Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Madurai
Veeraraghava
Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Madurai
City in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as
Veeraraghava Perumal and Mother is called as Kanakavalli. The temple was built
during the period of Chokkappa Naicker.
Legends
Many
years ago, the festival of Kallazhagar coming to the river was celebrated at Thenoor
near Sholavandan. The festival mandapas were made of paddy straws. Once, during
the festival, the paddy straws caught fire. The devotees including the king
moved away from the fire for protection. But, a priest by name Amudha jumped
into the fire risking his life, took the idol from flames and threw it on the
river sand and fainted. The King told the priest that though he enjoyed
receiving the first honour, he only thought of saving himself from fire.
The King said that the priest would have the
honour in future. The priest replied saying that he was not for the honour and
the Veeraraghava Perumal whom he was serving should get the title in future.
Following this event, even after change of venue of the festival, when
Kallazhagar comes in his golden horse to Vaigai, the first honour is accorded
to Veeraraghava Perumal.
Having
arrived first on his silver horse Vahanam, Veera Raghava Perumal then welcomes Kalazhagar,
on a Golden Horse Vahanam, into the Vaigai and performs a special Vaiyali going
around Kalazhagar thrice in happiness of receiving him. Kalazhagar then
offers his Garland and Parivattam to Veera Raghava Perumal and first Theertham
(sacred water) is given to the priest of Veera Raghava Perumal temple.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Veeraraghava Perumal.
Veeraraghava Perumal has the honour to receive the first welcome (Mudhal
Mariyadhai) from Kallazhagar when he descends on the Vaigai river on the Chitra
Poornima day. Lord Vishnu can be seen in three forms in this Temple. Lord Veera
Raghava Perumal graces in this temple in a standing form facing east direction,
Yoga Narasimhar in sitting form facing east direction and Ranganathar in lying
form facing south direction. Utsavar is Veeraraghava Perumal with Sridevi and
Bhoodevi. Mother is called as Kanakavalli and she is housed in separate shrine. There are shrines
for Andal, Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Ranganathar in the lying form, Chakrathazhwar,
Garuda, Anjaneya, Manavala Mamunigal and Navagrahas the nine planets.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 04.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.
Festivals
Chitra
Poornima (April-May), Aadi Pooram (July-August), Navarathri
(September-October), Vaikunda Ekadasi (December-January) and Panguni Uthiram
(March-April) are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Though Saturday is
important in Vishnu temples, the crowd is huge here on Fridays Veera Raghava Perumal receives
special honours on the occasion of Kalazhagar procession to the Vaigai during
the Chitrai Festival
Kallazhagar
will come to Vaigai river on a golden yellow horse. Earlier, Veeraraghava
Perumal would come to the place on his silver horse moving zig zag way in a
dancing manner which people call ‘Vaiyazhi Nadai’. He will greet Kallazhagar
saying "Hello Brother come". Kallazhagar would be seated in a mandapam,
Veeraraghava Perumal would go around him thrice. Veeraraghava Perumal would
receive the first honour from Kallazhagar with Theertham, Parivattam (silk
turban) and a garland. Then Veeraraghava Perumal graces dharshan from the
mandap to the devotees.
During
the entire month of Puratasi, there is a special Pushpa Alangara Sevai. On
the full moon day in Puratasi, 2 of the Lords from Veera Raghava Perumal Koil
take part in the 5 Garuda Sevai. Panguni Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is another
important festival celebrated here. Every Friday between 08.00 pm and 09.00 pm,
there is a ‘Sukra Horai’ (Horai= Hour= 2 ½ Nazhigai) for Sayana Kolam
Ranganatha. White Lotus flower archanai is special on this occasion.
Prayers
Prayers
are submitted to Lord for child boon, marriage, trade development, success in
litigations, removal of fear from enemies, good understanding between the
couples and for relief from planetary adverse effects. Devotees offer special
abishek to Sri Ranganatha on Fridays at Sukra Hora time before 8-9 p.m.
Tirumanjanam is offered on Poornima days (full moon day) to Veeraraghava
Perumal and to Pallikonda Ranganathar (lying form) on new moon days (Amavasya).
Contact
Veeraraghava
Perumal Temple,
Veeraraghava
Perumal Temple Street,
Ezhuthanikara
Street Junction, South Masi Street,
Madurai
– 625 001
Phone: +91 452 2338542
Connectivity
The
temple is situated in South Masi Street in Veeraraghava Perumal street on the
Ezhuthanikara street junction. The Temple is located at about 250 meters
from TM Court Bus Stop, 500 meters from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 650 meters from
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 850 meters from Periyar Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Mattuthavani
Integrated Bus Terminus, 7 Kms from Thiruparankundram, 2 Kms from Madurai
Railway Junction and 10 Kms from Madurai International Airport.