Veera Raghava Swami Temple (Thiruevvul), Thiruvallur –
Legends
Thiruevvul:
The
legend connected with this temple says, that one Thai Amavasya day a wandering
sage named Salihotra reached Thiruvallur where he met a congregation of sages.
They were engaged in taking bath in the tank Hrith-Thapa-Nasini and he was also
advised to take bath before performing his daily rituals. The bath changed the
mind and Sri Salihotra decided to stay at the bank of that Holy tank and start
a penance without food or water for one year. The next year on the same Pushya
Amavasya day he completed his penance and took a holy dip in the
Hrith-Thapa-Nasini tank and observed his morning prayers.
As he
was fasting for one year without food and drink, he collected on that day some
paddy and prepared prasadam using rice flour. At this juncture Lord Narayana
took the form of an old Brahmin and came the way where Salihotra was waiting to
offer a share to a guest. He immediately offered the food to the Brahmin who
ate up the offering. Salihotra understood that the old Brahmin was very hungry
and immediately offered his share also to the guest too. The guest was
satisfied and left the place. Another one year of penance continued without any
food and drink.
Again,
on the day of Pushya Amavasya Salihotra took his holy bath and after his
prayers prepared food as he did the previous year. He offered the food to
Narayana and was waiting for a guest. This time also Lord Narayana took the
form of an old Brahmin and he was welcomed by Salihotra to his hermitage. The
old Brahmin expressed that he was feeling extremely hungry and thirsty and
needed a place to rest. After taking prasadam the old Brahmin expressed to
Salihotra, 'where is the place for me to lie down?' (Evvul?) 'In this
hermitage', (Ivvul), answered Salihotra.
The old
man was pleased at this offer and stretched his body in the hermitage putting
his head towards south. Immediately the old Brahmin transformed himself into
the form of Sri Narayana and Adisesha appeared with his thousand hoods to serve
as couch and canopy. On request from Salihotra Maharishi, the Lord promised
that he would permanently stay there and that he would bless and relieve
everyone who prays to him after taking bath in the tank of his/her diseases and
miseries. Hence, he is called Sri Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy.
Amavasya
Day:
The holy city of Thiruvallur, one among the important
108 Vaishnava Divya Desams, is well known for its significance on Amavasya or
New Moon Day. Sri Vaidya Veeraraghava Swami's greatness as a heeler God is well
known based on the Sthala Puranam. It is said the Lord made a solemn promise to
Sri Salihotra Maharishi that those having darshan on Lord Veeraraghava on
Amavasya day will get relief from all their problems and illness. It is
believed that people get relief from their illness or other personal problems
if they pray here on Amavasya day. Having darshan and offering Kaanikkai on 3
or 6 consecutive Amavasya days is believed to be even more desirable. Hence
thousands of people come to this temple on that day. Long hours of darshan is
arranged by the temple authorities to facilitate the devotees.
Lord Vishnu married Mother Lakshmi here:
As per
another legend, Vishnu appeared in the place to marry Lakshmi, who was born as the daughter of Dilipa, the king of Dharmasenapura.
He appeared in the place and married her.
Other Names:
The
place is also called Thiruevvul and Veekshaaranya Kshetram
Lord Vishnu taught Brahma here:
Legend has
it that Vishnu revealed the Vedas to Brahmma here.
Vijayakoti Vimaanam:
Legend
also has it that Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu-Kaidapas, and
protected devotees here. The Vijayakoti Vimaanam is named after this victory
over demons.
Lord Shiva got relieved of Brahmahatti Dosham here:
Legend
also has it that Shiva was relieved of the Brahmahatti Dosham of killing Daksha upon visiting this shrine. There is a shrine to
Shiva on the banks of the temple tank.
Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal:
It is
believed that bathing in the temple tank, and worshipping Veera Raghava Perumal
with symbolic offerings of salt and pepper here, is a cure to many a physical
ailment, and hence the deity is also known as Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal. It is
also believed that barren couples beget progeny upon worshipping here.
Hrutatapanasini:
The
sacred tank, Hrutatapanasini in the temple is considered more sacred than holy
Ganga and a dip cleanses.