri Anjaneya graces in worshipping form standing before the presiding deity Lord Veera Raghava. There are shrines for Sudarsana, Yoga Narasimhar, Mahalakshmi, Bhoomadevi, Garuda, Lord Krishna, Adhiseshan, Vishwaksenar and Alwars in the corridor-prakara. Two separate shrines are situated for Sri Vedhavalli Thayar and Sri Perundevi Thayar. Vaikhanasa Agamam is being followed here. Five tiers Rajagopuram was successfully built and also big Mahamandapam with four giant saptaswara pillars was built by replacing the old 16 pillars mandapam. The samprokshanam took place on 29 May 2013 Wednesday.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunda Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are the festivals celebrated here.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/04/varadharaja-perumal-temple.html