Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple, Therazhundur,
Nagapattinam
Devaadi Raja Perumal, or Thiruvazhunthoor, is
a Hindu temple situated in Thiruvazhunthoor (Therazhundur), a village in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu. It lies in between Mayavaram junction and Kuttalam railway station on the main railway line between Chennai (Madras) and Tanjore. It is one of the "Divya
Desams", the 108 temples
of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.
Devaadi Raja Perumal temple is also called by the
names Azhundoor, Azhundhai, Therazhundhoor. Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal temple is glorified in
Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a Vaishnava canon, and Mangalasasanam (devotional
songs) were sung by the 12 azhwar saints.
The great Tamil poet Kambar, who wrote Kambaramayanam,
the Tamil version of Ramayana, one of the great works of Indian literature, was
believed to be born at this place. This
temple can also be reached by travelling around 7 Kms from Kuttalam and about 8
Kms from Mayavaram.
Legends
Story of
Uparisaravasu:
Uparisaravasu was the king of Sethi Kingdom and was the
student of Devaguru Bhragaspathi. He got a chariot which floated in the sky
from Lord Indra. Once he settled a dispute between the Rishi’s and Devas and favours
it in the Deva's side. The Rishi’s got angry and cursed the king that his
chariot would not fly in the sky. So as an effect to the curse, his chariot got
stuck in this place and the king fell in front of the lord. Henceforth this
place is called as Therazhundhoor (Ther means Chariot).
Lord Narayana sent Garudan and helped him to fly back.
As Lord helped the person loved by Deva’s who was a human he was called
Devaadirajan from then on.
Story of
Aamaruviappan:
Cow and calf belong to the Deva group, buffalo’s belong
to Asura group and sheep's belong to Mankind. Lord Krishna thus saves all the
living things. As Jeevathma becomes a tamed cow before Lord Krishna and he too
behaves as a tamed cow in front of a pure heart, he is called as Aamaruviappan
(ie) Aaa means cow (person who is as soft as a cow). Thus the Lord Aamaruviappan
is said to inherit the qualities of Lord Krishna (ie) (he contains Lord Krishna’s
Amsam).
As an act of Unison, Lord Krishna (i.e) Lord
Aamaruviappan is dressed up as Lord Rama and brought in Ceremony near the
Vedapuriswarar temple (Lord Shiva's temple).
Story of
Temple Vimanam:
Once, Lord Garudan was given a Vimanam and a Vairamudi
by Devendra. He asked Garudan to distribute both to a Divyadesam which is very
suitable. Lord Garudan gave Vairamudi to Thirunarayanapuram, Melkote near
Mysore and the Vimanam at Therazhundur temple. Hence the Vimanam got the name
of Garuda Vimanam. Lord Garudan stands with the Perumal in the Garbagraham
which is a very rare occasion.
Story of
Sage Agasthya:
Sage Agasthya wanted to wed Cauvery. When she refused,
the sage locked her here. Cauvery escaped from this place only to be cursed by
the Sage that the place where Cauvery goes be in trouble. Cauvery undertook
penance here at Therazhundur to get liberated from the curse of Sage Agasthiya.
The Temple
The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Sri Devaadi
Rajan, found in a standing posture, facing towards the east direction. The
presiding deity stands at a height of 10 feet, gives Dharshan along with
Garuda, the bull mount of Lord Vishnu, in his left and Prahalada, the devotee
of Lord Vishnu, and sage Markandeya Maharishi found to his right.
The deity holds Gadhayudham, the weapon of Lord Vishnu,
in his left hand and river goddess Cauvery is found kneeling at his lotus feet.
The various mounts used for the deity at this temple are Adisesha, Surya
Prabhai, Indra Vimanam, horse and elephant. The Goddess of this temple is
Sengamalavalli Thayaar. And the mounts used for the goddess are Surya Prabhai,
Yali, Swan, elephant and lion.
The festival deity of this temple is Aamaruviappan (Lord
Vishnu), and the other deities of this temple are Goddess Andal, azhwar saints,
Lord Vasudeva, Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmanan, Lord
Hanuman, Sri Vishwaksenar, the chief of Lord Vishnu’s army. The Vimanam (tower
above the sanctum sanctorum) of the temple is called as Garuda Vimanam.
The name of the vimanam has a story that the Garuda, the
bull mount of Lord Vishnu, was presented a vimanam and a Vairamudi (crown) by Devendra
(Lord Indra). And Devendra asked Garuda to place it in a suitable Divya Desam. Garuda
placed Vairamudi to Thirunarayanapuram and the Vimanam to Therazhundur temple.
Since then the Vimanam is called as Garuda Vimanam. The Pushkarani (temple
tank) of Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal temple is called as Darshana Pushkarani. There’s
a beautiful unjal Mandapam (Unjal – Joola – Swing) in this temple.
The great Tamil Poet Kamban, who wrote Kamba Ramayanam,
was born here only at Therazhundhoor. Inside the Rajagopuram, poet Kamban and
his wives images are beautifully carved. The place where Kamban resided, on the
Sannidhi Street, has now been turned into a beautiful new ‘Kamban Mandapam’. It
is believed that this was the place where Sage Markandeya performed penance
here to get Moksham.
Manavala Maamunigal has done Mangalasasanam to this
temple. Moolavar has golden Kiridam, Sahasranama necklace, Dasavathara Udhara
Malai, Golden anklet, goddess Alarmel Mangai in his heart diamond Thiruman
(sacred symbol of Vaishnavites). There are separate Sannadhis for Sri Vasudeva
Sannadhi and Sri Narasimhar. There is also a Sannadhi for Lord Sri Ramar. In
this Sannadhi, Sri Ramar (both Moolavar and Utsavar) are found in Nindra Thirukkolam
facing east direction. Beside Lord Sri Ramar, Seetha Piratti, Lakshmanan and
Hanumar are also giving Dharshan. Sri Vishwaksenar Sannadhi is separate in
front of Sri Vasudeva Sannadhi. Sri Vishwaksenar is otherwise called as “Senai
Mudaliar” (the chief of the army of the Perumal).
Sri Alwars Sannadhi is on the Outer Praharam in front of
Thaayar Sannadhi. Sri Andal Sannadhi is in the Outer Praharam where both
Moolavar and Utsava Vigraham (Idol) are found. Thiruvadi Pooram and Margazhi –
Koodara Valli are the special occasions for Sri Andal. Sri Hanuman Sannadhi is
located Opposite to the Kodi maram. Lord Hanuman gives Dharshan in Nindra kolam
facing his Thirumugham on the north direction. Prahalada who had seen an
aggressive and angry Lord Vishnu killing Hiranyakashipu in his Narasimha Avatar
undertook penance here wanting to see a softer, quieter version of the Lord.
Legend has it that the Lord gave darshan to Prahalada here in his not so ‘angry
form’.
Utsavar Aamaruviappan stands with a very beautiful calf
along with his two wives. Normally Lord Krishna Gives Dharshan only with two
hands but in Thiruvazhunthoor – Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple, he poses with
four hands with Rukmini and Satyabama on his sides and cow and a calf nearby
only in this temple.
Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Devaadi Rajan. He is
giving his Seva in Nindra (Standing) Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards
east direction. Prathyaksham has been given for Dharma Dhevadhai,
Uparisaravasu, River Cauvery, Garudan and Agasthiyar.
Moolavar Devaadirajan is of 10 feet tall having Lord
Garuda to his left and Prahalada along with Markandeya Maharishi to his right.
He has Gadhayudham (his weapon) in his left hand. River Cauvery too is there
kneeling at his lotus feet. Utsavar Aamaruviappan stands with a very beautiful
calf along with his two wives.
Thayaar:
The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Sengamalavalli
Thaayar.
Utsavar:
The Utsavar found in this sthalam is Aamaruviappan.
Sannadhis:
Perumal
Sannadhi:
In this Sannadhi only, the Perumal of the sthalam, Sri
Devaadi Rajan is found giving his Seva to his bhaktas.
Thaayar
Sannadhi:
In this Sannadhi, the Thaayar, Sri Sengamalavalli is
found giving her Seva to his bhaktas. On every Fridays, the Thaayar is giving
her Seva as "Vaibava Lakshmi".
Sri Vasudeva
Sannadhi:
This Sannadhi is found on the left side of the Moolavar
Sannadhi. In this Sannadhi, Sri Vasudeva is found.
Sri
Narasimhar Sannadhi:
This Sannadhi is found in between Perumal Sannadhi and
Sri Vasudeva Sannadhi. In this Sannadhi, Sri Narasimhar is giving his Seva for
his bhaktas who destroys the evil things and helps his bhaktas to get rid of
them.
Sri
Ramar Sannadhi:
This Sannadhi is found on the south direction of the
Perumal Sannadhi. In this Sannadhi, Sri Ramar (both Moolavar and Utsavar) are
found in Nindra kolam facing east direction. Beside him, Seetha Piratti,
Lakshmanan and Hanumar are also found.
Sri
Vishwaksenar Sannadhi:
Sri Vishwaksenar is otherwise called as "Senai
Mudaliar" (the chief of the army of the Perumal). He is found in this Sannadhi
which is found in front of Sri Vasudeva Sannadhi.
Sri
Desikar Sannadhi:
Next to Sri Vishwaksenar Sannadhi, this Sannadhi is
found.
Sri
Alwars Sannadhi:
All the Alwars are found on the Outer Praharam in front
of Thaayar Sannadhi.
Sri
Andal Sannadhi:
Sri Andal Sannadhi is found on the Outer Praharam where
both Moolavar and Utsava Vigraham (Idol) are found. Thiruvadi Pooram and
Margazhi - Koodara Valli are the special occasions for Sri Andal.
Sri
Kambar Sannadhi:
As soon as we enter the temple, Sri Kambar Sannadhi is
found on the left side where Kambar and his wife are worshipping the Perumal is
standing position.
Sri
Hanuman Sannadhi:
Opposite to the Kodi maram, Hanuman is found in Nindra
kolam facing his Thirumugham on the north direction.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangaialwar - 45 Paasurams
Pushkarani:
·
Dharsana Pushkarani.
·
River Cauvery.
Vimanam:
Garuda Vimaanam.
Temple Opening Timing
The temple remains open from 7.30 AM to 12.00 noon in
the morning and in the evening from 5.00 PM to 8.30 PM.
Festivals
Listed below are some of the Utsavams (Festivals) done
in this Sthalam;
·
Sri Ramar Utsavam –
April/May
·
Brahma Utsavam – May/June
·
Sri Andal Utsavam –
July/August
·
Sri Jayanthi Utsavam –
August/September
·
Deepa Utsavam –
November/December
·
Pagal Pathu Utsavam –
December/January
·
Thai Month Garuda Seva
Festival – January/February
·
Magam Utsavam –
February/March
Contact
Sri Devaadirajan Temple,
Sannidhi Street,
Therazhundur – 609 808,
Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu
Phone: 04364 237 952,
99440 39572, 97917 69942
Connectivity
By Air:
The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International
Airport.
By Train:
Thanjavur railway junction has three rail heads leading
to Tiruchirapalli, Kumbakonam and Thiruvarur. Thanjavur is connected by rail
with most important cities and towns in India.
By Road:
Thanjavur has a well-maintained sub-urban public
transport system. Government and private buses operate frequently to major
cities and towns.
From Mayavaram, take bus to Kumbakonam, get down at
Komal Road stop (9 kms from Mayavaram). Take another bus to Ther Azhundoor (2
kms from there).
Bus Nos: 10A, 10B, 10C ply directly from Mayavaram to Ther Azhundoor. There is also a direct bus No. 33 from Kumbakonam.
Bus Nos: 10A, 10B, 10C ply directly from Mayavaram to Ther Azhundoor. There is also a direct bus No. 33 from Kumbakonam.
