Nainamalai Varadharaja Swamy Temple, Namakkal
Nainamalai
Varadharaja Swamy Temple is one of the most ancient temples in Tamilnadu. According
to Hindu mythology, it has been there for many yugas and rishis had done tapas
there. Naina maharishi had done tapas here and hence it is called as
Nainachalam. Every 12 years, Lord Indira come and worships the Swamy in the
form of thunder. This temple is called as “Thirupathi of Salem”.
During
the month of Puratasi lakhs of devotees come to the temple on Saturdays. The
temple is situated at a hill top. The hill top can be reached by climbing 3500
steps. Thala Virucham of this temple is nali tree. A Road has been laid to the
temple top from the foot of the hills. Here Thirumanjana deepam is very famous
and is visible to the nearby surrounding villages and town. It is located at a
distance of 10 miles north-east of Namakkal, which is said to have been built
by Poligar Ramachandra Nayaka.
The
temple is dedicated to Varadaraja and is regarded with special veneration by
the people in the District who visit it in large numbers on Saturdays in
Purattasi (September–October). The hill is claimed to be the abode of the Sage
Kanvar, the foster father of Sakuntala, the heroine of the well-known drama,
"Sakuntala or the Lost Ring". But several villages in the ceded
districts in the Andhra Pradesh claim the same honour.
One can
reach this place from Sendamangalam (2 km). It is located at a distance of 20
kms South of Rasipuram and 15 kms North East of Namakkal.
Legends
The
Boodha Ganas (an army like division of Lord Shiva's empire) approached Lord
Vishnu for relief from a curse spelt on them by Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu created
a spring here through a serpent named Anantha (Anantha Saras Theertham), gave
darshan to the Bhoodas from its bank and relieved them of the curse. As a token
of their gratitude, the Boodha Ganas erected this temple for Lord Vishnu.
Hence, the place is called Bhoodhapuri. The Lord is named Aadhikesava Perumal.
It has
been there for many yugas and rishis had done tapas there. The temple is
called Nainachalam, because Naina rishi, the guru of Thirumalai Naicker, did
penance here. Every 12 years, Lord Indira come and worships the Swamy
in the form of thunder. There’s even a sculpture of this in one of the
elaborately carved pillars. The temple is considered to be present in all the 4
yugas in various names like Indhra Jalam, Padma jalam, Yadhava jalam and Naina
jalam.
The
Temple
Nainamalai
Varadharaja Swamy Temple is one of the most ancient temples in Tamilnadu. This
temple is called as "Thirupathi of Salem". Main deities are Sri
Varadharaja Swamy and Kuvalayavali Thayar. During the month of Puratasi lakhs
of devotees come to the temple on Saturdays. The temple is situated at a hill
top. The hill top can be reached by climbing 3500 steps which would hardly take
3 hours trek up the hill. Thala Virucham is nali tree which is said to be there
for four Yugams in the temple.
In the
maha mandapam, the sculptures of Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanan, and Krishnan with
butter pot, Narasimhar, Veera Anjaneyar, Manmathan, Rathi, Ayyappan and Dasavatharam
are present. From the 1st of Tamil month Aani to the 30th of Aadi, Sun rays
fall on the Lord. There are 3 water streams. Here Thirumanjana deepam is very
famous and is visible to the nearby surrounding villages and town.
In the
foot the nainamalai hills is the Sendamangalam town. Here there is a big temple
built during Nayakar kings time. The main deities are Sri Perundevi Sametha
Lakshmi Narayana Swamy.
Festivals
·
Brahmotsavam
(in the Tamil month of Masi)
· Puratasi
Vratham on Saturdays (5weeks in month of September & October)
Contact
Contact
Person: Soundarajan Battachariar
No 3,
perumal Kovil Street,
Sendamangalam
Namakkal
District
Tamilnadu
– 637409
Mobile: 9443499854 &
9442397876
Connectivity
It is
located at a distance of 20 kms South of Rasipuram and 15 kms North East of
Namakkal. One can reach this place from Sendamangalam also (2 km).This place is
located in Thirumalaipatty. From Thirumalaipatty to the temple is the very
easiest way to reach the temple.
Nearest
Railway Station is located at Rasipuram, Salem & Namakkal. Nearest Airport
is located at Trichy & Coimbatore.