Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, Chennai

Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, Chennai

Architecture

Prayers

Those who suffer hurdles in getting married worship Mother by offering a mixture of milk, sugar-candy and saffron.  Such an offering would bless them with offspring’s is the belief.

Legend / Local stories

Lord Vishnu married Mahalakshmi here:

Sage Bhrigu to test Lord Vishnu’s composure kicked the Lord on his chest. Mahalakshmi, angered by this, left the Lord. To find out a solution for this grave mistake, Sage Bhrigu did tapasya praying to have Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Mahalakshmi manifested as a kid in the Theertham here. Since Lakshmi came out of the Milk Ocean that was churned to get ‘Amutham’ (nectar), the sage named her ‘Amirthavalli’ and brought her up. When she attained marriageable age, he requested Lord Vishnu to marry her. The Lord came here and married her and the Divine couple stayed here as requested by sage Bhrigu. Thus, he attained the name Kalyana Perumal.

Birthplace of Peyazhwar:

The Temple is believed to be the birthplace of Peyazhwar, one of the first three of the twelve Azhwar saints of the 6th-9th century AD. Reference to this is found in the Brahmanda Puranam in the section relating to Mayurapuri Mahatmiyam. The legendary Azhwar was believed to have come to earth from the 60 ft (18 m) well called Manikairavam to the south-east of the temple, which exists to this day in Arundale Street, though in a neglected condition. The Aalvaar has a separate sanctum in this temple.  10 days’ festival is conducted close to Aippasi Sadayam day.

Sage Bhrigu had set up a hermitage here:

According to Mayurapuri Mahatmiyam in the Brahmanda Puranam, when Sage Vyasa requested the Lord to show him the holiest of places where he could do penance, he pointed out to Madhavapuram (Mylapore) where Sage Bhrigu had earlier set up a hermitage and did penance.

Santhaana Pushkarini:

Amirthavalli Thaayar was born as a baby in the Pushkarini here on a Maasi Magam day.  Hence, the Pushkarini is called “Santhaana Pushkarini”.  It is believed that on the day she was born all the sacred waters united here.  Based on this a festival is conducted on the Maasi Magam day.  On that day alone, Thaayar along with the Lord comes to the Theertha Kulam and graces us. The belief is that by taking bath at the Theertham and worshipping Thaayar, all our sins will be assuaged and we will be blessed.

Thirukkovilur Vaibhavam:

At Thirukkovilur Lord Vishnu made the three Aalvaars – Poigai, Putam and Peyalvar come together and himself revealed to them. Based on this, during the festival the Tirukoyilur Vaibhavam when the three Aalvaars appear together and on the tenth day the celebration of the Aalvaar visiting his birthplace, the Well are performed. In this holy place, Thirumalisai Aalvaar as a disciple to Peyalvar had his spiritual teachings from him. This episode is celebrated on the fourth day of the festival.

Madhavapuram:

It is believed that Lord Vishnu came here from his abode in Vaikuntam as Madhava Perumal to marry Amruthavalli Thaayar. Hence, this place came to be called Madhavapuram.

Prarthana Sthalam:

Santhana Pushkarani, which is now found to the South of the temple was the sacred tank of Sage Bhrigu, who lived in the ashram here. The age-old belief, as referred to in Mayurapuri Mahatmiyam, is that couples who bathe here on the full moon day in the Tamil calendar month of Maasi (mid Feb-mid March) and who offer their prayers to Madhava Perumal and Amruthavalli Thaayar will be immediately blessed with children. This is also a Prarthana Sthalam for unmarried people. Offering prayers to Lord Madhava Perumal who is seen in Kalyana Kolam is said to help one find his or her match immediately.

Best place for liberation from Kali Dosham:

Lord Vishnu directed Veda Vyasa here as the best place for liberation from Kali Dosham in this Kali Yugam.

Festivals

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 7:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) & deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Madhava Perumal and his consort Amirthavalli. During the worship, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast.

There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The Theppam or float festival of Madhava Perumal Temple will be held for three days. On the first day, Madhava Perumal and Amirthavalli Thaayar will be taken around the tank. Kothandaramar will be taken around on the second day and Peyalvar on the final day. The sacred tank, also called the Santhana Pushkarini, with an area of 117×100 ft can accommodate only a small float that can carry not more than 10 people. So, only priests were allowed to enter the float. During Maasi Magam, the water from all sacred rivers of India is believed to mingle with the water of the tank of this temple. Taking a dip here on this day is considered holy.

The festival is one of the major festivals of the temple, which was not celebrated for a decade before 2011. It is believed that all the rivers converge in the tank during the auspicious day. The annual festival, Brahmotsavam, of the temple is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March – April). In the Tamil calendar month of Aadi, Lord Madhava Perumal is seen in a sleeping posture on the lap of Andal- a special event at this temple.

Special poojas are conducted during all the nine nights of Navarathri in the month of Puratasi (mid-September to mid-October) for Mother. On the tenth day of Navarathri i.e. during Vijayadasami, Lord Perumal is carried in a procession to the main entrance. There after special poojas, the Utsav of firing bow and arrow towards the Vanni tree takes place. The blessed bow and arrow from the hands of Lord Perumal is taken and passed on to a member of the Vedhavyasapaatar Community which in is then passed on to the Locality’s Gowder who after all the necessary pooja will start firing the arrow towards the Vanni tree. After all the ceremonies, Lord Perumal is taken in a procession into the temple from where he provides vision to his devotees.

Odd numbered Saturdays of Puratasi brings prosperity. Therefore, special worships are held on all five Saturdays of the month of Puratasi signifying the austerity of the days. If the month has four Saturdays only, the last Saturday of the month of Aavani or the First Saturday of the month of Aippasi is considered as the 5th Saturday. These days brings prosperity and are treated as special occasions for the devotees who undergo a fast.

The month of Margazhi (December – January) sees a flurry of activities dedicated to Lord Perumal. Every morning during all the ten days of the Vaikunda Ekadasi Lord Perumal is taken on a procession around the temple with verses from Alvar recited invoking his blessings. On the 10^th day the Lord appears along with Nachiyar in front of the Devotees. On the eve of Vaikunda Ekadasi Lord Perumal raises up to the golden gates of heaven and from there provides a heavenly vision to his devotees.

The Temple Car Festival is celebrated at the beginning of the birth of the star sign of Lord Perumal. The star sign of Perumal of the temple is Aastha. The signs Aastha and Rohini have similar facets. Therefore, at the beginning of the Star Sign Rohini the Car festival is commenced and its ends during the birth of the star sign Aastha. The festival is commenced with hoisting the Holy Flag on the first day followed by the Holy Car processions on subsequent days. Shimmavaganam, Anumandha Vaganam, Karuda Sevai, Thiru Kalyana Pushpa Vimana Utsav are the Holy Cars which are taken in a procession for four subsequent days after the Holy Flag Hoisting.

Tamil New Year, Sri Rama Navami & Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi during Chithirai Month, Nammalvar Thiru Natchatram, Narasimha Jayanthi and Pattar Thiru Natchatram during Vaikasi Month, Chakkarathalwar Thiru Natchatram during Aani Month, Thakshinaayanapunya Kaalam and Andal Thiruvaadipooram during Aadi Month, Senai Mudalvar Thiru Natchatram, Manavaala Mamunigal Thiru Natchatram and Deepavali during Aipasi Month, Thirumangai Alvar Thiru Natchatram and Thiru Karthigai Deepam during Karthigai Month, Pagal Pathu and Ra Pathu during Margazhi Month, Pongal and Kurathaalvar Thiru Natchatram during Thai Month and Ranga Naachiyaar Panguni Uthram in Panguni Month are the other festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Under the control of the HR and CE Department, it is well maintained. Festivals are held in almost every Tamil month, except Ani and Purattasi.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

Madhava Perumal Temple is located in the Madhava Perumal Koil Street, Mylapore, Chennai. From the Mylapore Tank bus stop, take the Kutchery road, then turn left to Mundakkanni Amman Koil Street. After passing by the Mundakkanni Amman temple, turn right to Madhava Perumal Koil Street. This temple is located very close to Mundakanniamman Temple of Mylapore. The entrance arch of this temple can easily be located nearer to Sanskrit college, Royapettah High Road. The Temple can be reached from Luz junction or from Sanskrit College bus stand.

The Temple is located at about 850 meters from Mylapore Bus Stop, 650 meters from Sanskrit College Bus Stop, 550 meters from Kutchery Road Bus Stop, 650 meters from Valluvar Silai Bus Stop, 400 meters from Mundaka Kanni Amman Koil Railway Station and 700 meters from Mylapore Railway Station. Mylapore is located a few kilometers to the south of the British-built Chennai city. It lies between Triplicane and Teynampet in the west then across to the coast in the east. It is bounded by Royapettah to the north.

Its southern frontier corresponds roughly with that of the River Adyar. It extends for around 4 km from north to south and 2 km from east to west. Mylapore is in the heart of Chennai city and is linked with local trains and bus facilities. Mylapore is located at about 5 Kms from Triplicane, 3 Kms from Teynampet, 2.5 Kms from Royapettah, 6 Kms from Adyar, 6 Kms from T Nagar, 3 Kms from Marina Beach, 3 Kms from Santhome, 3 Kms from Alwarpet, 5 Kms from Nungambakkam and 7 Kms from Kodambakkam.

By Road:

Mylapore is connected to other parts of the city by MTC buses, with connections including Chennai Central, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Broadway. Mylapore is located at about 10 Kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.

List of MTC bus routes covers through in and out of Mylapore;

By Train:

Thirumayilai Railway Station, on the Mass Rapid Transit System network, connects Mylapore to Chennai Beach to the north and Velachery on the south. Mylapore is located at about 9 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 6 Kms from Egmore Railway Station.

By Air:

Nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport located at about 17 Kms from Mylapore.

Contact Details

Madhava Perumal Temple
Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004
Phone: +91 44 24985112 / 2466 2039
Mobile: +91 94440 18239 / 90421 76949
Email: [email protected]