Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Athalanallur,
Thirunelveli
Gajendra
Varadaraja Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Athalanallur
Village near Veeravanallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Aadhi Moolam and Utsava Moorthy is Gajendra Varadan. Mother
is called as Therku Nachiyar and Vadakku Nachiyar. Holy Theertham is
Thamirabarani River.
It is located
12 Kms North East of Ambasamudram and about 42 Kms from Thirunelveli amidst
green fields on the Eastern Banks of over flowing Tamaraibarani. As per
inscriptions inside the temple that date back to 1000 years, this place was
referred to as Athaani Nallur (Athaani = Elephant), yet another indication for
the elephant episode connection to this temple.
The Temple
is associated with the Gajendra Moksham episode. Special Initiatives taken 1000
years ago to maintain a beautiful Nandavanam to ensure the presentation of
Flower Garlands for the Lord every day. Even Gardeners were provided for at the temple and their interests taken care
of. Historical name of this place is Yanai Katha Nallur.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
The
temple is located on the banks of the beautiful river Tamirabarani. The river is
located on the backside of the temple. The temple is facing the east direction
and has a stunningly colorful five tier tower (Raja Gopuram). There is another
tower found after entering into the entrance. The area between both the towers
is full of pillars with beautiful carvings. The sanctum sanctorum has the main
deity Aadi Moolam; he is found with four arms and in the standing posture;
his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are found in the standing posture on
his either sides.
The
sages Markandeya and Bhrigu are also found inside the main
shrine. As per the legend, they got darshan of Lord in this site. The metal (Utsava)
processional idols of Gajendra Varadan along with his two consorts
Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are also found in the same shrine. Also, a separate Utsava
idol of Andal is found here. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapa, the
sculptures of Dwarapalas are found to be huge in size. As usual, the sub-shrine
of Garuda, flag staff and Bali peetha are found facing the main shrine.
The main
shrine is built as per 'maada kovil' architectural style. Hence, the main
shrine is found on a raised platform and you can reach that by climbing up few
steps. Also, as per this architectural style, there is a front side mandapa
with carved pillars. The vimana called as 'Indira Vimana' and the back side
wall of the main shrine are artistically beautiful. The temple has two
prakaras. The outer prakara is an open space found with trees and plants.
The
inner prakara has the shrines of Goddesses - Therku Nachiyar (Lakshmi) and
Vadakku Nachiyar (Bhoo Devi). Also, the idols of ten Avatars of Vishnu - Dasavatharam,
Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama, a sub shrine of Paramapatha Nathar - a
stucco idol of Vishnu in the sitting posture are all found in the inner
prakara. In Maha Mandapa, the sub-shrines of Andal and Vishwaksenar are found.
Near
Garuda's idol, Chakkarathalwar with Narasimha holding four discuses on his back
side and the sub-shrine of Hanuman are located. The temple is full of beautiful
carvings. Many of them depict Dasavathara scenes or the scenes related to
Gajendra Moksha legend. Pure rice is offered as Nivedhana to Lord. The
temple was built by kings which represents the architecture of their
period. There are many epigraphic evidences too.
A rock
inside the temple tank referred to as the Elephant Rock, reference to the
Gajendra Moksham episode having taken place in the foot of the Pothigai hills
and the presence of Sage Agastya inside the moolavar sannidhi are believed to
be indications of this temple’s association with the legendary event.
Inscriptions
There
are several inscriptions inside the temple that date back a 1000 years. During
the rule of Kulottunga I (1100AD) a portion of fields of Athalanallur was
separated and granted as a tax free Devadana land. During that period,
Athalanallur was referred to as a hamlet of Cheran Maha Devi and the Gajendra
Varadar temple was referred to as ‘Moymam Pooumbolil’ Azhvaar temple.
During
the rule of Jatavaraman Srivallabha Pandya there was a gift of land for conduct
of worship on Puratadhi day at Athalanallur. The queen of the place has been
mentioned as Uagamuludu Mudaiyaal. There were five sacred offerings to the Lord
each day as organized by the assembly of Cheran Maha Devi during the rule of Maravarman
Pandya. One of the inscriptions refers to the land originally held by the
temple for this purpose as lying waste due to petty quarrels.
There is
also a record of gift of one achchu by Emberumanar Ammai for providing offering
to the God and providing from that prasadam to the servants and worshippers of
Emberumanar in the temple. The Vaishnavas in the temple received the achchu and
agreed to maintain the charity. There was a grant of prasadam to a certain
Ramanuja Jeer for a quarter Annai achchu which the Vaishnavas had received from
him.
Flower Gardens:
Nandavanam
seems to have been given great importance during ancient times at this temple
as seen from the different flower gardens referred in the inscriptions, the
appointment of gardeners to maintain the garden and initiatives to take care of
them. There was a gift of tax free land for flower garden called Tambikku
Nallan Thiru Nandavanam during the rule of Vira Pandyadeva Pandya. On the north
wall of the temple is an inscription dating to the rule of Jatavaraman Pandya
that refers to gift of land to the temple by a big army with 10 commands for
maintaining the garden. There is also a record of a sale of garden lands.
Gardeners at the Nandavanam:
There
was a gift of prasadam to two gardeners for rearing the flower garden called
Ramanuja Thiru Nandavanam during the rule of Kulasekara Pandya. They were
exempted from tax and they were to grow flowers, pick them and string them
together into garlands. There was a gift of Kadamai on certain lands by the
temple for providing maintenance of gardeners of the Iladaraiyan flower
gardens. There was also a gift of one kalam of food by the temple for feeding
the men in charge of Ramanuja flower garden.
Temple
Opening Time
·
Daily: 7 AM to 10:30 AM
and 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
·
Last Saturday of the
month: 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:30 to 8 PM
·
On Purattasi Saturdays: 4
AM to midnight without any break
Festivals
3 day
Thai Poosam festival in January-February, Chithirai first day falling almost on
April 14, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Tirukarthikai in
November-December, 30 day Margazhi puja in December-January, last Saturdays of
Tamil months and all Saturdays in Purattasi (September-October) are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Garuda
Sevai on Vaikasi Uthiradam, Aani Swathi, Puratasi Thiruvonam, Thai Poosam, Muthangi
Sevai on Vaikunda Ekadasi and Chandra Prabha / Sesha Vahana procession are the
events celebrated with much fanfare. On the morning of Vaikunta Ekadasi, there
will be a Special Sayana Sevai. Till 1970, festivals were celebrated round the
year but since then many of the festivals have been stopped.
Prayers
Devotees
pray for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals, child boon, harmony in
family life, progress in education, a job corresponding to qualifications, disappearance
of family problems, prosperity, business development, illness-free healthy life
and success in realizing the desires. To realize their boons, devotees perform
special Tirumanjanam to Lord Gajendra Varada with silk clothing and those wealthy
offer jewels. They also offer Poochattai (garlands densely knit).
Contact
Gajendra
Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Athalanallur,
Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 – 4634 – 287195 / 287295
Mobile: +91 – 99659 20369
Connectivity
The
temple can be reached by auto from Veeravanallur on the Thirunelveli-Papanasam
bus route. Buses are infrequent between Veeravanallur and Athalanallur. From
Athalanallur, one can cross the Tamaraibarani by foot to reach Ranga Samudram
Venkatachalapathy temple. Athalanallur is located at about 42 Kms from
Thirunelveli, 5 Kms from Veeravanallur, 12 Kms from Ambasamudram, 200 Kms from
Madurai, 43 Kms from Tenkasi and 150 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Veeravanallur. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.