Pesum Perumal Temple, Koozhampandal, Thiruvannamalai
Pesum Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God
Vishnu located at Koozhampandal Village in Thiruvannamalai District of
Tamilnadu. This is a small temple
with a single shrine but the Perumal is gigantic and beautiful. It was
discovered from the field and installed here. The temple is said to be more
than 1000 years old. Koozhamandal is approximately 18 Kms from Kanchipuram on
the route to Vandavasi, in Thiruvannamalai District. This place, now known as
Koozhamandal, was also called as Koozhampandal.
Legends
Telugu
Chola kings offered 14 coins (panam) and 18 Kalam paddies for the lighting of
deepas and maintenance of pujas in the temple. It was the order of the
throne that this should go on till Sun and Moon exist. The money and the
paddy were entrusted with the Bhattar-priest of the temple. But he did not
use them for the temple. He also prepared some poison to kill female
children. He also used the milk used for last rites of such children for
the Tirumanjanam of Perumal. Angry Perumal destroyed the Bhattar and also
village. His anger was such that even Vaikunda – Abode of Lord Vishnu - shook
in fear. Later, elders of place came to know of this story through some
inscriptions, begged the pardon of Lord, built the temple and began pujas and
maintenance of the temple devotionally. As Perumal pointed out the error
and crime of a priest, He is praised as Pesum Perumal – Perumal who spoke.
History
The
village of Koozhamandal has a history going back at-least to the era of the
mighty Cholas of Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. An inscription in this
village records the name Koozhamandal. An explanation offered for this name is
that Koozhan is the name for jackfruit tree and pandal means a road. This was
probably a village by which there was a road lined with jackfruit trees.
As per inscriptions
in the Siva temple, this place is originally called as Gangaikonda Cholisvaram
and now called as Jagannathesvarar temple. As per another inscription, this
village was also called as Vikramachola Puram. This Siva temple was constructed
during the time of Rajendra Chola I (1012 – 1044 A.D.). It is entirely possible
that the Vishnu temple is also of this time.
The
location of the Vishnu and Siva temples in this village are according to the
requirements of the Agamas and also the Vastu Sastra and thus reveal that this
township came up in the Chola times and was laid out in conformity with the
rules of these texts. Telugu Cholas ruling then Nellore in Andhra Pradesh
and Kanchipuram together had effected renovations to the temple. There is
an inscription in the entrance frame wall that King Vijaya Kanda Gopala (1270
AD) visited the temple and also spoke to Perumal.
The
Temple
The main
deity Varadaraja Perumal is east facing and accompanied by Sridevi &
Boodevi holding lotus in their boonful hands in standing posture. Lord is a
very grand image, more than 6 ft. in height in a standing posture wearing a
long Salagrama mala. In his upper two arms, Perumal holds the conch and the
discus. His lower right hand is in abhaya hasta and his lower left hand is in
gada-hasta (as though resting on his mace). To the left and right side of this
main image (Moola Vigraha) stand Sri Devi and Bhu Devi (Ubhaya Nachiyar).
The
processional deity, also wearing a Salagrama garland, is exactly like the main
image and he too is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. There is no separate sanctum
for Goddess Lakshmi in this temple. The utsavamurti of Perundevi Thayar, the
consort of Sri Pesumperumal, along with other bronze utsavamurtis of Sri
Venugopala Swami with Rukmini and Satyabhama, are worshipped in this sanctum. The
long and spacious Mandapam in front of the central shrine has the stone
sculptures of the Azhwars and Acharyas like Mudal Azhwars, Nammazhwar, Andal,
Periazhwar, Tirumazhisai, Azhwar, Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni in worship.
At the
end of this Mandapam, facing the deity is a stone icon of Garuda. Just like the
main sanctum, the temple campus is also very small, but it was huge in the
times bygone. Over the years, due to weathering and neglect, this temple was in
a very dilapidated condition. With the help of local temple and devotees, the
samprokshanam was performed on 27th June, 2002.
Since
then, efforts have been made to build the sanctums for Thayar, Azhwars,
Acharyas, Andal, the compound wall, sacred kitchen (madapalli), gopuram and
also repairing of the temple tank, digging a well and laying out a garden. The
temple tank is called as Ananta Pushkarini and also a Chetti Kulam is there and
the sacred tree in this temple is Parijadham.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
Special
prayers and worships are undertaken in the temple for deaf, dumb and disabled
children. Parents visit the temple on a particular day of the week with the
child and continue for nine weeks on the same day. Devotees light
deepas in coconut shells using ghee and circumambulate the temple nine times. Priests
spill the Shangu theertha – theertha from the conch – on the face of the
child. This theertha is taken home enough for a week’s use. It is believed
that any ritual or ceremonies performed in this temple as fasting, Dhana-charity,
homas and remedial ceremonies ensures the devotee thousand fold benefits.
Contact
Sri
Pesum Perumal temple,
Koozhampandal,
Thiruvannamalai
District
Phone: +91 4182 245 304 / 293 256.
Mobile: +91 97879 06582
Connectivity
The
temple is situated at about 18 Kms on Kanchipuram to Vandavasi route in a place
called Koozhampandal. From the main road, the temple is about 200 meters away
towards west. The temple is near the bus stop. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Kanchipuram and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.