Veeravanallur Sundararaja Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Veeravanallur, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627426

Mobile: +91 94601 79551 / 97892 70435 / 98848 30141.

Moolavar

Sundararaja Perumal

Amman

Sridevi and Bhoo Devi.

Introduction

Sundararaja Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Veeravanallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Sundararaja Perumal. Veeravanallur is located at about 6 Kms west of Cheranmahadevi. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ambasamudram & Veeravanallur and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Puranic Significance

Also it is learnt that the famous Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, who bravely fought against the British, used to visit this temple along with his army of soldiers, seek the blessings of Lord Sundarajan and take an oath of valour before every war. Because of his practice, the village came to be known as Veera Magan Nallur and Veeram Niraintha Nallur, which later became Veeravanallur. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old

Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Sage Kaashyapa:

As per the legend Sage Kaashyapa, was on penance invoking Lord Kalazhagar of Thirumaliruncholai, for many decades. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Narayana, gave him darshan in full splendor decorated with ornaments studded with diamonds and precious stones. Stunned by the magnificent grace beauty of Lord Narayana, Sage Kaashyapa humbly requested the Lord to permanently stay in Veeravanallur with his consorts and protect the people. Lord accepted his request and has been gracing his devotees as Lord Sundararaja along with his consorts Sundaravalli and Sundaranayagi. True to his name the Lord at Veeravanallur is beauty personified.

Valour of Rabbit taking on Hunting Dog:

Once when the Pandiya King Veeramara Pandiyan, went on hunting he was taken aback by the sight of a small Rabbit taking on the ferocious Hunting Dog. Realizing the valour associated with the soil of the land, the King became the ardent devotee of the Lord Sundarajan. Subsequently the village was named after the King and hence the name Veeravanallur. Subsequently, many Pandya Kings paid their obeisance to the Lord and built the temple.

Different Names:

The old Tamil literature refers this village as Veerayumpathi, Veera Vala Nallur and Thava Vanam. Also it is called Kashyapa Shetram because of the penance of sage Kashyapa.

Special Features

Lord is seen in a grand standing posture along with Sridevi and Bhoo Devi. The presence of an agraharam is a pleasant sight in the village. The temple has a separate sannidhi for Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, all the Alwars, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Vedaantha Desikar and Sri Senai Mudali. A beautiful pond with the magnificent mandapam in the centre adds beauty to the temple. The pond used to get copious water from the Manimuthar dam built across the river Tamirabarani through a canal. The Perumal temple came much later after the construction of the Shiva Temple. The temple has a Maha Mandapa, Artha Mandapa and Mani Mandapa. There is a separate Sannidhi for Vedanta Desikar, whose Avathara Utsavam used to be celebrated in a grand manner over 10 days.

Festivals

Till the first half of the last century, a 10 day Poosam Festival was celebrated in Thai (January) with the Chariot Festival on the 9th day. There was also a 10 day Sri Jayanthi festival, a 7 day Pavitrotsavam and an Oonjal Utsavam in Aippasi (October –November). The 21 day festival in Margazhi (December – January) was also a popular festival at this temple including the recital of Divya Prabhandham. The presence of all the vahanas including Garuda Vahana and Hanumantha Vahana also indicate to the conduct of the annual Brahmotsavam with the Lord going out on street processions providing darshan to the devotees on different vahanas. And the place had been abuzz with devotional activity through the year.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/sundararaja-perumal-temple.html