Tiruvelukkai

Coordinates: 12°49′20″N 79°42′24″E / 12.82222°N 79.70667°E / 12.82222; 79.70667
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Tiruvelukkai
Images of the temple's deities
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKanchipuram district
DeityAḻagiya Singar (Vishnu)
Amuthavalli (Lakshmi)
Location
LocationKanchipuram
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Tiruvelukkai is located in Tamil Nadu
Tiruvelukkai
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates12°49′20″N 79°42′24″E / 12.82222°N 79.70667°E / 12.82222; 79.70667
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

Tiruvelukkai located in

Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Aḻagiya Singar (Narasimha) and his consort Lakshmi
as Amruthavalli.

The temple is believed to have been built by the

Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a 3-tiered rajagopuram
, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.

Aḻagiya Singar is believed to have appeared to slay Hiranyakashipu, the tyrannical asura king. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Krishna Janmasthami festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Avani (August–September), being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Temple gateway

Velukkai is derived from Vel (desire) and irukkai (place of stay), meaning the place where Vishnu desired to stay, which became Velukkai from Velirukkai.

Saraswati, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of the celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior. Not satisfied with his argument, Saraswati went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswati was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an ashvamedha yajna. Saraswati was still angry that the yajna, which usually is done along with consorts was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in various ways, but Vishnu interfered in all her attempts. After all the demons were killed by Vishnu, who were sent by Saraswati to destroy the yajna (penance) done by Brahma, she sent Kapalika, a demon. Vishnu took the form of Narhari to kill the demon.[3]

Architecture

The presiding deity is Narasimhar (also called Mukunda Nayaka) is depicted in a seated posture facing West.[1] The temple is located close to the Tiruththanka temple in Vishnu Kanchipuram. The temple has three shrines, one each for the presiding deity Aḻagiya Singar, one for his consort Amruthavalli and other for Garuda.[3]

Festivals and religious practices

The temple follows the traditions of the

tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[4]

Religious importance

The temple is revered in

acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of God in this temple.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b C., Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
  2. ^ R. 2001, p. 567-8
  3. ^ a b c MS 1993, pp. 79-81
  4. ^ "Sri Azhagia Singa Perumal temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.


Sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tiruvelukkai.
Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions
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