Vijayaraghava Perumal Devsthanam
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The Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, in Thiruputkuli, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, is a prominent Dravidian-style Vishnu temple, celebrated in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. As one of the 108 Divya Desams, it's revered for its divine significance. Located near the Chennai-Vellore highway, the temple venerates Vishnu as Vijayaraghava Perumal and Lakshmi as Maragathavalli Thayar. It has a rich history with origins traced back to the Pandyas, and later contributions from the Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple features a five-tiered Rajagopuram and a sacred temple tank. Major festivals here include the Brahmotsavam in Masi and Theppotsavam in Thai, drawing numerous devotees annually.
Temple Information
- Deity: Lord Vijayaraghava Perumal, a form of Lord Vishnu
- Location: Tamil Nadu, India
- Architectural Style: Dravidian architecture, marked by its grand gopurams and intricate carvings
- Significance: Part of the 108 Divya Desams, revered in Vaishnavite tradition
History/Historical Events
The Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is deeply intertwined with a poignant legend from the epic Ramayana, adding a layer of historical significance to the temple's sanctity. Central to this legend is Jatayu, the noble demigod bird, who met a heroic yet tragic fate at the hands of the demon king Ravana while attempting to save Sita during her abduction.
According to the legend, during his arduous quest to find his wife Sita, Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, along with his brother Lakshmana, arrived at this place. Here, they encountered Jatayu in a mortally wounded state. In his final moments, Jatayu narrated the events of Sita's abduction to Rama, playing a crucial role in the epic narrative. It is believed that at this very site, the presiding deity of the temple, Vijayaraghava Perumal, performed the last rites for Jatayu, in an act that symbolizes the bond between divine beings and their ardent devotees.
The temple's locale is further sanctified by the presence of Jatayu Tirtham, the sacred water body where Jatayu is said to have fallen. This site, known as Thiruputkuli, derives its name from the event of Jatayu's burial in a pit ('kuli' in Tamil), with 'Pul' referring to Jatayu's eagle family. This same legend is also associated with the nearby Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple, indicating the widespread reverence for Jatayu's sacrifice across the region.
Through its association with this legend, the Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a living memorial to Jatayu’s devotion and courage, symbolizing the profound themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and divine intervention that are central to Hindu beliefs.
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