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Line 1: − + − − + − − An interesting incident recorded during the period of Nanda Chola is that the Raja once found in his lily pond a heavenly female child floating on a lotus. He took it as a gift from the Almighty and named her Kamalavalli as she was found on the petals of a lotus flower. When she came of age, she met Lord Ranganatha and immediately fell in love with him. The king Nanda Chola consummated her marriage to Ranganatha with great pomp. When the heavenly born daughter was taken inside the sanctum, it is said that she merged with the Lord in a blaze of light. In commemoration of his daughter's marriage, Nanda Chola then constructed two temples, one for Kamalavalli and the other for Azhagiya Manavala at Uraiyur. This is the legendary connection between Srirangam and Uraiyur.<ref name=":0" /> − + + Line 30:
Line 28: − − Trichirapalli or Srirangam is the most convenient+ − − − In the earliest authentic record the temple is+ − named as Nichilapuri and Thirukozhi. − − The nine-tier shikara soaring high in the sky looks like a ballet in stone when viewed in the dancing twilight. The shikara of this holy shrine has series of graded tiers at different heights that bestow on them a unique proportion of rhythmic verticality. The result is one of silent dignity and organic unity.+ − − Medium in size with one prahar and two shrines − − A one-time capital of Chola dynasty it depicts the − − − The temple is surrounded by high walls, beams and − pillars housing the Lord with penetrating eyes. − − − between the 10th and 11th Centuries when Chola glory was at its acme. Normally − these temples have porch, a mandap, a vestibule, sanctum and an inner − − − + − − − the everlasting company of Lakshmi manifested here as KamalavalliNachiar. She − − permanent abode in this shrine she is seated by the side of the Lord. The − viman, the super structure is known as Kalyanaviman and the theertha is known − as Surya pushkarni. God appeared before his saintly devotee Dharma Varma, the − − There is no separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi as she is always in the company − of the Lord. The deity is enchantingly − − (1-1J-s` beautiful with its imposing figure, lustrous eyes − − − − Once the Devas were unable to decide as to who among the Trinity+ − was the Greatest. Brighu Maharishi in his attempt to find an answer first went − to Kailash. Shiv and Parvati were taking rest. The Dwarapalakas refused entry − to Brighu. The rishi came to the conclusion that Shivji was not that easily − accessible. In his anger the rishi cursed Shivji to be born a beggar and would − never be worshipped in a human form. − In his sojourn the rishi next went to Satyaloka. At+ − Satyaloka Brahma was deeply engrossed in his Yogamaya. He did not notice − Brighu. As could be expected the rishi lost no time and left Brahmaloka in a − − + − − At the same time Lakshmidevi asked the rishi to leave Vaikunth since she wanted − − that she would be born in Bhoolok as a Jeevathma. Since Vishnu showered love Line 122:
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[[Category:Temples]]
[[Category:Temples]]
Uraiyur is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity Azhagiya Manavala, an epithet of Lord Vishnu at a distance of 3 kms from Srirangam. It is not just one of the 108 Vaishnava temples, but also one among the 40 Cholanadu Divya Desas. The temple being rich in history and famous in legends, occupies a coveted place in the heart of the devotees.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
Uraiyur is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity Azhagiya Manavalan (also an epithet of Lord Vishnu) at a distance of 3 kms from Srirangam. It is not just one of the 108 Vaishnava temples, but also one among the 40 Cholanadu Divya Desas. The temple being rich in history and famous in legends, occupies a coveted place in the heart of the devotees.<ref name=":02">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The temple of Uraiyur is closely associated with Srirangam Ranganatha temple in its history. In fact, the utsava (processional) deity of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam is known as Azhagiya manavalan (one of enchanting beauty).This processional deity at Srirangam is manifested as the presiding deity here, at Uraiyur.
The temple of Uraiyur is closely associated with [[Srirangam|Srirangam Ranganatha temple]] in its history. In fact, the utsava murthi (processional idol) of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam is known as Azhagiya manavalan (one of enchanting beauty).This processional deity at Srirangam is manifested as the presiding deity here, at Uraiyur.
=== Temple at a glance<ref name=":0" /> ===
An interesting incident recorded during the period of Nanda Chola is that the Raja once found in his lily pond a heavenly female child floating on a lotus. He took it as a gift from the Almighty and named her Kamalavalli as she was found on the petals of a lotus flower. When she came of age, she met Lord Ranganatha and immediately fell in love with him. The king Nanda Chola consummated her marriage to Ranganatha with great pomp. When the heavenly born daughter was taken inside the sanctum, it is said that she merged with the Lord in a blaze of light. In commemoration of his daughter's marriage, Nanda Chola then constructed two temples, one for Kamalavalli and the other for Azhagiya Manavalan at Uraiyur. This is the legendary connection between Srirangam and Uraiyur.<ref name=":02" />
=== Temple at a glance<ref name=":02" /> ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Vishnu here is referred to as
|Vishnu here is referred to as
|3 kms from Tiruchirapalli
|3 kms from Tiruchirapalli
|}
|}
== Location ==
== Location ==
Tiruchirapalli or Srirangam is the most convenient base to visit this temple.<ref name=":02" />
base to visit this temple.
== History ==
== History ==
According to Prof S. Narayanan, the earliest authentic records mention this temple as Nichilapuri and Thirukozhi.<ref name=":02" />
== Structure ==
== Structure ==
Uraiyur, a one-time capital of Chola dynasty depicts the Dravidian architecture at its best. Most of these magnificient monuments are considered a result of the 10th and 11th Century when Chola dynasty was at the peak of its glory. The temples of this time-period generally have a mandapa (porch-like structure), an antarala (like a vestibule), sanctum (garbhagrha) and an inner circumambulatory round the sanctum (Prahara). The Uraiyur temple is surrounded by high walls, beams and pillars housing the Lord Manavalan known for his penetrating eyes. Though temple itself is medium in size with one prahar and two shrines (sannidhis), the shikara (gopuram) of this holy shrine is known for its series of nine graded tiers at different heights that bestow on them a unique proportion of rhythmic verticality. The result of which is one of silent dignity and organic unity.<ref name=":02" />
Dravidian architecture at its best even as it applauds the beauty of the Lord.
Most of these magnificient monuments were created
circumambulatory round the sanctum.
== The deity and his consort ==
== The deity and his consort ==
Rich in divine association and abounding in several
Rich in divine association and abounding in several distinctive features, Vishnu at this temple is depicted as Manavala perumal in a standing posture (Nindra tirukkolam) with a prayoga chakra in his hand. The Almighty is facing north and is always accompanied by Lakshmi manifested here as Kamalavalli Nachiar. She is also known as Vasalakshmi and Uraiyurvalli. As oppposed to other Vaishnava temples where Lakshmi has a separate shrine within the temple, she is seated by the side of the Lord here since it is believed that goddess has taken her permanent abode in this temple. In fact it is said that Mahavishnu appeared before his devotee Dharma Varma, the king of Chola dynasty and at his request agreed to stay at this holy spot. Prof S. Narayanan says, ''"The deity is enchantingly beautiful with its imposing figure, lustrous eyes and captivating smile. Bedecked with ornaments the Lord looks most beautiful in the company of Sridevi."''<ref name=":02" />
distinctive features Vishnu at this temple is depicted as Manavalaperumal in a
standing posture with a prayoga chakra in his hand. The Lord is facing north in
is also known as Vasalakshmi and Uraiyurvalli. Since she has taken her
king of Chola dynasty and at his request agreed to stay at this holy spot.
and captivating smile. Bedecked with ornaments the Lord looks most beautiful in
the company of Sridevi.
== Legend ==
== Legend ==
The story about how Mahavishnu came to reside here in Uraiyur is very interesting. It is said that,
Once the Devas were unable to decide as to who among the Trinity was the Greatest. Brghu Maharshi in his attempt to find an answer first went to Kailash where Shiva and Parvati were resting. Therefore, the Dwarapalakas refused to let Brghu Rshi enter. Considering that Shiva was not that easily accessible, the rishi cursed Shiva in anger and proceeded further. He next went to Satyaloka where Brahma was deeply engrossed in his Yogamaya. Because of his preoccupation, he did not notice Brghu and as expected, the rishi lost no time in leaving Brahmaloka in a huff.
huff.
Finally Brighu knocked at Vaikunth where Vishnu received him
Finally Brghu knocked at Vaikuntha where Vishnu received him with warmth. The rshi then expressed his desire to be with the Lord for some time. However, at the same time, Goddes Lakshmi asked the rshi to leave Vaikuntha since she wanted to be with the Lord. As could be expected, Brghu got enraged and cursed Lakshmi hat she would be born in Bhoolok as a Jeevathma. Since Vishnu showered love
with warmth. The rishi expressed his desire to be with the Lord for some time.
to be with the Lord. As could be expected Brighu got enraged and cursed Lakshmi
and warmth the rishi adjudged Vishnu as the Supreme among the Trinity. Because of
and warmth the rishi adjudged Vishnu as the Supreme among the Trinity. Because of
the curse of Brighu Maharishi Lakshmi was sad and inconsolable. The Lordassured
the curse of Brighu Maharishi Lakshmi was sad and inconsolable. The Lordassured
them that he would always be with them at Uraiyur. This is the birthplace of
them that he would always be with them at Uraiyur. This is the birthplace of
the renowned Thirupanalwar.
the renowned Thirupanalwar.
== References ==
== References ==