Vijayaraghava Perumal temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Ssriram mt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu . The temple located in a village called Thiruputkuzhi which is about 11KMs west of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu state, India. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Vijayaraghava Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Maragathavalli Thayar.

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple Legend

The legend is associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana.  The eagle bird, Jatayu was almost killed by the demon king Ravana, while Ravana abducted Sita. Meanwhile Lord Rama who is the avatar of Vishnu, was searching for his wife Sita. While searching, he and his brother Lakshmana found Jatayu seriously wounded in the forest. Jatayu informed them about the incident before breathing his last. Lord Rama (Vijayaraghava Perumal )performed the last rites of Jataya at this place. The water body where Jatayu fell is called Jatayu Theertham. The place is called Thiruputkuzhi (Tiru-Pul- kuzhi), means Tiru (in Tamil) is an honorific prefix, Jatayu belongs to a separate family of eagle called Pul and was buried in a pit (Tamil kuzhi).

Temple Tank, Vijayaraghava Perumal temple
Ssriram mt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple Architecture

Though the temple has stone inscriptions from the Pandya king and from the Chola period, but it is believed that the temple have been built by the Pandya kings during the 13th century. Later the temple got contributions at different times from Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks.  The temple surrounded by a granite wall, contains a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Vijayaraghava sported with four hands. He is seen in a posture holding the bird Jatayu and performing the last rites. There is a separate temple for Thayar in the form of Margathavalli Thayar and a sannidhi for Sri Ramanuja.

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Ssriram mt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vijayaraghava Perumal temple Festival

The major festivals celebrated in the temple are

  • Brahmotsavam festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi (February – March)
  • The Float festival in Thai (January – February)
  • Pavitrotsavam in Avani (August- September)
  • Tirukarthikai in November-December
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January)

Srisukta Homam, a religious practice, is performed in the temple with 108 lotus leaves on full moon days.

Temple Timings

The temple is open in the morning from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and and in the evening from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Pooja Timings

The temple priests, who are from Vaishnavaite community, perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 6:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 7:30 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Vijayaraghava Perumal and Maragathavalli.

How to reach the Vijayaraghava Perumal temple

By Air

Nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.

By Rail

Nearest railway station is Kanchipuram Railway Station. Private cabs, taxis and local buses are available to reach the temple.

By Bus

The temple located about 11KMs west of Kanchipuram and Half a kilometer from Baluchetti Chattiram which lies on the Chennai – Vellore highway. Local buses are available to reach there.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here