Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Puduvayal, Thiruvallur
Vijayaraghava
Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Puduvayal
near Ponneri in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as
Vijayaraghava Perumal and Mother is called as Kamalavalli Thayar. The temple is
said to be more than 1200 years old. The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama.
Legends
Kanva Maharishi:
Sage
Kanva (He is the foster father of Shakunthala of Kalidasa's great epic) build
an ashram on the Banks of Aranya River and worshipped Lord Vishnu. The temple
is believed to have been commissioned by Kanva Maharishi and, therefore, is
called the Sri Kanva Rishi Kshetram. Sri Kanva Maharishi is believed to have performed the
Pratishthapana and Tiruvaradhana of Sri Vijayaraghava at Puduvayal. Sri Kanva
Maharishi's samadhi is believed to be somewhere in Puduvayal vicinity, on the
banks of River Brahma Aranya.
Shakuntala married King Dushyanta here:
Shakuntala
is said to have met and married King Dushyanta here in the Gandharva tradition.
Disputes that dogged Shakuntala's early marital life and the amnesia that
afflicted King Dushyanta were settled and cured here after Shakuntala's vow to
Sri Kamalavalli Thayar was fulfilled. Shakuntala's son, Bharat, is supposed to
have been born here.
Presence of Sage Vaikasana in Sanctum:
Long ago
there was a Gandharva named Sumali. He became a Demon due to curse. In the
demon form, he was known as Nivdan. He used to create obstacle in the Yagnas
done by sages and he used to trouble the Sages. The worried sage Kanva did
penance and appeased Bramha Deva. Then Brahma told him that Sage Kashyapa who
was the disciple of sage Vaikanasa was in Naimisaranya, go to him and take his
advice and please Lord Vishnu. Then the Lord Veeraraghavan did the Samhara of
Sumali. Due to this, Sumali got the Sapa Vimochana and Sage Kanva got the grace
of Lord Vishnu. Since Sage Vaikanasa helped Sage Kanva, in token of recognition,
He (Vaikanasa) is worshipped in the form of Vigraha Roopam in the Sanctum.
Brindaranya Shetram:
This
Shetram is one among the hundreds of sacred Shetram and this Shetram is known
as Brindaranya Shetram now it is known as Pudhu Vayal.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Vijayaraghava Perumal. Lord Vijayaraghava is housed in the
sanctum in seated posture with his Consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi by his sides
(Veetrirunda Thirukolam). He is in sitting in Bhoga asana Posture facing East.
He is having four hands, holding Shanku and Chakra in two hands. In Other two
hands, one is showing Abhayahastha and other one appears as if he is calling us
and telling come seek refuge in me. Vimanam is Vijayakoti Vimanam.
Periya
Thiruvadi (Garuda) and Siriya Thiruvadi (Anjaneyar) are found facing the
sanctum and in front of the Dhwaja Sthambam. There is a small space dedicated
to Vikhanasa Maharishi, the preceptor of the Vaikhanasa Agama inside the
sanctum. Mother is called as Kamalavalli Thayar. There is a separate shrine for
Kamalavalli Thayar. She is called Swatantra Lakshmi or Swarajya Lakshmi in her
Utsavar form. Goddess Vimanam is Kamalakruti Vimanam.
There is
a Shrine of Venugopala Swamy behind the sanctum inside the temple premises. He
is gracing the devotees along with Rukmini and Satyabhama from the shrine. He
is with four hands, Shanku and Chakra in two hands and with other two hands
holding his flute. Then, at his feet is a cow is prostrating. It looks as if it
is doing Saranagathi at lord's feet. Childless Couples come here and pray to
lord Venugopal and give milk as Naivedya and then they partake it and they are
blessed with Children.
There is a shrine for Andal in the Temple premises. There
is a mandapam called Kalyana Mandapam with full of beautiful sculptures. Theertham associated with
this Temple is Kamala Theertham and is situated exactly behind the Lord's
sanctum, again a very rare occurrence. Sthala Vriksham is Krishna Thulasi
plant. This is so because of the presence of Lord Venugopala Swamy Shrine.
Prayers
Women want
to get married pray to Andal of this Temple. Women who seek children and are
unable to beget them are known to get children by praying to Venugopala Swamy. Thayar is famous for
granting a favorable resolution of not only marital disputes but of all legal
disputes. She also confers mental health and peace to all Her devotees. Vijayaraghava
Perumal bestows on his devotees victory in all their undertakings. He ensures
that His devotees achieve and maintain excellent physical health. Devotees who
undertake vows to the Vijayaraghava Perumal temple at the Divya Desam of
Thiruputkuzhi, but are unable to fulfill them there can complete their vows at
Puduvayal.
Contact
Vijayaraghava
Perumal Temple,
Puduvayal
– 601 206
Thiruvallur
District,
Phone: +91 44 26182143
Connectivity
This
temple is located 650 meters from Puduvayal Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Kavaraippettai
Railway Station, 8 Kms from Ponneri, 9 Kms from Ponneri Railway Station, 13 Kms
from Cholavaram, 43 Kms from Thiruvallur, 35 Kms from Chennai and 48 Kms from
Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated in North of Chennai in Chennai -
Calcutta Highway. In olden days this was the route of Kashi – Rameshwaram known
as Raj Pattai (Raja Markham).
