| Description: This Divya
Desam is located at Tiruvallur, a railhead on the (suburban) railroad between Chennai and
Arakkonam. Nearby are the Tiruppaasoor
and the Tiruvaalankaadu
Shivastalams and Tirumazhisai, the birthplace of Tirumazhisai Alwar. Not too far
away is Sriperumpudoor the birthplace of Ramanuja. Tiruvallur and Tiruttani are on the
highway linking Chennai and Tirupati. Tirumangai
Alwar and Ramalinga Adigalaar have sung in praise of the deity at Tiruvallur. Tiruvallur
is also referred to by a paasuram of Tirumazhisai Alwar where he addresses seven
shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position - Tirukkudandai,
Tiruvegkaa, Tiruvallur,
Tiruvarangam, Tiruppernagar,
Anbil and Tirupparkadal.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Veeraraghava Perumaal in a reclining
posture facing east, and Taayaar here is Kanakavalli, enshrined in a separate sanctum.
Legend has it that Vishnu blessed Salihotra Munivar and revealed the
Vedas to Bhrama here. The name Tiruevvull comes from Perumaal's question (in Tamil) to
Salihotra Muni 'Uraidarkuria Ull Evvull'. Legend has it that Vishnu in the guise
of a human, requested the rishi for food and shelter, and posed the above question to the
Rishi. Upon being pointed to his hut, Vishnu spent the night there, covering himself with
the bark of trees. It was only the following morning that the rishi realized that his
guest was none other than Vishnu.
Legend also has it that Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhukaidapas, and protected
devotees here. The Vijayakoti vimaanam is named after this victory over demons.
Legend also has it that Shiva was relieved of the Bhrahmahatti dosham of killing Daksha upon visiting this shrine
(see also Tirukkandiyur). There is a shrine to
Shiva on the banks of the temple tank.
It is believed that bathing in the temple tank, and worshipping Veeraraghavaperumaal
with symbolic offerings of salt and pepper here, is a cure to many a physical ailment, and
hence the deity is also known as Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal. It is also believed that
barren couples beget progeny upon worshipping here.
The Temple: This temple is under the administration of the Ahobila
Mutt. It is an east facing temple with a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There are also shrines to
Ganesha, Gopalan, Nammalwar, Vedanta Desikar, Aandaal, Ramanujacharyar, Lakshmi Narasimha.
There are inscriptions dating back to the 2nd half of the 9th century Pallava period here.
Five worship services are carried out each day here. It is considered auspicious to
visit this temple on new moon days. Fridays are marked by a procession of the processional
image of Taayaar to the Vellikkizhamai mandapam. Two annual festivals are held here. |
