- Vishnu
Sri Laxmi Narayanar Temple
- Varagur,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Lord Sri Laxmi Narayanar (Sri Venkatesa Perumal) is the prime deity in this Vishnu temple considered to be over five centuries old. The Lord has his consort, Bhoomi Devi (Sridevi) in his left thigh, in the sanctum sanctorum of this temple. This statue is considered one of the prime examples of the Chola architecture of that period.
About the deity
Lord Sri Laxmi Narayana graces in three forms – Varaha, Kannan-Krishna and also as Laxmi Narayana.
About The Temple
Lord Laxmi Narayana, sitting under the Padma Vimana graces with Sri MahaLaxmi on His lap. Thirumanjanam is performed every day. The procession deity Sri Venkatesa Perumal accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi, is very popular among the devotees. For a difference, this is known as Sri Laxmi Narayanar Perumal Temple. A powder made of herbs such as Thulsi, cardamom, edible camphor (pachai karpooram), clove etc. is offered as Prasad to devotees. As Lord Vishnu gave His darshan to Sri Narayana Theerthar as Krishna, Gokhulastami-Krishna Jayanthi is devotionally celebrated in the temple. There is no special idol for Child Krishna as such. Lord Laxmi Narayanar Himself is considered as the Child and worshipped.
They dress the Lord as Yasodha, mother of Krishna. This is followed by a discourse on Krishnavatara. Famous Tamil Nadu preparations as Murukku, Seedai, Thattai – all salted preparations – are offered as naivedhyam (offering). Next morning, the Lord graces from the hall called Kadungal Mandabam. He returns to the temple as crawling Krishna with a butter bowl. People follow the Lord in the streets doing the angaprathakshinam. Next day is the Lord’s wedding with Rukmini. There are no sub-deities in the temple.
Legend and Stories
A devotee from Andhra, Narayana Theerthar was suffering from acute stomach pain. He went on a pilgrimage to all Vishnu temples for a cure. During such a time, he was relaxing in a Vinayaga temple in this place. In his dream, an old man appeared and asked him to follow any living being he sees on opening the eyes in the morning. Theerthar saw a white swine while opening his eyes and followed it as directed. It entered this temple and disappeared. Narayana Theerthar understood that the swine was none other than Varaha avatar. He began singing Keerthanas in praise of the Lord. The Lord graced him His darshan with Bama and Rukmini.
Festival
Sri Krishna Jayanthi in August September is an important festival of the temple.
Accessibility
Airport
The nearest airport to Sri Laxmi Narayanar Temple is Trichy airport.
Railways
The nearest railway station to Sri Laxmi Narayanar Temple is Thanjavur Railway Station.
Road
The devotee has to reach Thirukandiyur 11 km from Thanjavur and then proceed to Thirukattupalli 13 km from this place to reach Varahur 2 km from here. Auto facility is available.
Temple Address
Sri Laxmi Narayanar Temple,
Eswarankoilpathu, Varagur -613 101,
Thanjavur district.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Blessings to have children
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 05.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 04.30 p.m. to 08.15 p.m.