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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.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>   

 

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. 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" />

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" />

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=== Kshetra Sthapana ===

=== Kshetra Sthapana ===

* Once upon a time when [[Shibi Chakravarti (शिबिचक्रवर्तिः)|Shibi Chakravarti]] was ruling Ayodhya during Treta Yuga, inflamed with passion, he decided to wage war with Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. He arrayed a huge army to conquer Lanka. Leading the march and assembling a well-equipped army, he moved on his great chariot. The force he applied on his army to propel them was terrific to behold. However, when he reached Neelikavanam near Svetagiri, he was overcome by fatigue, hunger and thirst. The wind blew furiously, black clouds rolled one after another and rains began to lash incessantly. Streams started overflowing with cool and fragrant breeze blowing from all sides while, the trees danced along with the wind. Attracted by the scenic beauty, Raja Shibi decided to rest there for sometime with his army. After a while, they reached an orchard with small streams of crystal clear water. They managed to find their way through by holding each other's hands. Raja then noticed a white boar running around. Due to curiosity, he started chasing the boar which suddenly disappeared into a bush. While searching for the boar, Raja Shibi encountered Markandeya rishi and Bhumi devi, both in deep penance. A celestial voice then  directed him to build a temple at Svetagiri where his army was camping. In fact, the voice further revealed that Mahavishnu would manifest at Svetagiri in fulfillment of his promise to Goddess Lakshmi.

* Once upon a time when [[Shibi Chakravarti (शिबिचक्रवर्तिः)|Shibi Chakravarti]] was ruling Ayodhya during Treta Yuga, inflamed with passion, he decided to wage war with Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. He arrayed a huge army to conquer Lanka. Leading the march and assembling a well-equipped army, he moved on his great chariot. The force he applied on his army to propel them was terrific to behold. However, when he reached Neelikavanam near Svetagiri, he was overcome by fatigue, hunger and thirst. The wind blew furiously, black clouds rolled one after another and rains began to lash incessantly. Streams started overflowing with cool and fragrant breeze blowing from all sides while, the trees danced along with the wind. Attracted by the scenic beauty, Raja Shibi decided to rest there for sometime with his army. After a while, they reached an orchard with small streams of crystal clear water. They managed to find their way through by holding each other's hands. Raja then noticed a white boar running around. Due to curiosity, he started chasing the boar which suddenly disappeared into a bush. While searching for the boar, Raja Shibi encountered Markandeya rishi and Bhumi devi, both in deep penance. A celestial voice then  directed him to build a temple at Svetagiri where his army was camping. In fact, the voice further revealed that Mahavishnu would manifest at Svetagiri in fulfillment of his promise to Goddess Lakshmi.

* 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 spiritual 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.

* 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" />

* 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" />

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Article needs attention]]