Vanamutti Perumal Temple, Kozhikuthi, Mayiladuthurai –
The Temple
This
temple, over 800 years old, is unique in that the presiding deity is 18 feet
high and is carved out of single Athi (Fig) tree in a uniquely tainted Ajantha
coloration. The history says the temple had seven prakarams but currently only
one remains. Presiding Deity is called as Vanamutti Perumal / Srinivasa Perumal.
As the posture is tall, He is named Van-Sky, Mutti-Hitting, and Perumal – Van
Mutti Perumal. Thayar is known as Daya Lakshmi. Perumal is seen here with
Thulasi Mala and Sri Lakshmi Devi to his chest along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
Thayar also. Srinivasa perumal is seen with Shanku, Chakra, Gadha and
Abhaya Hastham. No abishek is performed on Perumal as the idol is of wood,
only Thaila Kappu is done.
The holy
stone carvings at this temple also reveals that for fifty one weeks and on
every Saturday for 11 Brahmins, the temple management was authorized and
empowered to distribute holy oil for head bath and food items. All these indicate
this temple as a Sani Parikara Sthalam. The Sani Gayathri released by
Pippalar Maharishi is significantly respected for any defects/deficiencies due
to the planet Saturn in the horoscopes. Sri Yoga Narasimhar here is considered
powerful in that worshipping him during Pradosham is sure to cure of
any Angaraha Dosham.
Sri
Bhaktha Anjaneyar with his tail curled to head and a bell is hanging at the tip
of the tail. He is also known as Sapthaswara Anjaneyar, since tapping any part
of his holy body would give a unique musical note. The other deities here are
Sri Ramanujar, Sri Nardhana Krishna and Sri Viswaksenar. Theertham is Viswa
Pushkarini. There are seven wells which indicate the seven holy rivers. It is
said that the Pushkarini was created by the Lord Himself. There is also a cave
path (சுரங்க பாதை). The
temple tank is located at the right side of the temple, which is considered
very significant.
A holy
dip in this temple tank is considered a greatest cure for all diseases since
the temple history itself reveals that the Lord has cured Pippalar Maharishi of
his severe disease by asking him to start on a pilgrimage visiting all temples
en route the river Cauvery till finally the Lord would give His darshan to him
at this Kshetra. The roof of main sanctum is in the shape of an umbrella, which
is known as Chattra Vimanam. Worshipping Kozhikuthi Van Mutti
Perumal, the devotee is blessed with the triple benefit of the darshan of Lord
Srinivas in Tirupati, Lord Athi Varadaraja in Kancheepuram and Lord Yoga Narasimha
in Sholingur.
There
are shrines for Garuda Bhagwan, Acharya Sri Ramanuja, and Sri Vishwaksenar
blessing the devotees. There is a statue of Sage Pippala Maharshi in the
Moovalur Marga Sahayeswarar Temple nearby. There are three separate inscriptions
inside the temple. One of the inscriptions refers to the process of liberation
from Sani Dosham if a devotee presents Anna Dhanam to 10Brahmins on 51
Saturdays. The process details having a head bath, presenting Nallennai in a
bronze vessel with four vegetables and one green (Keerai) vegetable. The
history says the temple had seven prakarams but currently it has only one.
