Chettippunyam Sri Varadharaja Perumal

Chettippunyam village is located about 30 kms from Tambaram on west of GST Road, after Singaperumal Koil.

Though the main deity of this temple is Sri Varadharaja Perumal, many people throng here to worship Sri Yoga Hayagreevar. One can see that the temple is always filled with school and college students coming here to worship Sri Yoga Hayagreevar, as He is the believed as the God for education, knowledge and wisdom.

It is said that, originally this temple had Sri Varadharaja Perumal only. Later during 1848, the idols of Sri Devanaadha Perumal and Sri Yoga Hayagreevar have been brought here from Thiruvaheendrapuram (near Cuddalore) to safe guard them from invaders.

Now, the main deity here is Sri Varadharaja Perumal and Goddess Sri Hemambuja Nayagi. The Urchavar of this temple is Sri Devanaadha Perumal. Sri Devanaadha Perumal is seen here with Prayoga Chakra on His right hand, which is a rare sight.

Usually Hayagreevar is seen along with Sri Lakshmi in many places. But here unusually, He is seen meditating in Yogic posture with his legs folded. Many students visit this temple praying for their good scores in examinations. One can see students coming here with their pens, pencils, hall tickets etc. keep them at the Lord’s feet before taking their exams.

Many of these students write their exam roll numbers and wishes to perform well all along the walls. Though the temple administration has announced on the walls, not to scribble on them, no one seems to respect that. Even such lines like “I want to get engineering seat” are seen in many places.

Dwajasthambha is made of stone here on which Sri Garuda is seen facing the Lord, towards the sanctum.

An Azhinjal tree is present at the northern side of the temple, where people tie a thread or a piece of cloth and pray the Lord for marriage, children and also to fare well in examinations.

A beautiful temple, especially granting wishes for students.

Singaperumal Koil Sri Ugra Narasimhar

Singaperumal Koil is about 25 kms from Tambaram and the temple is just 100 meters off the GST Road.

The village itself is named after the deity of this temple. The main deity here is Lord Narasimhar. This is a beautiful rock cut temple. The temple and even the deity is carved out of a small hillock. Here the Lord is known as Sri Paatalaadri Narasimhar. In Sanskrit Paatalaadri means a reddish hill. The original name of this place itself is Paatalaadripuram.

According to temple sources, this temple has been referred in Brahmaanda Puraanam. Lord Vishnu took the form (Avataar) of Sri Narasimha and killed the demon king Hiranyakasipu. At the time of Narasimha Avataar, this place was surrounded by dense forests. A sage called ‘Jaapaali’ was performing Thapas, praying Lord Vishnu. As wished by him, the Lord gave dharshan to him in the form of Ugra (fierce) Narasimhar.

The main sanctum itself is a rock cut shrine on which the deity too is carved out of the hill itself. So, whoever wants to circumambulate around the temple has to actually go around the small hillock as Giri Pradhakshinam. Hence, Giri Pradhakshinam is very popular here.

There are Bali Peetams seen at certain directions, while going around the temple.

The main deity is seen here as Ugra (fierce) murthy, holding Paanchajanya (conch) and Sudharsana Chakra, showing Abhaya Hastha in one of His hands. Sri Narasimha Swamy here has 3 eyes and the third eye is shown by the priest while performing Haarathi.

The Goddess here is Sri Ahobila Valli Thaayaar. There is a separate shrine for Lord Vishnu too.

The Urchavar here is called Sri Prahalaadha Varadhar.

While walking around the temple, there is an Azhinjal tree in this temple, which is considered most sacred. It is said that this tree has mentions in the ‘Naachiyaar Thirumozhi’ composed by Sri Aandaal. People praying for marriage or children tie a small piece of thread from their clothes on the branches of this tree. By doing this with a wish, it is believed that their wishes are granted.

Sri Anjaneyar (Hanuman) is seen on the pillar adjacent to Dwajasthambha, where many people light Ghee lamps for the God.

While entering into the street of this temple, there are 4 pillars welcoming us, which look too ancient having beautiful sculptures.

The Theertham for this temple is called Suddha Pushkarani and Sthala Viruksham is Paarijaatham.

Srivilliputhur Aandal & Sri Vadabadrasayee

Centuries back, there lived a devotee of Lord Vishnu called Vishnu Chithar. Also called Periyazhwar, he has been living in Sri Villiputhur near the temple of Vadabadrasayee Perumal offering prayers to the Lord everyday sincerely.

One day Periyazhwar found a baby girl in his Thulasi Garden. As per mythology she was born in Kali Yuga 98, in the month of Aadi (again believed to be inauspicious) in Puram Star on Tuesday (note the day) in Sri Villiputhur during Pandya Dynasty. According to the above belief her date of birth is 8th June 3004 B.C. Anyhow many modern historians predict that she lived during 8th Century AD. Whatever it is, she lived atleast 1300 years back or more.

Periyazhwar who was doing poojas to “Sri Vadabadhrasayee” (Perumal) temple at Srivilliputhur, found her in his garden and brought her up. He named her “Kodhai” and she grew up as an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu there. Her Bhakthi, transformed into love towards God and she wanted to marry Him.

Periyazhwar used to pick Thulasi leaves from his garden, weave them as garland, keep it in a basket carefully to offer it to the Lord. One day, out of innocence, Kodhai took the garland, adorned herself with it to see the mirror whether she would be a suitable bride to the lord. Periyazhwar saw this act of Kodhai and got furious with her and weaved another fresh garland and offered to the God. To his surprise, the garland fell down from the God's shoulders. He tried many times but didn't succeed. He got worried and prayed the God. He heard a voice saying “Why didn’t you offer me the garland woven by Kodhai? I am eager to adorn the garland touched and felt by my devotee, Kodhai. She is not a mere mortal. She is born for me”

Periyazhwar (also called Vishnuchithar), then offerred the garland which was woven by Kodhai and God accepted his offering. Thereafter he garlanded the Lord everyday, after trying it first with Kodhai.

Even today, its in practice that the garland is offerred first to the Aandal at Sri Villiputhur and the same is removed and sent to Thirupathi to adorn the Lord during Brahmotsavam. Also similar practice is followed for Kallazhagar festival at Madurai, where Kallazhagar wears the garland which is already worn by Aandal at Sri Villiputhur.

Also in Sri Villiputhur temple, Aandal is garlanded first and the same garland is offered to the Lord.

When Kodhai attained the age for getting married, she was too fascinated with Lord Ranganathar of Sri Rangam as she has heard about Him from her father.

Periyazhwar meditated to God without knowing what to do. God appeared in his dreams and said not to hesitate to get his daughter married to him. God also made him realize that Kodhai was none but Bhudevi herself.

Kodhai (Aandal) was carried in a palanquin to Sri Rangam and she entered the inner shrine of Sri Ranganathar and joined as the eternal light with the Lord.

Aandal has given the world, 2 great masterpieces of literary works; Thiruppaavai and Naachiyar Thirumozhi, which are even sung today with utmost devotion in temples and homes during the month of Maargazhi.

Thiruppaavai, starts with the lines “Maargazhi Thingal” (மார்கழித்திங்கள்), celebrating the dawns of Maargazhi with prayers to Lord Vishnu.

The temple tower was built in 8th Century and is one of the largest in the country. The temple is located in Virudhunagar District of Tamilnadu. And this tower stands the symbol of Government of Tamilnadu.