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[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]

Thiru Vellarai, also known as Svetagiri kshetra is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples. A teertha that claims to be older than [[Srirangam]] (one of the foremost of the Vaishnava kshetras), the temple itself and its deities are praised in innumerable works of many great saint poets.   

 

Thiru Vellarai, also known as Shvetagiri Kshetra is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples. A teertha that claims to be older than [[Srirangam]] (one of the foremost of the Vaishnava kshetras), the temple itself and its deities are praised in innumerable works of many great saint poets.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Thiru Vellarai is located at a distance of 21 kms from Tiruchirapalli and the temple stands on an isolated rock surrounded by massive walls. It is a famous seat of Vaishnava Sampradaya where Ramanuja is said to have spent as many as 12 years of his life.

Thiru Vellarai is located at a distance of 21 kms from Tiruchirapalli and the temple stands on an isolated rock surrounded by massive walls. It is a famous seat of Vaishnava Sampradaya where Ramanuja is said to have spent as many as 12 years of his life. The kshetra is also called Adiranga kshetra (the one preceding Srirangam). And is the birthplace of Uyyakkondar (Disciple of Nathamuni) and Engal azhvan (Disciple of Sri Ramanuja).<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Temple at a glance

|+Temple at a glance<ref name=":0" />

|Vishnu here is referred to as

|Vishnu here is referred to as

|Pundarikakshan, Abhayahasthan

|Pundarikakshan, Abhayahasthan

The svastika shaped pushkarini behind this Vishnu temple is a unique piece of architecture built by Kamban Arayan. The tank has fifty two steps leading from all the sides. The first 18 steps remind one of the 18 chapters of [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], the next 4 steps are symbolic of the [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|four Vedas]], followed by 5 steps reminding one of the Panchabhutas. After crossing the Bali pitha and Dvaja sthambha, one has to climb 8 steps reminding one of the Ashtakshara mantra (Om namo narayanaya). And, the final 24 steps are symbolic of 24 aksharas of Gayatri mantra. Thus, there are 59 steps leading one to the Garbhagrha. In fact, the bathing ghat is so well designed that it gives privacy to the bathing pilgrims.  

The svastika shaped pushkarini behind this Vishnu temple is a unique piece of architecture built by Kamban Arayan. The tank has fifty two steps leading from all the sides. The first 18 steps remind one of the 18 chapters of [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], the next 4 steps are symbolic of the [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|four Vedas]], followed by 5 steps reminding one of the Panchabhutas. After crossing the Bali pitha and Dvaja sthambha, one has to climb 8 steps reminding one of the Ashtakshara mantra (Om namo narayanaya). And, the final 24 steps are symbolic of 24 aksharas of Gayatri mantra. Thus, there are 59 steps leading one to the Garbhagrha. In fact, the bathing ghat is so well designed that it gives privacy to the bathing pilgrims.  

* The Temple Gates

* The Temple Gates

There are two entrances to this temple. One is the Uttarayana gate which is kept open between January and July and the other one is Dakshinayana gate which is kept open between July and January. This is based on the practice followed at Vaikunta. There is yet another gate known as Nazhi Kettan Vasal. It was at this Vasal (door) that Bhagavan Vishnu was questioned by Lakshmi Devi for returning late at night. It is said that, one day Vishnu returned late after his customary rounds in the village. Devi in her misgiving queried Vishnu about his late return. And therefore, the name Nazhi Kettan Vasal (ie. the gate where Vishnu was asked time).

There are two entrances to this temple. One is the Uttarayana gate which is kept open between January and July and the other one is Dakshinayana gate which is kept open between July and January. This is based on the practice followed at Vaikunta. There is yet another gate known as Nazhi Kettan Vasal. It was at this Vasal (door) that Bhagavan Vishnu was questioned by Lakshmi Devi for returning late at night. It is said that, one day Vishnu returned late after his customary rounds in the village. Devi in her misgiving queried Vishnu about his late return. And therefore, the name Nazhi Kettan Vasal (ie. the gate where Vishnu was asked time).<ref name=":0" />

== Deities ==

== Deities ==

Mahavishnu in this temple is revered as Pundarikaksha. He is depicted in a standing posture (Nindra tirukolam) facing the east. He is in the company of Aniruddha and Pradyumna. While, Lakshmi is enshrined separately and is worshipped as Senkamalavalli and Pankajaselvi. Periya alwar considers the deity here as Jnana Sudar ( ie. the flame of wisdom) while, Sri Vedanta Desika refers to this deity as Svayam Prakasha (self-effulgent).

Mahavishnu in this temple is revered as Pundarikaksha. He is depicted in a standing posture (Nindra tirukolam) facing the east. He is in the company of Aniruddha and Pradyumna. While, Lakshmi is enshrined separately and is worshipped as Senkamalavalli and Pankajaselvi. Periya alwar glorified the deity here are Balakrishna and called him Jnana Sudar ( ie. the flame of wisdom), Tirumangai alwar eulogized him as Sveta Hayagriva while, Sri Vedanta Desika refers to this deity as Svayam Prakasha (self-effulgent).<ref name=":0" /> 

== Legends ==

== Legends ==

The earliest reference to Thiru Vellarai is found in the Brahmanda Purana and the Padma Purana. Some of the legends in connection with this temple are enumerated below:

This Divya Desha is sanctified with very many inspiring stories thereby attracting pilgrims since times immemorial. It is said that Vishnu in this kshetra gave darshana to Raja Sibi, Garuda, Bhu devi, Markandeya Maharshi and several other celestials. The earliest reference to Thiru Vellarai is found in the Brahmanda Purana and the Padma Purana. Some of the legends in connection with this temple are enumerated below:

* It is said that Goddess Lakshmi cherished a wish to rule the world. Bhagavan Vishnu consented to her desire and assured her that she would be ruling the world from Thiruvellarai. Later, Vishnu also descended to this same spot in response to her prayers. It is believed that, it is in this temple that Vishnu consented to Sengol Paripalana. Accordingly, in all temple festivals, Sri Lakshmi walks ahead of Mahavishnu in the processions. Here, Lakshmi takes the lead and Vishnu follows. It is said that the entire Vaishnava sampradhaya was codified by Sri Ramanujacharya in this place.

* It is said that Goddess Lakshmi cherished a wish to rule the world. Bhagavan Vishnu consented to her desire and assured her that she would be ruling the world from Thiruvellarai. Later, Vishnu also descended to this same spot in response to her prayers. It is believed that, it is in this temple that Vishnu consented to Sengol Paripalana. Accordingly, in all temple festivals, Sri Lakshmi walks ahead of Mahavishnu in the processions. Here, Lakshmi takes the lead and Vishnu follows. It is said that the entire Vaishnava sampradhaya was codified by Sri Ramanujacharya in this place.<ref name=":0" />

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is said that Vishnu appeared before Raja Sibi, Garuda, Bhu devi, Markandeya Maharshi and several other celestials.

* However, according to another version, the white boar disappeared into the thick of the jungle. And Markandeya rishi with his yogic powers intuited that the boar was none other than Mahavishnu in his Varaha avatar. He then directed Raja Shibi to build a temple for Vishnu and Lakshmi. Raja Shibi also, having undergone a adhyatmik transformation constructed seven teerthas at Svetagiri, on the spots where the boar had left its imprints. And the spot where Bhumi devi was doing penance blossomed into a flower garden. So, it was Raja Shibi who installed Mahavishnu in an iconic form and glorified him as Svetagirinatha.

* In fact, it is said that when the temple was being built, Markandeya rishi brought as many as 3700 Brahmana families from the north. It is believed that when one of the Brahmanas died on the way, Mahavishnu himself substituted for him in the religious function. In due course of time, these 3700 families dispersed to different parts of South India. They are identified as Thiruvellarai Vaishnavas. Even, Ramanujacharya during his banishment from the Chola Desha, is said to have taken as many as 52 families from Vellarai to Karnataka Desha.<ref name=":0" />

== Kshetra Phala ==

== Kshetra Phala ==

* It is said that Lord Yama has blessed this kshetra with an assurance that anyone who prays and worships the deity at Vellarai will be spared of life in hell.  

* It is said that Lord Yama has blessed this kshetra with an assurance that anyone who prays and worships the deity at Vellarai will be spared of life in hell.  

* It is also believed that if one takes bath in the five teerthas and worships the deity here on a Sunday in the month of Kartikai, one will be blessed with a beautiful child.

* It is also believed that if one takes bath in the five teerthas and worships the deity here on a Sunday in the month of Kartikai, one will be blessed with a beautiful child.<ref name=":0" />