Vallam Madhava
Perumal Temple, Thanjavur
Vallam
Madhava Perumal Temple, is located on the Thanjavur – Trichy
National Highway; about 10kms from Thanjavur is the historical almost 900 year
old Madhava Perumal and Yoga Narasimha temple in Vallam. It was built during 12th
Century AD by Vikrama Chozhan.
Etymology
Vallaba
Chozhan, who ruled this region, founded this village. Hence this place came to
be called Vallaba Puri. Over time, this became Vallam.
Legends
Indra is
said to have come here, bathed at the Vajra Theertham and was liberated from
the curse of Gowthama Rishi, who was undertaking penance here. Hence, the lord
here is also called ‘Devendran’.
History
Vikrama
Chozhan who ruled Thanjavur between 1118 and 1136 built the Madhava Perumal
koil. The temple was then called Vikrama Vinnagaram, a reference to this can be
found in the inscriptions inside the Gowri Amman and Siva temple (a historical
temple that is also said to have been built around the same time as the Madhava
Perumal temple) about 2 kms from here. Pandyas, Hoysalas, Nayaks and Maratha
kings contributed significantly to the upkeep and renovation of this temple.
The
temple was ignored for a major part of the last century and remained closed for
48years. With bushes surrounding this entire area, the temple had almost gone
into ruins and seemed to become a part of ‘history’ until it was revived a
decade ago. After renovation, the temple was reopened in 1996 and has since
regained a lot of its lost beauty. The temple is seeing an increasing number of
devotees, of late.
The
Temple
Both
Madhava Perumal and Yoga Narasimha are ‘Swayambu’ idols. Abhishekam takes place
only four times a year during Vishnupathi Punyakalam (2am) on the first day of
the Tamil Calendar months of Vaikasi, Aavani, Karthigai and Maasi. Madhava
Perumal can be seen in a sitting posture with a folded left leg and the right
leg on the ground.
The
temple currently does not have Utsava deities, which are said to be under the
protection of the Palace in Thanjavur. The temple authorities are hoping to
have it installed inside the temple in the coming months. Lord Narasimha
is believed to have killed Vallasuran and then given darshan to the devotees
here.
There
are Sannidhis for Raama, Azhvaars and Thaayar. A slim Anjaneya looks handsome
in a smallish idol. Andal, for whom a separate Sannidhi was rebuilt, also looks
beautiful.
The
temple is currently without a Gopuram. The one that existed previously is
believed to have been knocked under the Sultan Invasion.
Deity: Madhava Perumal (Devarajan) East Facing
Sitting Posture
Yoga Narasimha: South Facing
Goddess: Komalavalli
Temple Opening
Time
Temple
is open from 6am – 10am in the morning and 53.0pm – 8pm in the evening.
Festivals
Aadi
Pooram Andal Kalyanam and Puratasi Kalyana Utsavam are the festivals celebrated
with much fanfare.
Contact
Madhava
Perumal Temple
Vallam,
Thanjavur District
Mobile: 99437 32491
Phone: 04362 266553
Connectivity
There
are Buses available to reach this place every 5 minutes between Thanjavur and
Trichy. The temple is a 5 minute walk from the Vallam Bus Stand. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Thanjavur & Nearest Airport is located at
Trichy.
References
