Thiru Vazhundur

Thiru Vazhundur, also called as Terezhundur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples.

As it stands today, Thiruvazhundur is fairly a big temple situated a distance of 10 kms. from Mayavaram. It is surrounded by spacious enclosures, entrances and doorways and the origin of the town and its temple dates back to pre-historic times. Situated on Mayavaram-Komal highway route, the Divya Desa with many gallant deeds exudes divinity.

The famous Vaishnava temple is dedicated to the Lord Devadirajan in a standing posture facing east. To his left is Garuda and Cauvery Maatha. The processional deity of the shrine is known as Aamaruviappan. He is flanked by a cow and a calf. Lakshmi is manifested as Sengamalavalli, the Pushkarni is popular as Darshana pushkarni and the viman as Garuda viman. The Lord revealed himself to Uparisaravasu, Cauvery and Agasthya.

The 80 feet shikara presents a well-developed phase of Dravidian architecture. Abounding with many episodes its viman is full of artistic embellishments. Its history unfolds itself during the reign of Raja Raja Chola. A three-tier gopura adorns the entrance. The gopura is certainly impressive but lacks the magnificence of the Kumbakonam tower and the artistic pattern of Sirupuliyoor.

Tier upon tier of towers, domes, minarets and tapering dominate the scenario. The devout Hindus inspired by their faith visit the temple from all parts of the country for ablutions. The shrine rich in legends presents truly an eerie spectacle of divine communion.

One cannot fail to notice Bali peeta and Dwaja stharnba at the entrance. To the left is Hanumar sannidhi and to the right is Thirumangai Thirumandapam. In the outer prahar to one's left is a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi.

This foremost Pancha Krishna kshetra ravaged out by time has a proper plan with elevated steps. Thus it is possible for us to take a panoramic view of the sanctum sanctorum from the sannidhi street.

The omnipotent Lord sustains this vast universe, nay, and the whole cosmos. Everything works so meticulously, perfectly ! No human intellect can conceive how the myriad things and beings themselves into the orchestrate melody of harmonious co-existence in this universe. One ought not to disturb this harmony by one's personal preference. If you choose to assert your individual ego the Lord then hands you the reins of control. Then you lose his grace and benevolence. Conversely, when you demolish your ego and totally surrender to the scheme of things you receive the Lord's benign grace. This is amplified by the following legend.

The puranic legend tells that an unconquerable King by name Uparisaravasu obtained unconditional boons from Brahma of victory at any cost on earth or sky. One day in bloated vanity he was flying his chariot with his queen. The queen expressed a desire to worship the Perumal but the King brushed aside her request. Pride goes before a fall. Even as he was flying on the chariot he ordered all visible objects to be destroyed. Lo ! he misused his boon and slew all the cattle grazing on the ground. It was at this juncture that Garud swung into action with his talons. Lord took the cudgel against him symbolic of Lord Krishna's compassion for animals. Consequently, the King's chariot fell into the pushkarni and broke into pieces. Therefore the name Therazhundur. On the advice of Agastyarishi the King went to the temple and sought refuge at the lotus feet of the Lord. Symbolically at this shrine one can see an idol of cow and a calf along with the processional idols.

According to a puranic legend Brahma was closely following the miraculous deeds of Lord Krishna. He in his enthusiasm wanted to witness all the possible sports of the Balayogi. One day when the cows were grazing on the banks of the river Yamuna, Brahma managed to hide all of them in some unknown region. Balakrishna in his search walked into the forest. Just then Brahma chose to hide the cows in a cave. With divine powers Krishna intuited that this was a jest of Brahma, the creator. In his attempt to redeem the situation Krishna with his yogic powers created a group of cowherds with their cattle. He projected these creations out of his own self. Brahma was now convinced of the powers of Balakrishna and realised that the Balagopala was none other than the supreme reality. Consequently, the boys and the cattle were woken up by Brahma as they were in suspended animation for few days. Even as Brahma brought them out of the cave Balakrishna in his turn withdrew his projected beings. Brahma later paid homage to Krishna, the incarnation of divinity.

Yet another legend tells that the two demons Vatapi and Villava had a way of capturing unsuspecting human beings. It was their practice to invite a human being as a guest for partaking the food. Vatapi, one of the demons, would be killed and served as a meal by the other demon Villava. After the meal Villava would call for Vatapi. Losing no time, Vatapi would tear open the stomach of the guest and come out. Thus with each passing day a villager would be killed and feasted on by the demons. The villagers went to Agasthya rishi for a solution. The next day Agasthya rishi went as a guest to the house of the demons. Agasthya rishi had his meal. As soon as he finished his meal by touching his stomach he uttered the words vatapi jeerano bhava. With his prayers he ordered that the demon Vatapi to be digested in his stomach. Thus when Villava called out for his brother Vatapi could not come out. The rishi to atone the killing of the demon did severe penance at this kshetra to Lord Devadiraja. To mark this incident an idol of Agasthya rishi is installed in the Mahamandapa of the temple. As per historic accounts Thirumangai Alwar during his sojourn reached Therazhundur. The Azhwar mistook the temple as one dedicated to Lord Indra. Even as the Azhwar was leaving the town he was suddenly paralysed. A little later he retraced his steps to the temple of Devathiraja. It dawned on him that it was nothing but the divine command of the Lord and he immediately composed 45 hymns on Devathiraja.

Another legend has it that Agasthiya Maharishi, overcome by love and lust, wanted to marry Cauvery. On her refusal he imprisoned her in his kamandala. Lord Ganesha the silent witness, came to Cauvery's rescue. He assumed the form of a crow, and pushed the kamandala with force Thus the water from the kamandai gushed out eastwards. The rishi cursed not only her but also the region through which she escaped. Cauvery in her turn prayed to the Lord Devadirajan at Therazhundur seeking refuge. Responding to the call of a sincere duty the Lord appeared and saved the situation. Thus, one can see Cauvery Matha in the Garbagriha in service to the Lord. Garuda is also depicted by the side of the Lord at the sanctum sanctorum. There is no separate sannidhi for Garuda. Thus the Lord is flanked by Garud, Cauvery Matha and Prahlad. Andal shrine is nearby. Thirumangai Alwar has composed not less than 45 hymns in praise of the Lord.

This is the birthplace of Kamban and not far away from the temple there is a vast open space which is known as Kamban medu in honour of Kamban.