Veyil Ugandha Vinayaka Temple, Uppur, Ramanathapuram
Veyil
Ugandha Vinayaka Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vinayaga located at Uppur in
Ramanathapuram District of Tamilnadu. This Place is also called as Uppur
Chathiram village. It is also called
as Lavanapuram. "Lavanam" in Sanskrit means Salt. It
is located at a distance of 85 kms from Rameswaram. It is believed that Lord
Ram worshipped Vinayagar (Elephant God) in this very temple on his journey
to Sri Lanka.
The rays
of Sun fall on the Lord on the southern side during Dakshinayana and on the
northern side on Utharayana periods. Uppur Vinayaka temple is 15 km from
Thondi in Thiruvadanai Taluk in Ramanathapuram district on Sethu Beach road.
Legends
Surya punished by Shiva for attending Daksha Yaagam:
Many
reasons are attributed to the raising of this temple. On story goes that king
Daksha expected Lord Shiva who married his daughter Dhakshayani to obey him.
With a view to humiliate the Lord, Daksha organized a great Yagna and invited
all those of the celestial world and rishis except Lord Shiva. Exasperated by
the brute behaviour of her father Daksha intentionally aiming to insult her
Lord, She came to the place of Yagna. Daksha insulted her also. Shiva sent Veerabadra
to destroy Daksha’s yagna.
Sun was
one among the participants in the Yagna and was punished. Sun came to earth to
seek remedy for his folly. He came to Vannimandhara vanam on the Devipuram,
Kalipuram, Thiruppunavayil and other places on the eastern coast and performed
penance on Lord Vinayaka. Pleased with Sun’s penance, Lord Vinayaka graced him
from the sins he accrued. Sun prayed to Lord Vinayaka to grant the same grace
to all people. Lord Vinayaka also granted Sun the boon that his rays would fall
on him when he worships. As Lord Vinayaka accepted Sun’s rays on him (sun rays
– Veyil in Tamil) He is named Veyil Ugandha Vinayaka.
Different Names of this Place:
Sun
performed penance here, attained siddis (powers) and was relieved of some adverse
aspects on him. Hence, the place is also known as Suryapuri, Thavasiddhipuri
(attaining powers through penance) & Pavavimochanapuram (place where sins
disappeared). As there were Vanni and Mandhara trees in plenty, the place is
also known as Vanni Mandhara Puram.
Rama worshipping Vinayaga of this place:
When Rama
came to know about the place of captivity of Sita through Anjaneya, He set out
from Prachravana hills with his monkey army to Vanni forests through the
eastern coast. He worshipped Veyil Ugandha Vinayaka in a serene environment and
sought his blessings for victory in his efforts and proceeded towards
Sethukarai.
Vinayaka appearing in the dream of a priest:
Though
stories differ, it is believed that the temple was built by King Bhaskara
Sethupathi in the year 1905. The story also goes that Lord Vinayaka appeared in
the dream of a priest asked him to build a temple without roof on the Sanctum
Sanctorum so that he can enjoy sunlight forever. Because of this design,
Sunrays fall on the deity on the southern side during the Dakshinayana period
and on the northern side during the Utharayana period.
The
Temple
The
temple is built by Sethupathy kings after the period of the Pandya kings and
enjoys a historical importance. The rays of Sun fall on the southern side of
Vinayaka during Dakshinayana period covering the six months July-August to
December-January and on the northern side during the Utharayana period covering
the six months from January-February- to June-July.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vinayaka
Chathurthi is grandly celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
pray to Lord Vinayaka for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, for child
boon and for excellence in education. People perform abishek and offer
vastras-clothes to the Lord.
Connectivity
Uppur
Vinayaka temple is 15 km from Thondi in Thiruvadanai Taluk in Ramanathapuram District
on Sethu Beach road on the National Highways. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Ramanathapuram and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
References
