About the Temple & Location:
This temple is situated in Tamil Nadu. 30 miles from Chennai in the Northwest direction, 3 miles away from Thiruvallore Railway Station, which is in between Chennai to Arakkonam Railway lane. Plenty of bus services is available with more frequency.
The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity and is believed to be initiated by the Pallavas of the late 8th century CE, with later contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple has three inscriptions dating from the Chola period. The temple has a seven-tiered raja gopuram (gateway tower) and is enshrined within a granite wall. The complex contains all the shrines and Hritayathabhanasini, the temple tank, is located to the west of the temple. A Goshala (cow shed) is maintained by the temple administration.
Veerraghava Perumal is believed to have appeared to marry his consort, Lakshmi, in the place. The temple observes six daily rituals and three yearly festivals. The chariot festival and float festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent festival of the temple. The jeers of Sri Ahobila Mutt are the hereditary trustees. The temple is maintained and administered by the Ahobila Mutt.
Legend:
Markandeya Purana details the history of the temple. A sage named Salihotra had his hermitage in this place. He used to grind rice for a living and offered half of the flour to the seekers and used to consume the rest himself. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. To test his devotion, Vishnu appeared as a guest to him one day. He requested Salihotra to offer him food, which the sage did. The guest felt hungry and requested the sage to offer more food. The sage offered the other half portion of the flour which he used to consume himself. The guest asked for a place to rest and the sage readily offered his hermitage. On arriving at the hermitage, the guest revealed his true form and blessed the sage.
As per another legend, Vishnu appeared in the place to marry Lakshmi, who was born as the daughter of Dilipa, the king of Dharmasenapura. He appeared in the place and married her. The place is also called Thiruevvul and Veshranniem.
As per yet another legend, Shiva was not invited by Daksha, the father of Dakshyani and wife of Siva for a big yajna (sacrifice). Siva, in his anger, opened his third eye out of which Virabhadra was created. He was directed by Siva to kill Daksha and he followed his orders. Siva incurred Brahmahatti Dosham on account of the execution. He was directed to the sacred tank of the temple to propitiate himself off the sins. The shrine of Siva in the form of Theertheswarar on the northern banks of the temple is believed to be the place where Siva cleansed himself.
History:
The temple is originally believed to have been built by the Pallavas during the 8th century. There are inscriptions dating back to the later half of the 9th century Pallava dynasty reign here. Local folklore claims that the temple is around 5000 years old. According to historian K.V. Soundararajan, the Rangantha temples in South India built during the 9th and 10th centuries have a systematic arrangement of subsidiary deities as seen in this temple along with the Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple at Koviladi, Sowmya Narayana Perumal temple at Thirukoshtiyur, Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannargudi and Rangantha temple at Srirangapatna. There are inscriptions in the temple from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1122 CE) indicating gift of 1000 kulis of land by Tiruvenkatadeva to the temple. The inscriptions from the eastern wall of the Vahanamandap indicate the gift of 130 pons of gold by Veera Raghava Sadagoppa Jiyar, the thirteenth seer of Ahobila Mutt to the temple during 1630-75. There are inscriptions indicating the gift of lands to the temple during the reign of Ramadeva Maharaya (1620–30), Narasimha Deva, Vira Venkatapathi Rayadeva Maharayar and Sri Venkatarayadeva Mahakavi, Kulothunga Deva and Rajendra I. There are also inscriptions referring to the gift of lands for conducting various festivals by other kings in the region like Maduranthaka Deva, Sadasiva Maharaya (1542–1570), and Rama Deva Raya (1617–1632) and Venkata III (1632-42).
Most scholars believe that the major structures of the temple were built in 1409. There is an inscription on the Eastern wall in 1542 CE indicating grants to the temple by a private party.
Sthlapuranam :
A Rishi (Munivar) named Saalihothirar lived in Thiruvathari Ashram (Badrinath). There is a story to be explained about how he got this name.
Saali means measurement instrument which is used to measure the weight (or) quantity of Rice. Saalihothirar’s parents did a homam which has to be done for 1 year using 28 Thousand Saali Rice. As a result of that homam only, he got his birth and got the name “Saalihothirar”.
To get the Paramapadham, he came to this Veeksharanya Shetram to worship the God here. He came to the Kshetram on Thai Amaavasai. On the same day he came, he took bath in Hiruthaapanasana Theertham and on the north shore of this theertha, he started the silence fasting (Mouna viratham – observing silence) for one year. Daily he collected some rice and after a year of fasting, he purified it, he collected about 3 padis (a small quantity) of rice. Then he cooked that and some part of the rice is done Naivedhyam to God and after it is done, he kept the rest of the rice for himself to eat. He waited for some Adhithi (A Guest, probably a muni or rishi) to come so that he can offer them something to eat and after that, he can finish the fasting.
At that time Sriman Narayanan came there as an old muni, keeping Kamandalam in his right hand and an umbrella in his left hand and chappel on his feet. He seems to be so hungry and thirsty and as if he has travelled a long way. On seeing him, Saalihothirar greeted him and made him sit, facing the East direction. He was offered only a quarter part of the rice. But, the old muni (the Perumal) wanted all of the rice to eat.
Saalihothirar gave all of the food to the old muni. After eating the entire food, he asked where can he sleep? ( Evvullil Urangalam ) (Vul – means a place) For this, Saalihothirar asked him that he can sleep in his hut itself and he will do the Paadha seva to him. The old muni slept keeping his head along the south direction and it this Kidantha kolam the Emperumaan is giving his seva in this sthalam.
Since he asked Salihothirar muni in which place (Vul) he can take rest, this sthalam is called “Evvulor” or “Thiru Evvuloor”.
On collecting rice, every day for one year and doing fasting and finally dedicating that to Sriman Narayanan, he asked for all the food for himself. On hearing this, he gave only some part and after the muni asked for all the food, he gave all the food to himself. This shows how he had Bhakti on God and his followers. But he could not understand that the Muni who had asked for all of his food was Sriman Narayanan. But, Sriman Narayanan not only took the rice from him but at the same time he took the bhakti of Saalihothirar in his soul. He not only gave his food but also his place of stay. Sriman Narayanan wanted to explain how the Bhakti towards him should be through Salihotira muni, to the world.
Moolavar is Veera Raghava perumal, in Bhujanga Sayanam in Kidantha Kolam and his right hand is kept on the head of Saalihothira Muni. Naan Mugan, Brahma is shown the Paramathma Soroopam (One way of showing his body (or) Seva) and showing the Gnana Muthirai in his left hand as the symbol of Vedas. This is the way the Moolavar is given the seva to the world.
The Perumal here is Veeraraghava Perumal and he is capable of curing diseases so he is called “Vaithiya Veeraraghavan“.
The god married the Thaayar, who was borne in this sthalam as the daughter of King Dharmasenan and was named “Vasumathi”.
This Sthalam is under the control of Ahobila Mutt Jeeyar.
Specials:
If we take bath in the Pushkarani for this temple in Amavasai, it is said that diseases are cured. All Bakthas submit salt and Pepper as their dedication (Kananikkai) to god.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Veeraraghava Perumal also called Vaithiya Veeraraghavan. Moolavar in sleeping position (Bujanga Sayanam) facing east direction.
Prakthyaksham for Salihothra Munivar.
Sannadhis:
Seperate sannadhis for Boopalarayar, Manavalan, Kannaki, Saligrama Moorthigal,Lakshmi Narasimar, Gajalakshmi Thaayar in pathuma peedam. Ramar, Venugopalar, Vedantha Desikar, Nammazhvar, Andal, Garudan, Thirukachinambigal and Vishwaksenar.
Mangalasasanam:
Thiru Mangai Alwar – 11 Paasurams.
Thirumazhisai Alwar – 1 Paasuram.
Total – 12 Paasurams.
Pushkarani:
Hruthapapa Nasini is used to cure mental diseases. It is said that if taken bath in this pushkarani cures all kinds of diseases.
Vimanam:
Vijaya Kodi Vimanam.
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