| Description: This celebrated Divyadesam is located in the town of Cuddalore near
Chidambaram, at a distance of 5km
west of the Tiruppadirippuliyur railway station. Tiruppadirippuliyur
is also home to the Shivastalam associated closely with Tirunavukkarasar. Deities:
The Moolavar here is Deivanayakan in a standing posture facing east; Taayaar here is known
as Hemambujavalli or Vaikunthanayaki. Utsavar here is known as Devanathan, or Moovaragiya
Oruvan - a manifestation of the trinity (Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva). The Suddhasatva
vimaanam above the sanctum has images of Vishnu facing east, Dakshinamurthy (Shiva) facing
south, Narasimha facing west and Bhrahma facing north. There is also a Vilva tree in the
temple complex. .
The temple on top of the adjoining Aushadagiri hill enshrining Hayagrivar
- the embodiment of knowledge and learning - is of very great significance.
This temple is also known for its close association with Desikacharyar, who spent close
to forty years in this town. It is beleived that Vedanta Desikacharyar meditated up on
Garuda on the Aushadagiri and obtained the image from Hayagreeva from him.
This shrine has also been visited by Manavaala Maamuni.
Stone inscriptions in the temple refer to the deity as 'Ninraruliya Mahavishnu' and
'Ezhisai naada perumaan'.
The Tiruvahindrapuram temple has a 5 tiered rajagopuram and 3 prakarams. There are
shrines to Ganesha, Rama, Rajagopala, Aandaal and Desikacharyar.
Legend has it that AdiSeshan, the serpent mount of Vishnu created this
shrine, hence the name Tiruvahindrapuram. Garudan is said to have created the Virajaa
Theertham (Garuda Nadi) while Adi Seshan is said to have created the Sesha Theertham
(Paatala Gangai). Legend also has it that Vishnu was worshipped by Markandeya and
Bhudevi here as in Uppiliappan Koyil.
Festivals: The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of
Chittirai. Maasi Magam is another of the festivals celebrated here. A gesture of offering
salt, pepper and milk are made in the Sesha theertham well is believed
to cure several ailments.
Links: The
Tiruvahindrapuram Temple page at the Srivaishnava website. |
