Medieval Cholas Archives

01/Sep/2022

The Temple:

Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple, located at Srimushnam, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to Varaha, the boar-avatar of Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi as Ambujavalli Thayar.

Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple had contributions from Medieval Cholas of the 10th century and was later expanded by Thanjavur Nayak king Achuthappa Nayak. A granite boundary wall of the temple encloses all the shrines and the temple tanks. There is a seven-tier rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower.

Festivals:

At Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held, out of them the Chariot festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (April–May), is the most prominent. The festival also symbolizes Hindu-Muslim unity in the region – the flag of the chariot is provided by Muslims; they take offerings from the temple and present them to Allah in the mosques.

Legend:

Srimushnam is the Divya Desam in which Vara Murthiyaana, Phuvara Perumal, and his entourage resided. The third of the ten incarnations of Thirumal is the Varaha incarnation. When the demon Iranyadsa hid the earth in the ocean, Maha Vishnu incarnated and killed the monster and saved the earth. Varaha Avatar is mentioned in various Puranic texts.

Once upon a time, four Maharishis came to see Lord Vishnu. They were stopped by the gate guards, Jayan and Vijayan. Enraged by this, the Rishis cursed, “You will be born as Asuras in the world”. Accordingly, both of them were born in the world as children of sage Kasyapa. Named Iranyakasibu and Iranyadsan, they performed many sacrifices and penances and received many boons from Brahma. With those boons, they began to torture the people of the world, the gods, and the sages.

Their cruelty crossed the border. Afraid of both of them, deadly demons, the Devas began to live in hiding. Ranyakasipu performed severe penance towards Brahma and was blessed with the rulership of the three worlds. This caused his brother Iranyadsan to become arrogant. He wanted to catch Lord Varuna and torture him.

Then Varuna said, “Rather than you clashing with me, it is better to clash with Tirumal, who is going to take the avatar of Vara.” If you conquer him, you will conquer everything.” After that, searching for Varaha Murthy became Iranyadsan’s full-time job. But Varagar was nowhere to be found. So, he lured the earth and hid it under the sea.

Because of this, all the living beings of the world suffered. Lord Brahma performed a yagya in memory of Lord Vishnu to save the earth. From that yagya a varagam the size of the thumb appeared. It grew little by little and grew huge. Mahavishnu himself had incarnated as Varahamurthy. Iranyadsan hastened to know the news of Maha Vishnu’s arrival as Varahamurthy through Narada.

By then Varagar had entered the ocean where the earth was hidden. Iranyadsan, who came there, stopped Varagar and fought. Varagar, who finally destroyed him, came up from the ocean with the earth between his two fangs. On the way from the ocean to the upper level, Varagar kept answering all the questions asked by Bhumadevi. Then He fixed the earth in its place.

Then Nityapushkarani Theertha formed from the drops of sweat that poured from his body. Varagar rested near that tirtha. He looked up. From one waking vision the royal tree and from the other waking vision, the basil plant emerged. All the Devas worshiped Maha Vishnu who was Vara Murthy.

Now, Mahavishnu prepared to leave for Vaikundam from there. But when Goddess Bhumadevi asked him to stay with her for some time in Varaha Thrikkolam, he began to bless her there as Bhoovara Perumal. His retinue also stayed on earth.

Thirumal gave a place to the conch in his hands in Sangu Tirtha, to Chakra in Chakra Tirtha, to Brahma in Brahma Tirtha, to Garuda in Parkava Tirtha, to Vayu in Gopura, to Adisesan in Altar and to Vishwaksena in the Door. He also gave Adisesha the task of keeping the messengers from approaching those who came here to worship him and Brahma the task of taking them to Vaikunda. Shrimushnam is the Divya Desam, where he stayed with his entourage as a person like this, a person who was a person like this. Theypirai Panchami in the month of Chitrai is the day when Varabha Perumal incarnated and saved the earth. Varaha Jayanti is observed on that day.

The father is named Sri Bhoovara Perumal and the mother is Ambujavalli. Utsavar’s name is Sridevi-Boodevi Sametha Yagnavaragar. Thala Vridsha is the royal tree. Thala Thirtha is eternal Pushkarani. Periyalvar, Nammalvar, Thirumazhisai Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar, and Andal have blessed this shrine through songs. It is one of the 108 divine lands.

It believed that in this shrine, Brahma used to perform poojas and played the song for Saraswati pooja. The west-facing temple stands with a seven-tiered tower supporting nine urns. Upon entering the temple there is a Purushukta Mandapam with artistic pillars. In it, Jaya and Vijaya, who stand guard in front of the sanctum sanctorum, are Dwarapalakas. In the sanctum sanctorum, Perumal blesses the kolam standing to the west. He is seen with two goddesses in a golam with both hands on his waist.

Although his appearance is towards the west, his face is towards the south. His Thirumeni was made up of Salagram. Built by the Nayaks of Vijayanagara, this temple is rich in sculptures. Andal Sanniti, Parampada Vasal Gopuram, Saptamatars Sanniti, Vodevar Sanniti, Senai Mudaliar Sanniti in the temple premises. Niti and Vedanta Desikar shrines are located there.

Praying to the goddesses, they light a lamp and make their way to the sanctum sanctorum of the child goddess under the neem tree there. On the south side, in a separate sanctum, Ambujavalli’s mother seated facing east. Ambujavalli’s mother, who incarnated as the daughter of Sage Karthiyaini in a town called Brangamadevi and married Ittala Perumal.

At the back of the temple are the Thala Theertha, the Nityapushkarani Theertha, and the Royal Tree, the Thala tree. It believed that if one bathes in Nityapushkarani Tirtha and goes around the royal tree and worships Perumal and the mother, one will get a child.

Puranas say that those who worship Varaha Perumal will get long fame, permanent wealth, disease-free life, and long life.

Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple Timings:

The temple is open daily from 7 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 8 pm.

Location:

Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple is located in Cuddalore district. There are direct bus facilities to this temple from Chennai, Vrudhachalam, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Kattumannarkoil, Trichy, Jayangkondam.

How To Reach Srimushnam Varaha Swamy Temple:

Air : The nearest International airport is Chennai (200Km ). Pondicherry Airport has the facility of charter flights located 25KM from Cuddalore.

Rail : Cuddalore well connected by train from Chennai and other parts of the country.

Road : Road transport is very good in Cuddalore District. National highways NH45 , NH45A go through Cuddalore. State Highways 32 & 36 are also running through Cuddalore District.

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