Veeraraghava Swamy Perumal Temple, Thiruvallur

Introduction

Veeraraghava Swamy Temple is a famous place of worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located in the Thiruvallur town, near Chennai city in Tamil Nadu. Here, the Lord is worshipped as Veeraraghava Perumal, and his consort, as Goddess Kanakavalli Thayaar. This is a Divya Desam, regarded as a particularly sacred shrine of Vishnu; for, this has been glorified in the hymns of the Azhwar saints that form part of the Divyaprabhandham compositions. The Perumal is said to have appeared here for the sake of sage Salihotra and also for marrying Goddess Lakshmi. The Lord is believed to cure illnesses and hence is often referred to as Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy.

Temple Legends

According to the legend Markandeya Purana, sage Salihotra, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, lived in this place. He used to grind rice flour, give half of it in charity to the needy, and use the balance for his consumption. Impressed with his devotion, Vishnu came in person in the disguise of a stranger and asked for food. The sage first provided him food with the flour meant for charity, and when the guest said he is still hungry, he gave him even the portion kept for his own consumption. Then the guest asked for a place to rest, and the sage offered his hermitage readily to him. The stranger stretched himself there itself, and revealed his true identity as none other than Vishnu himself, and blessed the selfless devotee. As the guest is said to have asked the sage ‘Evvul,’ in Tamil, that is, ‘where to rest,’ the place itself came to be known as ‘Thiru Evvul Oor,’ and this later became Thiruvallur.

As per another story, Vishnu manifested here and married Lakshmi, who was born as Vasumati, the daughter of king Dilipa of Dharmasenapura.

As per yet another legend, Lord Shiva had to incur Brahmahatti Dosha, for causing the death of Daksha, the son of Brahma and his father-in-law. Shiva is said to have cleansed himself in the temple tank, prayed to the Lord here, and got relieved of the affliction, by this Lord’s grace. Shiva is present as Theertheswarar in this place.

The History and Architecture of Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Swamy Temple

This ancient temple was said to have been constructed initially by the Pallavas in the 8th century CE, with later additions and contributions by the Cholas and Nayak kings. This large temple with all its shrines is surrounded by a granite compound wall and has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. Veeraraghava Swamy is in Bhujanga Sayanam, reclining on the serpent Adisesha couch in the sanctum sanctorum. He is seen blessing sage Salihotra with his right hand and holds the Gnyana Mudra in his left, preaching to Brahma. The roof above the sanctum is Vijayakoti Vimanam, symbolizing the Lord’s victory over the demons, Madhu and Kaidapa. His consort Vasumati, more popularly known as Kanakavalli Thayar, is in an adjacent shrine. There are also separate shrines for Lakshmi Narasimha, Ranganatha, Gajalakshmi, Gopalan, Chakrathazhwar, Andal, Hanuman, the Azhwars and Acharyas like Ramanuja and Desika. Lord Ganesha is also housed in this temple. The sacred tank Hritayathabhanasini is outside the temple.

Temple Festivals

The 2 Brahmotsavams of Chittirai (April-May) and Thai (January-February) are grand celebrations drawing thousands of devout to the temple. Vaikunta Ekadasi of Margazhi (December-January), the Saturdays of Purattasi (September-October), and the float festival are also observed with piety and enthusiasm.

Benefits of worshipping Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Swamy

The Lord is hailed as Vaidhya Veeraraghavan Swamy. He is thus regarded as a physician who cures diseases. Especially those suffering from fever, stomach pain, and problems in hands and legs, etc. visit the temple and pray to him for 3 consecutive Amavasyas, the New Moon days, for relief from their ailments. Hritayathabhanasini, the temple tank, too, is believed to possess medicinal properties that can provide a cure for certain diseases. People also seek divine blessings here, for early marriage, progeny, health, and prosperity.