Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai, Trichy
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Thiruvellarai, a village in the outskirts
of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian
state of Tamil
Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian
style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the
6th–9th centuries AD. This temple is fourth among the 108 Divya Desams, the
holy destinations for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Thiruvellarai is considered to
have preceded the prime center of Vaishnavism, Srirangam.
The temple is also called Adhivellarai (primary white
stone), Uthama Kshetram (best destination) and Hita Kshetram (beneficial
destination). Presiding Deity is called as Pundarikakshan
Perumal / Senthamarai Kannan. Mother is called as Shenbagavalli / Pankajavalli
/ Periya Pirattiyaar Lakshmi Devi. The Temple is perched on top of a small
white-stoned hillock. ‘Vellarai’ in Tamil means ‘white stone’ and the temple is
also known as Swethagiri (Sanskrit: Swetha-white; Giri-hill).
The
temple complex covers an area of 2.62 ha (6.5 acres), while the tank
covers an area of 0.1256 ha (0.310 acres). It is believed that this temple
was raised by the Pallava king during later part of 8th century A.D. At a later
date medieval Cholas, later Pandyas, Vijayanagara kingdom and Nayakas of
Madurai have greater contribution for the expansion of the temple structures. This Temple is one of the three Divya Desams
with first rights to Thaayar. Thiruvellarai is also birth place of Uyyakondan
and Engal Azhvaar.
Only a
handful of temples have been dedicated to Lord Varaha and this one is called
Swetha Varaha Kshetram. There are two cave temples in the rocks, of which one
belongs to Pallava Malla Nandivarman II’s reign and the other to the Chola King
Rajaraja I’s reign. There is another cave temple carved out of a rock known as Swethagiri
where Lord Siva, known as `Vada Jambunathar’, and Vishnu as Pundarikaksha are
enshrined. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and
Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legends
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History
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The
Temple
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Swastik
Well
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Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
·
Ushathkala Pooja – 7 a.m.
·
Kalasanthi Pooja – 8:00
a.m.
·
Uchikala Pooja – 12:00
p.m.
·
Sayarakshai Pooja – 6:00
p.m.
·
Irandamkalam Pooja – 7:00
p.m.
·
Ardha Jama Pooja – 10:00
p.m.
Festivals
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brief details, please refer below link;
Religious
Significance
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Literary
Mention
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Prayers
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Contact
Pundarikakshan
Perumal Temple,
Thiruvellarai
– 621 009,
Manachanallur
Taluk,
Trichy
District
Phone: +91 431 256 2243
Mobile: +91 93451 18817 / 94431 83618 / 98941 42111
Connectivity
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