Sundararaja
Perumal Temple, Veeravanallur, Thirunelveli
Sundararaja
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Veeravanallur in Thirunelveli
District of Tamilnadu. Veeravanallur is located at about 6 Kms west of
Cheranmahadevi.
Legends
Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Sage Kaashyapa:
As per
the legend Sage Kaashyapa, was on penance invoking Lord Kalazhagar of Thirumaliruncholai,
for many decades. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Narayana, gave him darshan in
full splendour decorated with ornaments studded with diamonds and precious
stones. Stunned by the magnificent grace beauty of Lord Narayana, Sage Kaashyapa
humbly requested the Lord to permanently stay in Veeravanallur with his
consorts and protect the people. Lord accepted his request and has been gracing
his devotees as Lord Sundararaja along with his consorts Sundaravalli and
Sundaranayagi. True to his name the Lord at Veeravanallur is beauty
personified.
Valour of Rabbit taking on Hunting Dog:
Once
when the Pandiya King Veeramara Pandiyan, went on hunting he was taken aback by
the sight of a small Rabbit taking on the ferocious Hunting Dog. Realizing the
valour associated with the soil of the land, the King became the ardent devotee
of the Lord Sundarajan. Subsequently the village was named after the King and
hence the name Veeravanallur. Subsequently, many Pandya Kings paid their
obeisance to the Lord and built the temple.
Different Names:
The old
Tamil literature refers this village as Veerayumpathi, Veera Vala Nallur and
Thava Vanam. Also it is called Kashyapa Shetram because of the penance of sage
Kashyapa.
History
Also it
is learnt that the famous Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, who bravely fought against
the British, used to visit this temple along with his army of soldiers, seek
the blessings of Lord Sundarajan and take an oath of valour before every war.
Because of his practice, the village came to be known as Veera Magan Nallur and
Veeram Niraintha Nallur, which later became Veeravanallur.
The
Temple
Lord is
seen in a grand standing posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi. The presence of
an agraharam is a pleasant sight in the village. The temple has a separate
sannidhi for Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, all the Alwars, Sri Ramanujar, Sri
Vedaantha Desikar and Sri Senai Mudali. A beautiful pond with the magnificent
mandapam in the centre adds beauty to the temple.
The pond
used to get copious water from the Manimuthar dam built across the river Tamirabarani
through a canal. The Perumal temple came much later after the construction of
the Shiva Temple. The temple has a Maha Mandapa, Artha Mandapa and Mani
Mandapa. There is a separate Sannidhi for Vedanta Desikar, whose Avathara Utsavam
used to be celebrated in a grand manner over 10 days.
Festivals
Till the
first half of the last century, a 10 day Poosam Festival was celebrated in Thai
with the Chariot Festival on the 9th day. There was also a 10 day Sri
Jayanthi festival, a 7 day Pavitrotsavam and an Oonjal Utsavam in Aippasi. The
21 day festival in Margazhi was also a popular festival at this temple
including the recital of Divya Prabhandham. The presence of all the vahanas
including Garuda Vahana and Hanumantha Vahana also indicate to the conduct of
the annual Brahmotsavam with the Lord going out on street processions providing
darshan to the devotees on different vahanas. And the place had been abuzz with
devotional activity through the year.
However,
over the last few decades, the temple had remained in an unattended condition
with no permanent priest to take care of the daily pooja. In recent times, a
priest has been roped in from Central India along with a Parijarakar to take
care of the sacred offering to the Lord. The temple also wears a new look now
and it is hoped that the festivals that were once an integral part of this
village would be revived again in its old grandeur.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open between 6.30 am and 11am and 4.30 pm – 8.30 pm.
Contact
Sundararaja
Perumal Temple,
Veeravanallur,
Thirunelveli District
Mobile: +91 94601 79551 / 97892 70435 / 98848 30141.
Connectivity
Veeravanallur
is located at about 6 Kms west of Cheranmahadevi, 37 Kms from Thirunelveli, 12
Kms from Ambasamudram, 21 Kms from Papanasam, 195 Kms from Madurai and 150 Kms
from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ambasamudram
& Veeravanallur and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and
Thiruvananthapuram.
References
