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[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]

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. This also happens to be birthplace of one of the 12 Alwars of the Vaishnava tradition - Thirupanalwar, to whom a separate shrine is also dedicated.<ref name=":02">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>

{{NeedCitation}}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. This also happens to be birthplace of one of the 12 Alwars of the Vaishnava tradition - Thirupanalwar, to whom a separate shrine is also dedicated.<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|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.

The temple of Uraiyur is closely associated with [[Srirangam|Srirangam Ranganatha temple]] in its history. In fact, the utsava murthi (processional murti or vigraha) 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.

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" />

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" />

The story about how Mahavishnu came to reside here in Uraiyur is very interesting. It is said that,

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.

Once the Devas were unable to decide as to who among the three: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, 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.

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, Goddess Lakshmi wished to spend some time with her lord and thus, asked the rshi to leave Vaikuntha. As expected, Brghu got enraged and cursed Lakshmi that she would be born in Bhulok making her sad and inconsolable. However, the Lord pacified her with a promise to marry her when she comes of age in her mortal form.  

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, Goddess Lakshmi wished to spend some time with her lord and thus, asked the rshi to leave Vaikuntha. As expected, Brghu got enraged and cursed Lakshmi that she would be born in Bhulok making her sad and inconsolable. However, the Lord pacified her with a promise to marry her when she comes of age in her mortal form.  

In due course of time, in the month of Chaitra, a beautiful child was born at Nichilapuri on a Friday evening. The king named her Vasalakshmi. With time, as the girl came of age, Raja Dharmavarma arranged for her svayamvara. Several princes from neighboring kingdoms came for the svayamvara with love in their eyes and hope in their hearts. Lord Ranganatha also disguised as a Rajakumara sat in the Sabha Mandapa along with the other Princes waiting to fulfill his rendered promise. No sooner did Vasalakshmi enter the Mandapa, that with a single glance, she identified her Lord even from a distance as she realised him within her own heart. There was Joy everywhere and the king and the queen celebrated the wedding of Vasalakshmi under a pre-ordained union. Following the dream wedding of Vasalakhsmi, tears of joy rolled down the king's cheeks with the thought of having Goddess Lakshmi as his daughter and Lord Mahavishnu himself as his son-in-law. The Lord then blessed the king and the queen with the assurance of being with them always in the temple of Uraiyur.<ref name=":02" />  

In due course of time, in the month of Chaitra, a beautiful child was born at Nichilapuri on a Friday evening. The king named her Vasalakshmi. With time, as the girl came of age, Raja Dharmavarma arranged for her svayamvara. Several princes from neighboring kingdoms came for the svayamvara with love in their eyes and hope in their hearts. Lord Ranganatha also disguised as a Rajakumara sat in the Sabha Mandapa along with the other Princes waiting to fulfill his rendered promise. No sooner did Vasalakshmi enter the Mandapa, that with a single glance, she identified her Lord even from a distance as she realised him within her own heart. There was Joy everywhere and the king and the queen celebrated the wedding of Vasalakshmi under a pre-ordained union. Following the dream wedding of Vasalakhsmi, tears of joy rolled down the king's cheeks with the thought of having Goddess Lakshmi as his daughter and Lord Mahavishnu himself as his son-in-law. The Lord then blessed the king and the queen with the assurance of being with them always in the temple of Uraiyur.<ref name=":02" />  

== References ==

== References ==