Varadharaja Perumal Temple (Hayagriva Temple),
Chettipunnyam – The Temple
Though
the main deity of this temple is Varadharaja Perumal, many people throng here
to worship Yoga Hayagrivar. One can see that the temple is always filled with
school and college students coming here to worship Yoga Hayagrivar, as he is
the believed as the God for education, knowledge and wisdom. It is said that,
originally this temple had Sri Varadharaja Perumal only. Later during 1848, the
idols of Sri Devanaadha Perumal and Sri Yoga Hayagrivar have been brought here
from Thiruvaheendrapuram (near Cuddalore) to safe guard them from invaders.
Now, the
main deity here is Varadharaja Perumal and Goddess Hemambuja Nayagi. The
Urchavar of this temple is Devanaadha Perumal. Devanaadha Perumal is seen here
with Prayoga Chakra on his right hand, which is a rare sight. Usually
Hayagrivar is seen along with Sri Lakshmi in many places. But here unusually, he
is seen meditating in Yogic posture with his legs folded without Sri Lakshmi. Yoga
Hayagriva is a rare form of idol and the idol is short. Dhwajasthambha is made
of stone here on which Sri Garuda is seen facing the Lord, towards the sanctum.
An
Azhinjal tree is present at the northern side of the temple, where people tie a
thread or a piece of cloth and pray the Lord for marriage, children and also to
fare well in examinations. The idol of Varadaraja is found along with his two
consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. There are also separate shrines for Andal,
Alwars, and Garuda. In the corridor surrounding the main shrine (prakaram), you
can find the idols of Hayagriva and Nagaraja.
There is
a big shrine for Lord Rama (Kothanda Raman), where he is found along with Sita,
Lakshman, and Hanuman/Anjanayar. In the recent time, the popularity of this temple
has increased as people started bringing their school going children to this
temple (as Hayagriva is considered as the God of Knowledge). The prakaram is
beautifully maintained with garden and found very neat.
A big
bell is found hanged onto the iron, but not encouraged to touch it, as it is
found cracked. Looks like the bell is very old and also there is a mention
above it on the wall as “Got Donation Rs 200 from Rajaram Naidu in 1920. It is
difficult to take one's eyes off the images at this temple, not only those of
Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Anjaneya, but also those of Lord Devanathan, Goddess
Hemambujavalli, Yoga Hayagriva, Lord Varadaraja and Andal.
The
temple is under the control of the HR and CE Department. It owns landed
property donated by philanthropists and a house gifted by the Mudumbai
Ramaswamy Iyengar family, who brought the idols of Rama, Sita and others from
the Serfoji palace at Thanjavur. A beautiful temple, especially granting wishes
for students.
