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Friday, February 17, 2017

Uthamaraya Perumal Temple, Periya Aiyampalayam, Thiruvannamalai

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.