Uthamaraya Perumal Temple, Periya Aiyampalayam,
Thiruvannamalai
Uthamaraya
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Periya Aiyampalayam
Village in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Uthamaraya
Perumal with Consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Theertham of this Temple is called
as Perumal Theertham Agamam of this Temple is Vaikanasam Agamam.
Legends
Many
years ago, a dumb boy was grazing sheep in this mount. An old man appeared
and stood before him. The boy wondered as he has not met him
before. The old man advised the boy to go down and inform the people of
his arrival at the mount. People were surprised that the dumb boy spoke
clearly. He explained them how the old man blessed him. They rushed
and met him. The old man appeared before them in his Vishnu form with
discus and conch. As Perumal gave darshan to the little dumb boy, they
praised him as Uthamaraya Perumal blessing a dumb with speech skills. The
also erected a temple. Kings of Vijayanagara had executed many renovations
to the temple.
The
Temple
The
temple was built during the Vijayanagara period in the 14th century.
We have to climb 350 steps to reach the temple but the steps are very easy to
climb. The deity is known as Oomaikku vaai kodutha Uthamaraya Perumal (the
Perumal who gave the speaking capability to a dumb). As Perumal granted darshan
to a little boy, He is a Balyamurthy (young boy) in the temple. He is standing
on an Avudayar-a platform with discus and conch. There is a meditation
cave on the right side of the shrine. It is said that Perumal granted
darshan to boy from this cave.
As the
Lord came here alone, there is no shrine for Mother-Goddess. The shrine
for Vaishnava Acharya is in the front Mandapam. Garudazhwar alone is in front
of Perumal. There are no sub-deities. The Dwarapalaka idols (Security
men) are made of a stone red in colour which is rare to get. Nagar is carved on
a rock on both sides of Lord’s shrine. Those facing serpent planet
problems offer turmeric paste to Nagas.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. continuously. On Saturdays the
timing would be from 7.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The devotee can visit the temple
during others hours also if he/she gets in touch with the priest in advance.
Festivals
There is
a meditation cave on the right side of the shrine. It is said that
Perumal granted darshan to boy from this cave. The darshan to the boy was
granted on the third day of Thai month, almost falling January 16. This
event is celebrated as Makara Festival. Makara is the name of the Thai
Tamil month. Lord will be in his best dressing after special pujas and abishekams.
He will come in procession with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
Processions
are also conducted on Vijayadasami day in September-October related to
Navarathri and on Vishnu Karthikai in November-December. Devotee arrivals would
be more on Saturdays in the month of Thai-January-February and Purattasi –
September-October to light Maa Vilakku lamps.
Prayers
It so
happens that some children are born dumb. Some has stammering problems or
unable to pronounce words correctly. More prayers are for relief from such
troubles. They perform abishek with honey. The abishek honey is
applied on the tongue of the child with Tulsi. Honey is also the Prasad
given in the temple, which, if consumed regularly rewards the patient with
speech skills. Also lecturers and singers follow this prayer and honey
consumption for better speech skills. They offer abishek and vastras to
Lord on realizing their wishes.
Devotees
pray to Lord to cleanse their mind from evil thoughts, unmarried seek
good-natured match, speech for dumb children. Those afflicted with Naga
doshas-serpent planet aspects offer turmeric paste dressing (Alankaram) to
Nagas. Devotees light Maa Vilakku-a lamp made of rice flour and ghee paste- performs
abishek with honey and offer articles equal to their weight called Tulabaram. Tirumanjanam
is performed to the Lord each Saturday. Those seeking to cleanse their
minds of evil thoughts come here for peace. The unmarried pray for good
match.
Contact
Sri
Uthamaraya Perumal Temple,
Periya
Aiyampalayam – 632 315,
Arani
Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District
Phone: +91 4181 248 224 / 248 424
Mobile: +91 93455 24079
Connectivity
This
temple is located at Periya Aiyampalayam village at almost halfway between
Kannamangalam and Santhavasal on the Polur - Vellore route to the left side of
the main road while going from Vellore. You have to travel inside for about 1
km from the main road. The temple is 6 km from Kannamangalam on the Vellore - Thiruvannamalai
road covering 23 km. Bus facility from Kannamangalam is not convenient. Auto
facility is available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvannamalai
and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
