Difference between revisions of "Thiru Pullam Boothangudi"

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Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated at a distance of 4kms from Swamimalai. The kshetra is also close to the birthplace of Thondaradipodi Alwar.^[1]

Introduction

In Thiru Pullam Boothangudi, the main deity is known as Valvil Raman. He is in shayana tirukolam (the reclining posture) facing the east. Sri Lakshmi here, is said to have emerged from the lotus tank and hence, is known as Pottramarayal. She is also known as Hemambhujavalli. The tirtha has taken its name from Jatayu - the one who fought Ravana while he was abducting Sita in the Ramayana. Jatayu tirtha is also known as Kiruthra tirtha. The vimana is identified as Shobhana vimana. It is in this kshetra that Rama is said to have responded to the prayers of Kruta Raja and Thirumangai Alwar.^[1]

Temple at a glance^[1]
Vishnu in this kshetra is known as	Valvil Rama
Lakshmi in this kshetra is known as	Pottramaraiyal, Hemambujavalli
Vimana is called	Shobhana Vimana
Pushkarini is named as	Jatayu Pushkarini, Kruthva Theertha
Hymns by Alwars on this kshetra	Ten
Location	4 kms from Swamimalai

Structure

The temple of Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is a great example of Dravidian art. It is a five-tiered tower that dominates the landscape from an imposing height. The tirtha itself occupies a modest dimension of one acre area with a single prahara. The five-tiered tower endowed with kalashas over the eastern entrance is characteristic of Dravidian architecture. From the entrance, getting past the gopura, there is the Dvaja stambha and the Bali Pitha. Furthermore, there are three tiers of gateways leading to the entrance of the sanctum. The Prahara includes shrines of different deities.^[1]

Legends

This temple of Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is rich in history and its legends are famous. It also occupies an important position among the Chola temples. The Brahmanda purana embodies a great deal about this kshetra. This kshetra has witnessed many inspiring episodes.^[1]

Jatayu Moksha

This is believed to be the kshetra of Jatayu Moksha (where Jatayu attained liberation).

In the Ramayana, Jatayu saw Sita being abducted by Ravana and fought valiantly to save her. In the process, both his wings were cut by Ravana. His wings being cut, the place where Jatayu fell down is now known as Pulla Bhoothangudi. It is said that, Rama and Lakshmana in their search for Sita saw Jatayu. He was holding on to life just to inform them of Sita's plight. Fulfilling his resolve, the divine bird then breathed its last with the following prayer:

"Rama is the chime of the clock of time, Rama and Rama alone is the spirit sublime, Rama is my breath, o! mother of mine ! Rama is the rhythm of nature and clime !"

Rama, himself is said to have performed the last rites of Jatayu at this very spot like a son would for his father. The temple is in memory of this divine bird and since Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu, Jatayu earned the name Periya Udayar.

It is interesting to note here that there is one more temple known as Thiruputkuzhi near Kanchipuram where the same legend as above is accepted. However, at Pullam Boothangudi, Rama didn't have Sita by his side. Just as he was perplexed about performing the last rites in Sita's absence, legend goes that Bhumadevi appeared from the Jatayu Pushkarini as Sita. And as she came out from a lotus tank, she came to be called Pottramaraiyal.
It is said that Rama was sad and inconsolable on the death of Raja Dasharatha. At the same time, on separation from Sita, he became lost and withdrawn. It was when he performed the last rites of Jatayu enabling his moksha that Rama regained his poise and vigour. Therefore, he has rightly earned the name Valvilrama in this kshetra. And because he gave moksha to a bird and performed the last rites to a bhuta sharira, the place came to be known as Pullam Boothangudi.^[1]

Thirumangai Alwar

Once when Tirumangai Alwar reached Pullam Boothangudi, he saw the two princes Rama and Lakshmana lying under a tree. However, he mistook them to be pilgrims and walked away. As divine intuition prevailed, he happened to come back to the temple, where Rama then appeared before him with four hands as Chaturbhuja Rama.^[1]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Temples]]
-Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is
+{{NeedCitation}}Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated at a distance of 4kms from Swamimalai. The kshetra is also close to the birthplace of Thondaradipodi Alwar.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
+==Introduction==
+In Thiru Pullam Boothangudi, the main deity is known as Valvil Raman. He is in shayana tirukolam (the reclining posture) facing the east. Sri Lakshmi here, is said to have emerged from the lotus tank and hence, is known as Pottramarayal. She is also known as Hemambhujavalli. The tirtha has taken its name from Jatayu - the one who fought Ravana while he was abducting Sita in the Ramayana. Jatayu tirtha is also known as Kiruthra tirtha. The vimana is identified as Shobhana vimana. It is in this kshetra that Rama is said to have responded to the prayers of Kruta Raja and Thirumangai Alwar.<ref name=":0" />
+{| class="wikitable"
+|+Temple at a glance<ref name=":0" />
+|Vishnu in this kshetra is known as
+|Valvil Rama
+|-
+|Lakshmi in this kshetra is known as
+|Pottramaraiyal, Hemambujavalli
+|-
+|Vimana is called
+|Shobhana Vimana
+|-
+|Pushkarini is named as
+|Jatayu Pushkarini, Kruthva Theertha
+|-
+|Hymns by Alwars on this kshetra
+|Ten
+|-
+|Location
+|4 kms from Swamimalai
+|}
+==Structure==
+The temple of Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is a great example of Dravidian art. It is a five-tiered tower that dominates the landscape from an imposing height. The tirtha itself occupies a modest dimension of one acre area with a single prahara. The five-tiered tower endowed with kalashas over the eastern entrance is characteristic of Dravidian architecture. From the entrance, getting past the gopura, there is the Dvaja stambha and the Bali Pitha. Furthermore, there are three tiers of gateways leading to the entrance of the sanctum. The Prahara includes shrines of different deities.<ref name=":0" />
+==Legends==
+This temple of Thiru Pullam Boothangudi is rich in history and its legends are famous. It also occupies an important position among the Chola temples. The Brahmanda purana embodies a great deal about this kshetra. This kshetra has witnessed many inspiring episodes.<ref name=":0" />
-At a glance....
+=== Jatayu Moksha ===
+This is believed to be the kshetra of Jatayu Moksha (where Jatayu attained liberation).
+* In the Ramayana, Jatayu saw Sita being abducted by Ravana and fought valiantly to save her. In the process, both his wings were cut by Ravana. His wings being cut, the place where Jatayu fell down is now known as Pulla Bhoothangudi. It is said that, Rama and Lakshmana in their search for Sita saw Jatayu. He was holding on to life just to inform them of Sita's plight. Fulfilling his resolve, the divine bird then breathed its last with the following prayer:
+<blockquote>''"Rama is the chime of the clock of time, Rama and Rama alone is the spirit sublime, Rama is my breath, o! mother of mine ! Rama is the rhythm of nature and clime !"''</blockquote>Rama, himself is said to have performed the last rites of Jatayu at this very spot like a son would for his father. The temple is in memory of this divine bird and since Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu, Jatayu earned the name Periya Udayar.
+* It is interesting to note here that there is one more temple known as Thiruputkuzhi near Kanchipuram where the same legend as above is accepted. However, at Pullam Boothangudi, Rama didn't have Sita by his side. Just as he was perplexed about performing the last rites in Sita's absence, legend goes that Bhumadevi appeared from the Jatayu Pushkarini as Sita. And as she came out from a lotus tank, she came to be called Pottramaraiyal.
+* It is said that Rama was sad and inconsolable on the death of Raja Dasharatha. At the same time, on separation from Sita, he became lost and withdrawn. It was when he performed the last rites of Jatayu enabling his moksha that Rama regained his poise and vigour. Therefore, he has rightly earned the name Valvilrama in this kshetra. And because he gave moksha to a bird and performed the last rites to a bhuta sharira, the place came to be known as Pullam Boothangudi.<ref name=":0" />
-Vishnu Lakshmi Viman Pushkarni Hymns Location
+=== Thirumangai Alwar ===
+* Once when Tirumangai Alwar reached Pullam Boothangudi, he saw the two princes Rama and Lakshmana lying under a tree. However, he mistook them to be pilgrims and walked away. As divine intuition prevailed, he happened to come back to the temple, where Rama then appeared before him with four hands as Chaturbhuja Rama.<ref name=":0" />
-Valvil Rama Pottramaraiyal, Hemambujavalli Sobhana Viman Jatayu Pushkarni, Kruthva Theertha Ten 4 kms from Swamimalai.
+== References ==
+<references />
-== Structure ==
+[[Category:Temples]]
-Different approaches become necessary to unify the human beings from various religious factions to attain the Supreme. One such pathway is temple worship and the worship of its icon. The nightingale sings, the glow worm glows and together they dispel the darkness of the night ! The famous temple of Thirupullam Boothangudi is one such unique synthesis. The temple is a great monument of Dravidian art glorified by heavenly connections. A five-tiered tower dominates the landscape from an imposing height. The tower conjures up visions of multi-coloured pictures of the distant past. Sanctified by the reclining image of the Lord this theertha occupies a modest dimension on an area of one acre with a single prahara. A five-tiered tower crowned with kalasams perched Over the eastern entrance bears ample testimony to the Dravidian architecture. As we get past the gopura we prostrate before the Dwaja sthamba and the Bali Peeta. We then pass through the next gateway of three tiers before entering the sanctum. There are other shrines in the prahara.
+[[Category:Article needs attention]]
-== Deities ==
-The principal deity is known as Valvil Raman. He is in sayana facing east. Lakshmi is depicted as Pottramaraiyal. She is also known as Hemambhujavalli. The theertha has taken its name from Jatayu. Jatayu theertha is also known as Kruthra theertha. The viman is identified as Sobana viman. Lord responded to the prayers of Kruta Raja and Thirumangai Alwar. Since Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the lotus tank, she is known as Pottramarayal.
-== Legends ==
-The historic place is consecrated by the hymns of Alwars. The temple is rich in history and famous in legends and it also occupies a dominant place among the temples of Chola. Brahmanda puran embodies a great deal about the kshetra. This august deity is believed to have liberated many a upasakas as evidenced by Jatayu Moksha. Glorified with many inspiring episodes this kshetra is exudes divinity.
-The Lord here is known as Valvil Rama while at Thiruvelliangudi he is known as Kolavilli Rama and at Thiruppullani he is revered as Dharbasayana Rama. The legend of this place is connected with Jatayu, the vulture King. Jatayu saw Sita Devi being abducted by Ravana. His two wings were cut even as he valiantly fought the Asura. The place where he fell down fighting valiantly is now known as Pulla Bhoothangudi. Rama and Lakshmana in their search for Sita saw Jatayu holding on to dear life only to inform them of her plight. Little later the divine bird breathed its last with the following prayer
-"Raam is the chime of the clock of time, Roam and Raam alone is the spirit sublime, Raam is my breath, o! mother of mine ! Roam is the rhythm of nature and clime !
-Rama, the abode of countless virtues performed the last rites of Jatayu at this spot with great piety like a son. Thus the temple reveres the memory of the holy bird. Thus this is the temple where Jatayu got emancipated from the terrestrial world with the blessings of Sri Rama. Since Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu, Jatayu earned the name of Periya Udayar.
-There is one more temple known as Thiruputkuzhi near Kancheepuram where the same legend is reenacted by Mahaveera performing Shraddha ceremony to the bird. But at Pullam Boothangudi, Rama didn't have Sita by his side. He was perplexed about performing the last rites in Sita's absence. He was in two minds, the first mind not knowing what the other mind was up to ! At that time legend goes that Bhoomadevi appeared from Jatayu Pushkarni as Sita. Then Tirumangai Alwar in his turn reached that spot. He saw the two princes Ram and Laksman lying under the tree. He mistook them to be pilgrims. But on divine intuition he came back to the temple where Ram appeared before him with four hands as Lord Vishnu. Thus the king of Ayodhya while in human form blessed the Alwar with a glorious sight as Chathurbuja Rama!
-Rama was sad and inconsolable on the death of King Dasaratha. He was also lost and withdrawn on the separation of Sita. Later he regained his poise and vigour, only after giving moksha to Jatayu at this kshetra. Therefore he has rightly earned the name Valvilrama.
-Because he gave moksha to a bird and performed the last rites to a bhoota sharira, the place came to be known as Pullamboothangudi.
-The temple is located at a distance of 4 Kms from Swamimalai and the Birthplace of Thondaradipodi Alwar is nearby.