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Veda Narayana Perumal Temple, Thottiyam, Trichy
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Veda Narayana Perumal |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thottiyam |
| District:: | Trichy |
| Address: | Vedanarayana Perumal Temple,Tirunarayanapuram, Balasamudram Via, Thottiyam Taluk,Trichy District – 621 203 |
| Phone | +91 99766 11898 / 98948 06131 |
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
11-day festival in Vaikasi including a 9-day chariot procession, 21-day Adyana Utsavam in Margazhi, Puratasi Navarathri, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January and Hanuman Jayanthi are the festivals celebrated in the temple. On the Panguni Uthiram day in March-April, Lord Vedanarayana Perumal visits the shrine of Mother-Goddess Vedavalli Thayar and graces a joint darshan to devotees.
Prayers
Those who have adverse marital aspects called Kalathra Dosha, worship Lord here along with Adisesha and his wife for remedy. As this is the sacred place where Lord Vishnu taught Lord Brahmma, devotees pray here for achieving excellence in their academic pursuit. Special pujas are performed on Tiruvonam star day and Ekadasi and new moon days. Those with weak Jupiter in their horoscopes causing delay in marriage, offer Tulsi garlands to Lord and light 27 ghee lamps in his shrine. This worship is done on Thursdays or on the birth star day of the person.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Mahabali built this Temple:
When the emperor Mahabali took his army towards Mysore for war, he took rest on the way on a sand dune. At that time, the Lord Perumal appeared in his dream and said that on that spot under the earth there was an idol of the Lord. The Lord instructed the king to unearth the idol and build a temple there. He also blessed the king and said that he would be victorious. After the king got up, he excavated the idol, installed it, built a temple and worshipped there. He established a village there and named it “Tirunarayanapuram”. He granted the lands and the village to the temple’s name and then went to Mysore for war and was very victorious.
Lord appeared as Shantha Swaroopa Moorthy to Prahaladha here:
Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha Avatar to save Prahaladha and to slaughter demon Hiranyakasipu. When Prahaladha requested to the Lord to give him Dharshan in his composed state, Perumal ordered him to come to Thiru Narayanapuram. Accordingly, the Lord appears as Shantha Swaroopa Moorthy and blesses the devotees who come to worship him here. Lord Vishnu also promised a place for Prahalad near his feet – another unique feature seen at this temple is a 3-year-old boy Prahaladha in a standing posture at the feet of the sleeping Lord.
Vedic Initiation to Brahmma:
Brahmma once turned arrogant as he was the only one who could ‘create’ things in this world. Wanting to teach him a lesson, Lord Vishnu created a unique idol that left Brahmma wondering about its creator. When asked, Lord Vishnu feigned ignorance saying that Brahmma was the only one bestowed with the rights of creation. While agreeing to this, Brahmma questioned the Lord as to who could have created this image and how this could have appeared without his knowledge and approval.
Lord Vishnu brought the truth before Brahmma and a message to the people at large saying that we should do what is expected of us. However, we should not become arrogant as a result of the exclusive/ special powers given to us. Realizing his folly, Brahmma requested Lord Narayana for the initiation of the Vedas. Lord Narayana is believed to have appeared before him here at Thiru Narayanapuram and undertaken the Vedic initiation.
As he initiated the Vedic lessons to Brahmma, the Lord is referred to here as ‘Veda Narayanan’. Having played the role of an Acharya and Brahmma having been a student/disciple of Lord Vishnu, this temple is said to be a ‘Guru’ and ‘Budhan’ Sthalam.
Other Names:
This place which is now called as “Thiru Narayanapuram” was known as ‘Chathur Vedhi Mangalam’, ‘Vedapuri’ and ‘Aadhi Rangam’ in the past.
Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram:
Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar came here with his wife and 6 children in the hope of finding Moksham. One night, the leaves from the palm tree at the temple caught fire. Shocked at seeing this, Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar immediately threw his 6 children towards the Lord as a cover for him and to protect him from the raging flames. Unfortunately, the Lord continued to burn. Araiyar then threw himself into the flames and hugged the Lord so the fire would not touch his favourite Lord. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and granted Moksham to the entire family of the Araiyar. Hence, this place came to be called Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram.
Success in Education:
Veda Narayana Perumal of Thiru Narayanapuram is said to help devotees in their education and learning. As Brahmma himself was initiated with Vedic Education, this is a special temple on the education front. Students/ children who visit this temple offering their sincere prayers and place their books at the feet of Veda Narayanan are believed to come out with flying colours in their education.
Sri Ramanuja in saffron:
When Sri Ramanuja visited the place, Lord advised him to have a dip in Cauvery and come back dressed in saffron. Ramanuja did accordingly. The Acharya comes in procession in saffron on Tiruvadhirai star day in the month of Chithirai, April-May. He is dressed in white on other days.
People worshipped Lord Vishnu here:
This temple which is praised as “Adhi Rangam” or “Mudhal Rangam” is the place where Brahma, Prahaladha, Sugreeva, Hanuman, Garuda, Araiyar, Cholas, etc. worshipped and got divine sanction.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
The Temple is located on the Northern banks of Cauvery on the Trichy – Namakkal – Salem Highway near Thottiyam. The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Thottiyam, 5 Kms from Thottiyam Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Kulithalai, 13 Kms from Thiru Engoi Malai, 18 Kms from Musiri, 52 Kms from Srirangam, 35 Kms from Karur and 60 Kms from Trichy.
By Road:
- Take the Trichy – Namakkal – Salem Bus. Get down at Thottiyam (about 10 Kms west of Musiri). Take an auto Rs. 75 – 100 to and fro from Thottiyam to temple.
- Take Trichy – Kulithalai bus (NH 67) or Chennai – Mangalore (6107 Exp). Get down at Kulithalai and take a bus across the new 2 Kms bridge across the Cauvery to Musiri bye pass. From there, take a bus to Thottiyam (buses to Namakkal/Salem).
- Take Local Bus No. 6A from Musiri to Tirunarayanapuram.
- There are 2 buses every day from Trichy to Tirunarayanapuram (9.00 am and 3.30 pm).
- The temple is about 4 kms from Thottiyam bus stand on the Kaatuputhur road via the Arasalur Arch.
Buses from Thottiyam are not conveniently available. Devotees can pick up autos.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Stations are located at Kulitalai (20 Kms), Sithalavai (18 Kms), Mayanoor (14 Kms), Karur (34 Kms) and Trichy (63 Kms).
By Air:
Nearest Airport is located at Trichy (65 Kms).
Contact Details
Vedanarayana Perumal Temple,
Tirunarayanapuram,
Balasamudram Via, Thottiyam Taluk,
Trichy District – 621 203
Phone: +91 4326 254338
Mobile: +91 99766 11898 / 98948 06131
Email: [email protected]