Vaikuntha Perumal Temple (Embar Temple),
Maduramangalam, Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram
Vaikuntha
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Maduramangalam
Village near Sriperumpudur in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is
also called as Embar Temple. In olden days Maduramangalam was known as
Mazalaimangalam. This temple is more than a 1000 years old and is said to have
been built by a Thondaimandala king called Suparna. This temple follows
Thenkalai Tradition and Agamam is Vaikhanasa. Maduramangalam is the avatar
sthalam of Embar. Embar gives Dharsan wearing a pendant given by Sri Udayavar.
It was
Sri Embar who saved Sri Ramanujar's life when Yadava Prakasha tried to kill the
latter due to difference of opinion over the teachings. After following Shaivism
for some time, Sri Embar came back as Sri Ramanujar's disciple and followed
Vaishnavism till the end. He was the one who taught Parasar Bhattar the
teachings of Sri Ramanuja to make him Udayavar's successor.
Legends
Life Story of Embar:
An Amsam
of Garudalwar incarnated as first son of Kamalanayana Bhattar and Srimathi Periya
Pirattiyaar in Krothana Nama year, Thai Month, Punarvasu Nakshatram at a
sacred place called Maduramangalam, also called as Then Madhura. He was named
as Govinda Dhasar and he had a younger brother named Siriya Govinda Perumal.
Sri Embar was related to Ramanuja, as his cousin brother and had great Bhakthi
and regard for him. Both Ramanuja and Embar were initially learning Vedantha
under an Advaitha Acharya named Yadhava Prakasha.
On many
occasions arose when the Saivite Guru clashed with Ramanuja, when the Guru
misinterpreted Vedantic statements. Ramanuja fearlessly pointed out the errors
in the Guru's interpretations and corrected him. This enraged the Guru.
Fearing that one day, Ramanuja would demolish Advaita philosophy, he plotted to
kill Ramanuja and hence he planned a pilgrimage to Kashi, thinking that they
can kill Ramanuja on the way in the forest and clear the sin by taking a holy
dip in Ganga.
At this
point of time Embar somehow came to know about his master’s evil plan and saved
Ramanuja’s life. Embar was a Shiva Bhaktha earlier in his life and later
accepted Srivaishnavism due to the intervention of Sri Ramanuja and Sri
Thirumalai Nambigal and became a great Acharya. He was given the title of
"Embar" by Sri Ramanuja himself. Embar is the shortened version of
the term Emperumaanar. Sri Embar is referred to as the “Ramanuja padhachhaaya”
(shadow of the lotus feet of Bhagavath Ramanuja).
Pradhakshinam:
Lord
gave Pradhakshinam for Saptha Rishis who performed Aswamedha Yaga and Suparna
Maharaja the ruler of Thondai Mandalam.
Embar, an Incarnation of Garuda:
Sri
Embar is believed to be an incarnation of Garuda, for which reason the
Pushkarini is called Garuda Pushkarini. The villagers firmly believe that
poisonous snakes will not harm them.
The
Temple
The presiding
deity of the temple is Sri Vaikuntha perumal with his consorts Sridevi and
Bhoomi Devi Thayar facing East direction. There is a separate Sannadhi for Sri
Kamalavalli Thayar in sitting position facing East direction. The place is the
Avathara sthalam of Sri Ramanujar's first cousin Sri Embar. They both were
students of Sri Yadavaprakashar at Thiruputkuzhi. Sri Embar gives Dharsan
wearing a pendant given by Sri Udayavar. The temple tank is called Garuda
pushkarani. The utsavamurti is the Aradhana Murthi of Embar.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm in the evenings.
Pooja
Timings
Every
day three times pooja is conducted. Every Saturday the Moolavar is decorated
with flower in different "avathaarams".
Pooja Name
|
Timings
|
Viswaroopa Pooja
|
06. 30 AM
|
Kaala Shanthi Pooja
|
07.00 AM
|
Uchchi Kaala Pooja
|
09.00 AM
|
Sayaratchi Pooja
|
05.30 PM
|
Raakkaala Pooja
|
07.00 PM
|
Aravanai Pooja
|
08.30 PM
|
Festivals
·
Brahmotsavam
in the month of Chitrai - 10 days
·
Pavitrotstsava
in the Month of Avani
·
Navarathri
in the month of Purattasi
·
Vaikunta
Ekadesi in the month of Margazhi
·
Avathara
Usthavam of Swamy Embar in the Month of Thai (10 days) and it concludes on the
Janma Nakshtra - Punarvasu
·
Every
Tamil Month Embar’s birth star Punarvasu
Prayers
The
temple is said to be a Prarthana sthalam for childless couples. It is said if
Issueless couple come to Maduramangalam, then get the Kozhukkattai prepared and
offer it to Vaikuntha Perumal, then to Garudan and last to Embar Swamy, and then
they partake Kozhukkattai they will be blessed with issues (It is said Embar is
the Amsam of Periya Thiruvadi a.k.a Vynatheyan). Then
it is also said any sort of eye aliments gets cured if you pray to Embar swamy
and light the Ghee lamp.
Contact
Arulmigu
Vaikunta Perumal & Arulmigu Embar Samy Thirukoil,
Maduramangalam,
Sriperumpudur,
Kanchipuram
– 602105
Phone: +91 44 – 27162236
Mobile: +91 – 9444898548
Connectivity
The
temple is about 60 kms from Chennai and around 20 kms from Sriperumpudur &
7 Kms from Sunguvar Chatiram.
By Road:
Coming
from Chennai on the Bangalore highway, take a right towards Sunguvar Chatram.
Then take a right at the Vinayagar temple to reach Maduramangalam via
Maduramangalam road.
The
Central Bus Stand is just two kilometer away from the Temple.
Bus Number
|
Route
|
76 C
|
Koyambedu To Sriperumpudur
|
576 AC Vehicle
|
T.Nagar To Sriperumpudur
|
576 Ac /Non AC
|
Koyambedu To Sriperumpudur
|
S583
|
Tambaram To Sriperumpudur
|
S583B
|
Tambaram To Perambakkam
|
S583D
|
Tambaram To Sriperumpudur
|
S583C
|
Tambaram To Sriperumpudur
|
By Train:
Chennai
is well connected from the cities/towns all over India.
By Air:
Chennai
has both national and international airports.
References