Thiruninravur Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal

Thiruninravur (திருநின்றவூர்) is situated in Thiruvallur District and is about 35 kms Northwest of Chennai. On the road from Chennai to Thiruvallur, one has to take right after Thirumazhisai. From there Thiruninravur is about 4 kms. Thiruninravur can also be reached by Suburban trains from Chennai to Arakkonam, after Pattabiram.

This village has a beautiful temple for Lord Vishnu, called Bhakthavatsala Perumal, situated very near to Sri Hridayaaleeswarar temple for Lord Shiva. This temple is also called Srinivasa Kshethram and is among the Dhivya Dhesams of Lord Vishnu.

It is believed that Samudraraja (Lord Varuna), who is the father of Goddess Lakshmi worshipped Lord Vishnu here. It is also said that the Perumal here is always giving dharshan (ப்ரத்யக்ஷம்) to Lord Varuna. Thiruninravur is considered as the place of Goddess as she settled here first and then Lord came here to Her place. The rarity of this temple is that the Lord Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal is staying permanently at his in-law’s place (வீட்டோடு மாப்பிள்ளை). As Goddess settled here first, the place itself had got its name after her. In Thamizh, ‘Thiru’ means Sri Lakshmi, ‘Ninra’ means stood, ‘Vur’ means place.

The Goddess of this temple is ‘Ennai Petra Thaayaar’ (என்னைப்பெற்ற தாயார்), also called as Sri Sudhaa Valli.

According to legend, Thirumangai Aazhwaar had visited this temple and left to Thirukkadal Mallai (திருக்கடல் மல்லை - today’s Mahabalipuram)without singing a single Paasuram on the Lord. After he left, Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal gave Dharshan to him again at Thirukkadal Mallai. It is said that Thirumangai Aazhwaar had God’s dharshan from Mahabalipuram itself, after which he had sung 2 Paasurams on the Lord, admiring the beauty and similarities of the deities in Thirukkadal Mallai, Thiruninravur and Thirukkanna Mangai.

Later days, with the divine instruction of the Lord, a Pallava King had constructed this temple and arranged for Brahmotsavam etc.

The main deity Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal here gives dharshan in standing posture facing east. Other deities of the temple are Sri Ennai Petra Thaayaar, Sri Aandaal, Sri Chakkarathaazhwar and Sri Aadhiseshan. Paramapatha Vaasal is located on the Northern Praakaaram.

This beautiful temple looks very grand with huge praakaarams and compound walls. There is a stone Mandapam on the outer Praakaaram, meant for Urchavams, with beautiful carvings.

The temple has a nice pond nearby, called Varuna Pushkarani, which is the Theertham for this temple. A beautiful stone Mandapam in front of the sanctum has some wonderful carvings on the pillars.

There are beautiful carvings on the ceiling at the entrance of Rajagopuram also.

There are 2 stone inscriptions on the north east side of the temple, of which one dates back to 1917, where a lady from Chennai had donated her house to the temple, from which the temple shall raise funds to feed the pilgrims visiting the temple.

There is Sri Anjaneyar Shrine opposite the temple, facing west. The beautiful temple chariot is parked there adjacent to Sri Anjaneyar Shrine.

Here are few of the sculptures and carvings in the temple.

Thiruninravur is an excellent place blessed to have both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu taking abode.

Dhevadhaanam Sri Ranganathar

Dhevadhaanam is located close to Minjur near Chennai. It is a very small, undisturbed and unpolluted village where Sri Ranganathar temple is located amidst serene atmosphere.

This temple here is about 1000 years old. The main deity is Sri Ranganathar giving dharshan in a reclining posture.

According to the priest, this temple was originally built by a Chalukya King about 10 centuries back. The specialty here is the size of deity Sri Ranganathar is larger in size than Sri Rangam Sri Ranganathar.

The deity is about 18 ft in length and 5.5 feet in height. The rarity here is the deity is made using Salagraama Stones (rare stone available in Himalayas / Nepal). Salagraama stones are considered the most sacred in Hinduism.

Several such Salagraama stones have been pasted together to form this idol. All the accessories of Sri Ranganathar including his jewels and ornaments have been carved wonderfully making the whole Murthy look as if it is made of a single stone. The face, hands, fingers and especially the nostrils of the God are beautifully carved in such a way that one can’t take his eyes away from the Lord while standing in front of the sanctum. Abishegam is not performed to the Lord here and only Thailakkaappu is applied.

The Lord is seen resting on 5 headed Aadhisesha as His 3 layered bed.

Lord Brahma is seen emerged from God’s navel and sitting on His Lotus. God is seen with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi near his feet. Sage Thumburu and Sri Anjaneyar are seen praying the Lord.

Unusually, Sri Ranganathar is resting his head on a ‘Padi’ (படி) which is used to measure the grains. ‘Padi’ serves the Lord as a pillow on which his right hand is placed. It is said that the temple enjoyed huge acres of lands as its property those days and hence the Lord is having the ‘Padi’ as his pillow, which he will measure to feed the world.

Other deities of the temple are Garuda near Dwajasthambha, Ranganayaki, Aandaal and Chakkarathaazhwar.

According to elderly citizens of the village, they could recollect the temple festivals celebrated with pomp, with Devadasis displaying dance performances and grand procession of the Lord.

Though there is no mythology or archeological findings connected to this age old temple, the beauty and grandeur of Sri Ranganathar would make one to revisit again.

Pallikonda Sri Uthara Ranganathar

Pallikonda is a very small village located about 24 kms from Vellore on the Bangalore Highway. Situated on the banks of Palar river, it houses a very beautiful and one of the most ancient Sri Uthara Ranganathar Temple.

As Lord Ranganathar is in the Palli Konda (பள்ளி கொண்ட means reclining) posture, the place itself was called as Pallikondaan which later got shortened as Pallikonda. Here Sri Uthara Ranganathar gives Dharshan along with Sri Ranganayaki.

According to the Sthala History, there lived a king called Amba Raja who was ruling this part of the country called Thiruvedhimangalam (today’s Pallikonda). He has been highly victorious and was enjoying all the worldly pleasures as a king. Having fed up with materialistic life, he one day realized that the purpose of his birth is only to get the Dharshan of Sri Maha Vishnu.

He started worshipping Maha Vishnu for years together and was eagerly waiting to have his Dharshan. Years rolled by. But there was no sign of God appearing to him. He got frustrated and attempted suicide. While he was trying to commit suicide, a heavenly voice from the sky told him to be patient and to continue his prayers so that he will soon get the dharshan of God.

The king became happy and continued his worships.

During the same time a debate came up in the Lord Brahma’s court hall (Brahma Sabha). It was about, who is the greatest among Durga (for courage), Lakshmi (for wealth) and Saraswathi (for wisdom). After a long debate, Lord Brahma gave a conclusion that Lakshmi is the supreme.

Hearing this, Saraswathi got angry and walked away, leaving Brahma. Brahma tried convincing her and failed. Brahma went and prayed Lord Vishnu asking for a solution as he cannot live without Saraswathi. Lord Vishnu assured that he will try to bring down her anger.

Saraswathi took the form of a river named Vegavathi and started flowing through. Trying to stop her, Lord Vishnu lied in a reclining pose (Ranganathar) at Thiruvedhimangalam (Pallikonda). Knowing this, Saraswathi bypassed him adjacent to his feet and moved further.

Lord Vishnu again went to another place along her route and stayed again in a reclining posture. This time Saraswathi cleverly bypassed him again above his head and went on.

Lord Vishnu decided to stop her some how and went and rested in another place again in the same posture obstructing her way. This time Saraswathi had to face Lord Vishnu obstructing her and was not able to move further beyond Him, as he is the supreme. Saraswathi’s anger subsided and she went into the earth at this third place where Lord Ranganatha reclined.

After this event, as Amba Raja was worshipping eagerly to have His Dharshan, Lord Vishnu came back to Pallikonda and gave Dharshan to Amba Raja.

The king asked for a boon that the God should settle here and give Dharshan to everyone visiting this place. As the God settled here during his act of uniting Brahma and Saraswathi, the king prayed that He should grant boon for unmarried people and the separated couples visiting here.

Lord Ranganathar agreed to it and granted his wish. Even today, it is said that unmarried men or women who worship Lord Ranganathar here, get married soon. Also the couples, who have quarrels or separation in married life, get united upon worshipping Lord Ranganathar here.

The first place where Lord Ranganatha tried stopping Saraswathi who was flowing as river Vegavathi (today’s Palar) is today’s Pallikonda. Here Palar flows at the down side of the Lord’s feet.

The second place where he attempted to stop her is called Thiruppaarkadal now, near Kaverippaakkam on the Bangalore highway. Here there is a Lord Ranganathar temple where Palar passes on the head side of the lord.

The third place where he finally stopped the river is called Thiruvekka, which is in Kanchipuram. There’s another Lord Ranganathar temple here again.

In all the three places Lord Vishnu is seen in the reclined posture as Lord Ranganathar.

In Pallikonda Lord, Ranganathar gives Dharshan with Sri Ranganayaki on the banks of the river Vegavathi (today’s Palar). Also seen are Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

This temple is said to have built by Vijayanagara Kings during 5th Century. Other deities of the temple like Lord Rama, Garuda, etc., have been built at various stages by many kings who ruled here. But Lord Ranganathar is said to be the Aadhi Moolavar which was excavated from the banks of the river and built by Vijayanagara Kings and Sambuvarayars.

Situated on the river bank, in an ancient village with serene atmosphere, Sri Ranganathar temple stands tall, blessing many generations.

Festivals like Vaikunda Ekadasi are celebrated well here. Though so ancient and rare of its kind, this temple is in the state of neglect now.

A grand Kumbhabhishekam and renovated Rajagopuram are planned during early 2008 and this temple welcomes contributions from devotees who wish to be part of this noble cause.

The temple shall be contacted at :
Sri Uthara Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Pallikonda – 635 809.
Tel: 04171 – 240234 or 94433 09572.