Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Siruvapuri, Thiruvallur
Varadharaja
Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Siruvapuri
in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This holy place is currently called as
Chinnambedu. This is an ancient Vishnu Temple near the Siruvarpuri Murugan
Temple. This Temple is also called as Ooraga Perumal Temple.
Legends
The lord
is believed to have come to the help of Saint Suchvasar and rid him and his
people of the ravages of the Asura Siravanasuran. Saint Valmiki is believed to have
taught Lava and Kusa, sons of Rama, the skills of bow and arrow here in this area.
Lord Vishnu of this Temple was worshipped by Rama’s twins Lava &
Kucha. Also, Sage Valmiki had the darshan of Lord Mahavishnu.
The
Temple
This is
an east facing Temple without a Rajagopuram. This temple, even though, appears
to be ancient, is very small in size. Lord Vishnu appears in three forms in
this temple. The main deity is Varadaraja Perumal / Ooraga Perumal who is in
the standing posture and found along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.
Lord is
known as Theenda Thirumeni Perumal since the Bhattachariars, even today, cannot
touch the moolavar. On every Karthikai Tamil month, Thaila Kappu (oil cover) is
done to Perumal. The Urchavar, a Saligrama Vigraham, is called as Prana Harthi
Haran. He is also called as Kannoli Perumal since eye related problems are
solved by worshipping him. There is a small idol of Garuda in the shrine facing
the presiding deity.
There is
a shrine where Lakshmi and Narayana along with Vishwaksenar are found. Here,
Vishnu (Narayana) is in the sitting posture and this shrine is called as
Lakshmi Narayana shrine. There is another shrine in this temple where the idol
is made up of Maragadham (granite) - Srinivasa Perumal shrine, where the Lord
is found along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.
All the
metal idols (Utsava idols) are found in the shrine of Varadarajar. Near the
shrine of Srinivasa Perumal, there is an attractive idol of Krishna along with
Rukmini. Alwars are also found in the Srinivasa Perumal's shrine. The corridor
houses the shrines of Hanuman and Andal. Hanuman here is Swayambu. The goddess
of the temple Perundevi is also found in a separate shrine in the temple
corridor.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 250 meters from Siruvapuri / Chinnambedu Bus Stop,
400 meters from Ayyanar Medu Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Thatchoor, 10 Kms from Periyapalayam,
16 Kms from Gummudipoondi, 13 Kms from Ponneri, 30 Kms from Pulicat, 42 Kms
from Tiruvallur and 36 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated on the
Chennai-Kolkata highway. Bus no. 133 runs from Madras Basin Bridge bus stand to
the temple. In Chennai – Kolkata highway, once has to cross Thatchoor cross
road, which is a famous point in that road. From there proceed around 3 Kms,
where you can see a small green board to your left. Take that left road and
travel 3 kms in the same road to reach the temple.
Buses
depart at 6 am, 12 noon, 4 pm and 8 pm. Bus no. 533 runs from Chennai Koyambedu
bus stand to the temple, departs at 6:15am, 7:20am, 10:00am, 11:05am, 1:50pm,
3:00pm, 5:50pm, 7:00pm. Bus no 547 running from Mint to Periyapalayam also
reaches this temple, departs at 5am, 6:30am, 8:30am, 9:55am, 11:30am, 1pm,
3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7pm. The Temple is located at about 10 Kms from Kavaraippettai
Railway Station, 13 Kms from Ponneri Railway Station and 14 Kms from
Gummidipoondi Railway Station. The Temple is located at about 50 Kms from
Chennai International Airport.