Valvil Rama Temple, Thirupullabhoothangudi, Thanjavur
Valvil Rama Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Pullabhoothangudi, Tamilnadu, India. It is one of the "Divya
Desams", the 108 temples of
Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. The Lord of this sacred place has been worshipped
by Rama, Jadayu and others. The Lord here is in ‘Bhujanga Sayanam’ facing
east under the ‘Shobana Vimanam’ and bestows his blessings.
Located just under 10kms West of Kumbakonam and 3kms off
Swami Malai on the Thiruvaikavoor road between Cauvery and Coleroon rivers is
the Valvil Rama temple in Pullam Bhoothangudi, a Divya Desam whose legendary
tale dates back to Ramayana and described above by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his
Periya Tirumozhi verse. This is the only Divya Desam where Rama is seen with
conch and chakra in a Bhujanga Sayanam Posture.
Legends
Meeting
with Parasuramar:
Sriman Narayanan showed Prathyaksham for himself. Chakravarthy
Thirumagan, Sri Ramar born as and brought up as an ordinary human being, he met
his moola avathaar (Previous avathaar) Parasuramar. He minimized or reduced the
Head weight of Parasuramar and made war with him and finally got his friendship
and his blessings.
The primary moral of this is if how big and powerful man
you may be, we must give respect and should not be trapped inside Maya.
Rama’s
presence at Pullam Bhoothangudi:
The story goes that Rama, in search of Sita, arrives in
Pullabhoothangudi to the cries of the Eagle King Jadayu, who was in his last
breath.
The Eagle King, an old friend of King Dasaratha (father
of Rama) had fought a valiant battle trying to rescue Sita from Ravana, before
the Lankan king finally cut off both the wings of the fighting bird. Lying in
pain and unable to fly any further, the bird breathed its last uttering the
words “ Rama Rama” and informing him that Sita had been taken away by Ravana.
Pithru
Saabha Nivarthi:
To all of the human beings in the world, our parents are
the prime most and the first person to be worshipped. Since, he was held in the
forest, when King Dasaratha was dead, he could not do the final funeral to his
father. But, keeping Jadayu in his father's place, he did the final funeral to
him as what he could have done to his father, King Dasaratha.
The final funeral of Jadayu was done under Punnai tree. When
Ravana abducted Seetha and carried her, the King of the eagles Jadayu
fought with him. Ravana smashed him with his sword and Jadayu lay
half-dead moaning ‘Rama, Rama’. Hearing this feeble moaning, Rama and Lakshmana
who were crossing that area went near and saw the dying bird. Jadayu
breathed his last after informing them about Ravana’s abduction of
Seetha. The sorrow-stricken Rama wanted to perform the funeral rites
to Jadayu. The rule is, when such rites are performed, the wife
should be present. Since Seetha was not there, Rama wholeheartedly
thought of her. At once, Bhooma Devi, Seetha’s image appeared to
help Rama. Rama with her help conducted the funeral rites for
Jadayu. Reminiscent of this incident, this temple was erected.
Legend has it that Rama, who had not been able to
perform the last rites for his father as he was away in the forest, derived
some consolation by performing Jatayu's obsequies and giving moksham to the
Bird. In the Ramayana, this episode is referred to as the death of the second
father. It is believed that those who failed to perform last rites for their
father (parents) will get liberation from their ‘parental curse’ (Pithru
Saabham Nivarthi) if they visit this temple.
While performing the last rites, Raama felt the absence
of Sita. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi came out of the Golden Lotus
temple tank to stand by his side while he performed the last rites for the
bird. Hence, Thaayar at this temple is called Potraamaraiyaal.
Etymology
of this place:
Since, the Lord does the final ceremony for Jadayu, the
Eagle belongs to the pull family (One king of bird family) and after finishing
the ceremony, he takes rest. So this Shetram is called as "Pullam
Kudi". Kudi means the place of staying in Tamil.
Prathyaksham
for Kiruthra Rajan & Sri Rama:
Likewise, after finishing all the final funeral for
Jadayu, when Rama was taking rest, Kiruthrajan, when doing tapas keeping
Emberuman in his heart and mind, Valvil Raman arised in front of him in
Bhujanga Sayanam. Since, the Theertham which purified Kiruthrarajan, the
theertham here is called "Kiruthra theertham".
Sri Rama along with Sangu and Chakkaram and Bhoomi
Pirattiyaar Prathyaksham for the king and explained him that he is Sriman
Narayanan. Likewise, he gave Prathyaksham for Sri Ramar along with Sangu,
Chakkaram and Bhoomi Pirattiyaar with 4 (Chathur) bhujam (hand).
Thiru Mangai
Azhvaar misses Rama's presence:
Thirumangai, who passed this way, found a person
relaxing in a sleeping posture under the tree, and walked away mistaking him
for a Kshatriya. On turning back, he found Raama in his ‘Full Divine Form’-
with Conch- Disc and four hands.
Thirumangai refers to this episode in his Periya Thiru
Mozhi Pasuram on Pullam Bhoothangudi:
அறிவதறியான் அணைத்து உலகும் உடையான்
என்னை யாழ் உடையான்
குரிய மானி யாருவாய,
கூத்தன் மன்னி யமிருமிடம்
நறிய மலர்மேல் சுரும் பார்க்க
எழிலார் மஞ் னஞ நடமாட
பொறிகொள் சிறை வண்டிசை பாடும்
புள்ளம் பூதங்குடி தானே.
என்னை யாழ் உடையான்
குரிய மானி யாருவாய,
கூத்தன் மன்னி யமிருமிடம்
நறிய மலர்மேல் சுரும் பார்க்க
எழிலார் மஞ் னஞ நடமாட
பொறிகொள் சிறை வண்டிசை பாடும்
புள்ளம் பூதங்குடி தானே.
This is the only temple where Raama is in a reclining posture with all his ornaments and 4 hands. Sita is not seen with the Moolavar deity as this temple relates to the time when Raama is separated from her.
Temple Speciality
Generally, Sri Rama graces us in the standing posture.
But, in this holy place, He appears in the lying posture.
The Temple
The temple has a small shrine with Vimanam and 3-tier Rajagopuram. It is located in
Pullabhoothangudi, a small village, 8 km away from Kumbakonam and 1 km
from Thiru Aadanoor Temple. The temple tank is located north of the temple. The
gleaming kalasams, Dhwajasthambham and Balipeetham of the Pullabhoothangudi
temple welcome the devotee. There is one Brindavan which belong to Ahobilam
mutt here for 19th Jeeyar, Sri Maha Desikan.
After 1 1/2 Km. from here, is a small village,
Mandanggudi which is the birth place of Thondar Adi Podi Alwar. One of the five
sacred things, Earth, Bhoomi Pirattiyaar gives Seva along with Sri Rama as
Narayanan in Nindra Thirukkolam. Because of this reason this Shetram is called
"Pullam Bootha Kudi".
Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Valvil Raman.
Moolavar is in Kidantha kolam, in Bujanga Sayanam facing East direction. Lord
gave Prathyaksham for Chakravarthy Thirumagan Ramar and Raja Kiruthra. Utsava
Moorthy gives Seva Valvil Raman has four hands (Chathur Bhujam) along with
Sangu and Chakram.
Thayaar:
Potraamaraiyaal (Hemambujavalli). She has her own separate
Sannadhi.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangai Alwar - 10 Paasurams.
Vimanam:
Shobana Vimaanam.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and in
the evening from 4.30 to 7.30.
Prayers
This holy place is dedicated to the Buda (Mercury)
planet and so prayers to absolve evils, especially for the departed souls are
considered good in this place. Those who meet with hurdles for their
wedding also pray here. The traditional belief is that those who desire
promotion in their jobs, if they perform Thirumanjanam and worship the Yoga Narasimhar
and Udhyoga Narasimhar in the prakaram are sure to get their prayers fulfilled.
Many devotees are believed to have got employment after visiting Yoga Narasimha
Sannidhi at this temple, so much so that the devotees have named it the Udhyoga
Narasimha.
Parikara
Sthalam – Budhan:
This is a Parikara Sthalam dedicated to Budhan (Mercury)
Contact
Pullam Bhoothangudi Divya
Desam is administered by Ahobila Mutt.
Arulmigu Valvil Raman Thirukovil,
Thirupullabhoothangudi – 612301
Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu
Priest: Shri Gopal Bhattar
Mobile: +91-94435 25365
Connectivity
Tiruppullampudangudi is about 5 kms in the route from
Swamimalai to Tiruvaikavur village. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Kumbakonam. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
The temple is close to Swamimalai near Kumbakonam and
can be visited along with other temples having Thanjavur base. It is about 10
kms from Kumbakonam and 5 kms from Swamimalai, the famous Murugan (Karthikeyan)
temple.
It can be easily visited along with Thiruaadhanoor
divyadesam that is just about a km away. Local Bus No: 12 and 30 ply from
Kumbakonam to Pullam Bhoothangudi (via Swami Malai) on way to Thiruvaikavoor.