Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Keezha
Thiruvenkatanathapuram, Thirunelveli
Varadaraja
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Keezha
Thiruvenkatanathapuram Village in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. This
ancient temple is located at about 800 meters East of Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram
Temple on the bank of the river Thamirabarani. Due to the abundant presence of
Red Soil around the temple, this place got the name “Sengani”, where “Sen”
meaning “Red” and “Kani” meaning “Land” in Tamil.
Presiding
Deity is also called as Dhana Regai Perumal. The Temple belongs to 12th
Century AD. The Temple follows Thenkalai Vaikanasam Agamam. The temple which
had been in dilapidated condition for almost half a century was recently
renovated. It is also located very near to the Gothai Parameswarar temple, also
known as Then Kalahasthi.
Legends
Vaazha Vaikum Perumal:
A king
who ruled Nellai in the 14th century came to this temple to get
blessings from the Lord, but the priest was unavailable due to illness. At that
time the Lord, disguised himself as the priest, performed the pooja, saving the
priest from the King’s punishment. So the Lord is often called “Vaazha Vaikum
Perumal” (The one who saves).
Bhrigu Rishi penance on Lord Vishnu:
Bhrigu
Rishi is said to have undertaken penance in this forest area of Saali Vaadi
Puram. It is believed that the Lord was installed here by Saint Brighu.
Dhana Regai Perumal:
As the
Dhana Regai (prosperity line) runs on the right hand of Varadaraja Perumal, the
belief is that if a devotee places a coin in the hand of the Lord, it will
multiply. Hence, the Lord is called Dhana Regai Perumal.
The Temple
Varadaraja
Perumal Temple is situated on the banks of the Thamirabarani River. It was built by King Veerapandian in the twelfth
century. On the northern side of the temple lies the Kubera vassal, which is
the main entrance. A bamboo tree serves the Sthala Viruksham (Main tree of the
temple). Since the Lord has all the positives in his “Dhana Regai”, this Sthala
is called as Shukra Sthala. Shri Varadaraja Perumal is present with four hands
along with the consorts Sridevi Thayar and Bhoomadevi Thayar.
He has
Chakra and Dhana Regai (money yielding line) in his right hands and Sangu and
Gadayutham in his lefts hands. It is a belief that by getting the money blessed
by keeping it in his Dhana Regai, one would never be in trouble due to lack of
money. The Lord here is also called as “Then (South) Kanchi” in synonymous to
Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal.
Temple
Opening Time
·
Monday to Friday: 7 AM to
11 AM and 5 PM to 7:30 PM
·
Saturday: 6 AM to 1PM and
5 PM to 8:30 PM
·
Sunday: 7AM to 12 noon and
5 PM to 8 PM
Festivals
·
Puratasi Shravanam -
Garuda Sevai
·
Margazhi Utsavam
·
Thai Dolotsavam
Contact
Varadaraja
Perumal Temple,
Keezha
Thiruvenkatanathapuram,
Thirunelveli
District
Mobile: +91 97891 32401
Connectivity
This
ancient temple is located at about 800 meters East of Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram
temple on the bank of the river Thamirabarani. It is located about 10 kms
from Thirunelveli Junction, 166 Kms from Madurai and 156 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest
Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
References
