Veeravanallur Sundararaja Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Veeravanallur Sundararaja Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Veeravanallur, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627426

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

Moolavar

Sundararaja Perumal

Amman

Sridevi and Bhoo Devi.

Introduction

Location:

• The Sundararaja Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Veeravanallur, a village in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
• The village is situated about 6 km west of Cheranmahadevi. The nearest railway stations are Ambasamudram and Veeravanallur, and the closest airports are in Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Puranic Significance:

• The temple is more than 1500 years old and is associated with several legends.

Veera Pandiya Kattabomman:

• The famous warrior Kattabomman, who fought against the British, is believed to have visited this temple with his soldiers to seek the blessings of Lord Sundararajan before every battle. This practice led to the village being named Veeravanallur, meaning “the village of valor.”

Sage Kaashyapa’s Penance:

• According to the legend, Sage Kaashyapa performed penance in Thirumaliruncholai seeking the grace of Lord Kalazhagar. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Narayana appeared before the sage adorned with diamonds and precious stones. The sage requested the Lord to stay in Veeravanallur to protect the people, and Lord Sundararaja granted his wish, accompanied by his consorts Sundaravalli and Sundaranayagi.

The Valour of the Rabbit:

• In another legend, when King Veeramara Pandiyan went hunting, he witnessed a small rabbit courageously fighting a hunting dog. Impressed by the bravery of the rabbit, the king became a devout follower of Lord Sundararajan, and the village was subsequently named Veeravanallur in honor of his valor.

Other Names:

• The village is also referred to as Veerayumpathi, Veera Vala Nallur, Thava Vanam, and Kashyapa Shetram (due to Sage Kaashyapa’s penance).

Special Features:

• The Presiding Deity of the temple is Lord Sundararaja Perumal, seen in a grand standing posture along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoo Devi.
• The village also has an Agraharam (a settlement of Brahmin families), adding to the cultural charm.
• The temple has a separate shrine for Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, as well as shrines for Alwars, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Vedanta Desikar, and Sri Senai Mudali.
• A beautiful pond with a magnificent Mandapam in the center enhances the temple’s beauty. The pond receives water from the Manimuthar Dam via a canal connected to the Tamirabarani River.
• The Maha Mandapa, Artha Mandapa, and Mani Mandapa are significant structures within the temple. The temple also has a separate shrine dedicated to Vedanta Desikar, whose Avathara Utsavam was celebrated for ten days in a grand manner.

Festivals:

• The temple celebrates several important festivals, many of which were observed with grandeur in the past:
  • Poosam Festival: A 10-day festival in the month of Thai (January), with a Chariot Festival on the 9th day.
  • Sri Jayanthi Festival: A 10-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.
  • Pavitrotsavam: A 7-day festival for purification and sanctification.
  • Oonjal Utsavam: Held during Aippasi (October-November).
  • 21-day Festival in Margazhi: Including the recital of Divya Prabhandham.
• The Brahmotsavam is celebrated annually, with Lord Sundararaja going on street processions on various vahanas (vehicles), including Garuda Vahana and Hanumantha Vahana, offering darshan to the devotees.
• The temple is a hub of devotional activity throughout the year, with various other celebrations and rituals.

References

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

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Veeravanallur

Nearest Railway Station

Ambasamudram & Veeravanallur

Nearest Airport

Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Location on Map

lightuptemple