Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Boodhanarayana Perumal Temple, North Mada Street, Thiruvannamalai

Boodhanarayana Perumal Temple, North Mada Street, Thiruvannamalai
Boodhanarayana Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at North Mada Street in Thiruvannamalai Town in Thiruvannamalai District. The temple is located on the Girivalam route of Lord Arunachaleswara in Thiruvannamalai.  Presiding Deity is called as Boodhanarayana Perumal. Utsavar is called as Narayana with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Legends
Kamsa, maternal uncle of Lord Krishna used many tactics to kill Lord Krishna as he was destined to be killed by the Lord. But he failed and could not go even near the child. He deputed demon woman Boodhana for the purpose. She came to Lord - Child Krishna in the guise of a woman of enticing beauty. She played with the child lord and breast fed him. Knowing her mission, Lord also pretended as if accepting her feeding but simply squeezed her life while feeding. 
Boodha is another name for demons. Hence, he is named as Boodha Narayana. A devotee built a temple to Lord Krishna with this design. But unfortunately, the temple disappeared in the days that followed. After long years, Lord appeared in the dream of a devotee and told him that he was under the sand. The devotee recovered the idol and raised this temple.
The Temple
Lord Vishnu graces in the name of Boodhanarayana in two places, at Surulimalai in Theni district and here in this temple. Though the Lord appears as a Balaka-child, He is colossal in size as he drank the milk of demon woman Boodhana who came to Gokhula to kill him pretending to breast-feed the Lord as a child. He is sitting with left leg bent and pressing the ground with the right. He holds only his conch on the right hand and offering protection with the left hand-abhayahastha.
Lord graces darshan sitting on Sri Garuda.  Tirumanjanam is performed each morning. This is an ancient temple in Thiruvannamalai, small in size with one prakara. The temple is on the Girivalam route of Lord Arunachaleswara in Thiruvannamalai. Sri Garuda, Thumbikkai Azhwar and Sri Anjaneya grace in front of the Lord’s shrine.  Another Anjaneya is also sculpted on a pillar nearby.  
Devotees begin the Girivalam – going around the mount start from here and end the worship here. They get the theertha from the shrine and spill it at the entrance, thus offering the benefit of worship to Lord himself.
On the last Saturday of Purattasi month (September-October) one bag of rice is cooked and spread before the shrine and offer it as Prasad to devotees.  As the Lord is too big in size, the quantity of rice also is big. On Krishna Jayanthi day-birth day of Lord Krishna, special Tirumanjanam is performed and also on Ekadasi, Tiruvonam star days and full moon days. Devotees offer Tulsi garlands to Chakkarathalwar on Wednesdays with Sweet Pudding Nivedhana.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Sri Krishna Jayanthi in August-September, Ekadasi days - 11th day from New Moon or Full Moon days, Tiruvonam star days are the festivals observed in the temple. Special Tirumanjanams are performed on Full Moon-Poornima days.
Prayers
People pray to Chakkarathalwar – the deity of the discus of Lord Vishnu for relief from the threats of enemies, to succeed in efforts. They also seek boon for a child with all wisdom and spartan characters. People pray to the Lord with sugar candy, sweet pudding seeking a child with all wisdom. Devotees offer butter, sugar candy, Tulsi garlands and Sweet pudding as Nivedhana.
Contact
Sri Boodhanarayana Perumal Temple,
North Mada Street, Thiruvannamalai – 606 601
Mobile: +91 96778 56602
Connectivity
The temple is near the famous Annamalaiyar temple in North Mada Street in Thiruvannamalai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvannamalai and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.