Sunday, February 4, 2018

Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai, Trichy

Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai, Trichy
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Thiruvellarai, a village in the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. This temple is fourth among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy destinations for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Thiruvellarai is considered to have preceded the prime center of Vaishnavism, Srirangam.






The temple is also called Adhivellarai (primary white stone), Uthama Kshetram (best destination) and Hita Kshetram (beneficial destination). Presiding Deity is called as Pundarikakshan Perumal / Senthamarai Kannan. Mother is called as Shenbagavalli / Pankajavalli / Periya Pirattiyaar Lakshmi Devi. The Temple is perched on top of a small white-stoned hillock. ‘Vellarai’ in Tamil means ‘white stone’ and the temple is also known as Swethagiri (Sanskrit: Swetha-white; Giri-hill).






The temple complex covers an area of 2.62 ha (6.5 acres), while the tank covers an area of 0.1256 ha (0.310 acres). It is believed that this temple was raised by the Pallava king during later part of 8th century A.D. At a later date medieval Cholas, later Pandyas, Vijayanagara kingdom and Nayakas of Madurai have greater contribution for the expansion of the temple structures. This Temple is one of the three Divya Desams with first rights to Thaayar. Thiruvellarai is also birth place of Uyyakondan and Engal Azhvaar.






Only a handful of temples have been dedicated to Lord Varaha and this one is called Swetha Varaha Kshetram. There are two cave temples in the rocks, of which one belongs to Pallava Malla Nandivarman II’s reign and the other to the Chola King Rajaraja I’s reign. There is another cave temple carved out of a rock known as Swethagiri where Lord Siva, known as `Vada Jambunathar’, and Vishnu as Pundarikaksha are enshrined. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.






Legends
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History
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The Temple
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Swastik Well
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Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Pooja Timings
·        Ushathkala Pooja – 7 a.m.
·        Kalasanthi Pooja – 8:00 a.m.
·        Uchikala Pooja – 12:00 p.m.
·        Sayarakshai Pooja – 6:00 p.m.
·        Irandamkalam Pooja – 7:00 p.m.
·        Ardha Jama Pooja – 10:00 p.m.
Festivals
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Religious Significance
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Literary Mention
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Prayers
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Contact
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple,
Thiruvellarai – 621 009,
Manachanallur Taluk,
Trichy District
Phone: +91 431 256 2243
Mobile: +91 93451 18817 / 94431 83618 / 98941 42111
Connectivity
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