Vaikunta Narayana Perumal Temple, Manakkal Ayyampettai,
Thiruvarur
Vaikunta
Narayana Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Manakkal
Ayyampettai in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is belonged to Pallava
Period and is believed to be built during 7th Century AD. The place
is referred as Thiru Peru Velur during Chozha rule. Thiru Gnana Sambandar
praised the Abhi Muktheeswarar temple here at Manakal in his Devaram Verse. The
temple is a Shukra Dosha parihara Sthalam.
History
Stone
inscriptions place this temple between 7th and 9th Century CE. One still finds
the brick construction on the upper wall of the sanctum as well as the two tier
Rajagopuram. References are also made during the times of Kulothunga and
Rajendra Chola. During the rule of Kulothunga Chozha and Rajendra Chozha, this
place was referred to as Thiru Peru Velur and Thiru Peru Velur Vinnagaram.
During the Nayak Period in the 15th century AD, this place was known as
Siru Velur Ayyampettai.
It is
also thought that this temple could have been originally created during the
Pallava period based on certain architectural features. The temple was damaged
during the invasion of Malik Kafur in the 14th Century CE and
neglected for a long time. In recent times Dr. R. Sivaraman hailing from here,
played an instrumental role along with the Government, religious organizations
and people to bring it back to its old glory.
The Abhi
Muktheeswarar temple at Manakkal was praised by Appar in his Devaram Verses. As
per the 12th Century AD inscription at that temple, this place was
flourishing with the vibrant Mada Streets, lot of wealth and lands belonging to
the temple and happy people residing here with Saivite-Vaishnavite unity.
The
Temple
The
Temple contains an imposing huge Vimana for the main deity and a smaller 3 tier
Rajagopuram at the entrance on the east. Presiding Deity is called as Vaikunta
Narayana Perumal in sitting posture and is facing east. Mothers Bhoomadevi and
Neeladevi are along with Perumal in the sanctum. The Perumal with Sri Devi and
Boodevi has the prayoga chakra, i.e., the chakra in the posture of “about to be
delivered”, a rare and highly powerful posture that can be found only in few
temples suggesting that Perumal is just ready to protect the devotees
immediately. There are shrines for Lakshmi Kubera, Garuda, Baktha Anjaneya and Chakrathazhwar
in the prakaram of the Temple. For almost 700 years, the temple had been in a
dilapidated condition with the Raja Gopuram in a state of ruin. The temple was renovated
recently.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 9 am – 12.30 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm.
Festivals
·
Procession on Vaikunda
Ekadesi and Puratasi Saturday
·
Thirumanjanam on Tamil New
Year
Prayers
The
temple is a Shukra Parikara Sthalam. Offering sincere prayers here liberates
one from Shukra Dosham.
Contact
Vaikunta
Narayana Perumal Temple,
Manakkal
Ayyampettai,
Thiruvarur
District
Phone: +91 4366 326227
Mobile: +91 97880 40397
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Thiruvarur, 3.5 Kms from Thirukkannamangai,
6 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 5 Kms from Engan, 12 Kms from Nannilam, 14 Kms from Koradacherry
and 112 Kms from Trichy. The temple is located on the Thiruvarur – Kumbakonam State
Highway just after Thiru Kannamangai Divya Desam. Buses every 15 minutes from
Tiruvarur. From Manakkal bus stop, auto to the temple will cost Rs. 30/- (1/2
km). Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvarur and Nearest Airport is
located at Trichy.