Soundara Narayana Perumal Temple, Pattarai Perumbudur,
Thiruvallur
Soundara Narayana Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Pattarai Perumbudur Village near
Thiruvallur Town in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is believed
to be 1000 years old and built during Chola Period.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Soundara Narayana
Perumal. He is facing east holding the Sankha and Chakra in his upper hands.
The lower right hand is in abhaya hasta (blessing devotees), while the left
hand is in Kati hasta (resting on his waist). His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu
Devi are on either side. Numerous old paintings are visible on the inner walls
of the garbha-griha, depicting various forms for Vishnu. These murals, which
belong to the time of the late Vijayanagara or Nayak dynasties, can only be
faintly seen.
The original deity of this temple was Azhagiya
Perumal, a majestic stone image of Vishnu situated in front of the central
sanctum. He is in Sitting Posture. This deity, also flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu
Devi. A special feature at this temple is that Lord Narasimha is seen in a
Padmasana Posture with his left hand in Aadhvaanam and his right hand in
Vaikunta Hastham. There is an idol of Thirukachi Nambi (of Poonamallee) leading
one to believe that he may have visited this temple.
The other deities in worship are the processional
images of Kodandarama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Bhakta Anjaneya, Garuda,
Dhanavanthri and Hayagriva. Many Tamil inscriptions, mostly belonging to the
Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties, can still be seen in this temple. An epigraph
of the reign of Kulottunga Chola II of the 12th Century AD, registers a sale of
land by the Mahasbhai (administrative organization of villages in the Chola
times).
Another Chola epigraph mentions a gift of tax-free
lands for conducting the procession and for the sacred bath on holy occasions
of the deity. There are two Vijayanagara inscriptions dated 1430 AD and
1457 AD. Originally, this is believed to have been a temple for Azhagiya
Perumal and this moolavar idol along with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are still
found inside the temple. However, inscriptions refer to the temple as
Soundarya Narayana Perumal temple. A 1044AD inscription indicates that
there were gifts of lands to the temple.
An inscription in the South Wall refers to a gift of
tax free land by payment of a lump sum amount. Another inscription on the South
wall of the temple refers to gift of land for conducting processions and to organize
sacred bath for the Lord on holy occasions in the year. There are several
inscriptions on the base of the South, West and North walls of the temple.
These inscriptions give us an indication that the temple was well funded to
celebrate festivals. This ancient Chola period temple is now in a not so good
shape. This temple follows the codes of the Vaikhanasa Agama.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.00 am to 10.00 am
and 06.00 pm to 07.30 pm.
Festivals
Vaikunta Ekadesi, Vaikunta Dwadasi, Thirumanjanam on
Shravanam, Swathi, Moolam and Punarvasu are the festivals celebrated here.
Contact
Soundarya Narayana Perumal Temple
Pattarai Perumbudur,
Kadambathur Via,
Thiruvallur – 631 203
Phone: +91 44 2765 0436
Mobile: +91 97900 86480
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
200 meters from Pattarai Perumbudur Bus Stop, 10 Kms from Thiruvallur, 11 Kms
from Thiruvallur Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Thiruvallur Railway Station, 8 Kms from
Thiruvalangadu, 57 Kms from Chennai and 56 Kms from Chennai Airport. Buses ply every half hour between Chennai
Koyambedu and Thiruthani. Get down at Pattarai Perumbudur, about 10 Kms after
Tiruvallur on the Thiruthani Highway. The temple is walking distance from the
bus stop. By Train, one can take Sapthagiri or Tirupathi Express from Chennai
Central and get down at Tiruvallur. From Tiruvallur, take the bus towards Thiruthani/Tirupathi
and get down at Pattarai Perumbudur (10 Kms)- One can reach the temple in 15 minutes
from Tiruvallur.