- Vishnu
Sri Soumya Damodara Perumal Temple
- Villivakkam,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
The deity of God Vishnu is worshipped at the holy Sri Soumya Damodara Perumal Temple which is located at Villivakkam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples and dates back to 650 years. The deity of Goddess Amirthvalli is enshrined in the temple and the devotees believe that God fulfils all their wishes. The deities of God Krishna, God Rama, God Andal, God Anjaneya and God Azhwars are also enshrined in the temple.
About the Temple
The deity of Goddess Amirthavalli is enshrined in the temple and is known to have Goddess Mahalakshmi’s attributes. The name Amirthavalli refers to the nectar. God appears in the form of Mohini in the temple as he transformed himself to teach a lesson to a few sages living in Tharukavana. The dressing called Alankara is offered to the Goddess during the fourth day of the holy Thai month that is observed in the month of January or February. The deity of the Goddess can be seen in the garden of the temple.
The incarnation festival is celebrated in the temple during the month of April or May. Another festival of Gajendra Moksha is celebrated in the temple during the full moon day observed in the Aadi month. The festival of Pongal is also celebrated in the temple. The deity of God Vishnu depicts him sitting on his vehicle-Garuda Vahana. On some festivals, God Vishnu appears in the temple as Raja Mannar along with Goddess Sri Andal. Not only this, the birth star festival is also celebrated on grand scale for 3 days in the temple. The festivals for Nammalwar, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Desika, Tirumangai Aalwar and Perialwar are celebrated continuously for 10 days each year.
Legend and Stories
As per the legend, when God Krishna was a child, he was very mischievous and no matter what his mother Yasodha tried, she couldn’t discipline him. Once she tried to bind him with a rope but God Krishna moved between the trees in such a way that he broke free of them. The scar created by the rope stayed on his waist and is considered a symbol of a mother’s love. Through this, it can be said that love can only bind God Krishna. It is known as Soumya Damodara. Soumya refers to the happiness in the expressions of God and Damodara refers to the scar on God’s belly.
Festivals
The festivals of Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam, Gokhulastami, Navarathri and Masi Magam float festival are celebrated with great joy at the temple. Apart from this, Panguni Uthiram, the wedding festival is celebrated in the temple.
How to reach Sri Soumya Damodara Perumal Temple
Airport
The Chennai Airport is nearest to the temple.
Railways
The Chennai Egmore Railway Station is nearest to the temple.
Road
Frequent bus and taxi service is available to reach the temple. The devotees can take a bus to Villivakkam from Chennai Egmore and it is 8kms.
Temple Address
Sri Soumya Damodara Perumal Temple,
Villivakkam, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To pray for offspring
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 all days of the week from 6am to 11:30am in the morning and from 5pm to 9pm in the evening.