- Vishnu
Sri Varadaraja Perumal (Velangattu Perumal) Temple
- Periakulam,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Sri Varadaraja Perumal (Velangattu Perumal) Temple is located at Periakulam, Theni, Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
About The Temple
This is a very beautiful sculpture, representing the Pandya period architecture. Sri Vinayaka is depicted in one pillar and others in other pillars. Mother Perianayaki and Sri Anjaneya grace from separate shrines south of Sri Varadarajaperumal. There are shrines for Navagrahas (9 planets), Senai Mudalvar, Tumbikkai Alwar, Udayavar – Sri Ramanuja, Nammalwar, Nagaraja, Dwarapalakas in the corridor – prakara. Perumal graces in a standing form.
The Vimana (tower) above the sanctum sanctorum is called Ananda Vimanam. Lord Vinayaka graces in the temple with the name Selva Siddhi Vinayaka. Venpongal (spicy rice pudding prepared with cashews, ginger, ghee etc.) is offered as nivedhana to the Lord. Agriculture yields are high if the farmers sow paddy and other seeds donated in the temple, according to old men of the place.
About The Deity
Seven feet tall presiding deity Lord Varadarajaperumal graces with all the aspects of the Lord of Tirupati on the southern bank of River Varaha here in a standing form. Sri Veera Anjaneya graces from the north of the presiding deity facing south with legs siding the east in a standing form, with his right hand up and holding a bouquet in the left hand.
Legend and Stories
When monsoon failed resulting in famine in the north, people there migrated to Periakulam and settled on the banks of Varaha River. They prayed to the Lord to protect them from famine in future. They installed the Lord under a banyan tree and worshipped Him. Later, kings built the temple for Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and a shrine especially for Mother-Goddess Periyanayaki, continuing the pujas, according to hearsay stories.
Festivals
Two pujas are performed each day in the temple. Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Purattasi Utsav and Navarathri in September-October, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Hanuman Jayanthi, Thai Poosa Pavitra Utsav and Kanu Pongal in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Significance
All needs (righteous) of the devotee are granted by the Lord such as wedding, child, family prosperity and success in all endeavours, women blessed with long Mangal Sutra grace, freedom from fear and longevity.
Thanks Giving
Devotees perform special abisheks to the Lord to realize their aims. Special archanas are performed to Sri Anjaneya for 48 days with white flower garlands, offering butter and a garland of Vadas (a popular dish of Tamilnadu). Women perform kumkum archana to Mother for long Mangal sutra benefits.
There is a light post in front of the sanctum sanctorum. New born children are placed near this post offering fruits as nivedhana to the Lord to bless the child with various benefits, it is said. Infant devotees are seen in more numbers in the temple.
How To Reach Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Periyakulam.
Airport
The Nearest Airport is Madurai Airport.
Railways
The Nearest Railway Station is Madurai Railway Station.
Road
Periakulam is 80 km far from Madurai, 60 km from Dindigul and 16 km from Theni. The temple is on the northern bank of the river.
Temple Address
Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Perumal Kovil St, Thenkarai, Periyakulam,
Theni district, Tamil Nadu.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Seeking all kinds of boons like wedding
- Children
- Wealth and prosperity
- Women pray for longevity of their mangal sutras
- Success in all ventures
- Relief from fear
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 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.