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→Legend: Edited
[[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.<ref name=":02">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
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 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.
This curse and the lord's promise took effect during the time of Raja Dharmavarma of the Ikshvaku race living in Chola region. While on a hunting expedition, the Raja saw a group of rshis engrossed in deep penance. Allured by their presence and the peaceful surroundings, he built a small hamlet and named it after his queen as Nichilapuram. He also made sure to keep the rshis well protected. The Raja's benevolence earned him the compassion of the Rshis who gave him the blessing to obtain good progeny. For this purpose, he was asked to pray to Goddess Lakshmi, the mother of the world (lokamata) and assured him that she herself would be born as his daughter. He took it to be God's will and performed the Laksha Tantra Yajna. Pleased with his piety Sri Lakshmi manifested herself before the royal couple and promised to fulfill their wishes. The joy of the king and the queen knew no bounds and their repeated singing of the Goddess Sridevi's name echoed all over the land.
This curse and the lord's promise took effect during the time of Raja Dharmavarma of the Ikshvaku race living in Chola region. While on a hunting expedition, the Raja saw a group of rshis engrossed in deep penance. Allured by their presence and the peaceful surroundings, he built a small hamlet and named it after his queen as Nichilapuram. He also made sure to keep the rshis well protected. The Raja's benevolence earned him the compassion of the Rshis who gave him the blessing to obtain good progeny. For this purpose, he was asked to pray to Goddess Lakshmi, the mother of the world (lokamata) and assured him that she herself would be born as his daughter. He took it to be God's will and performed the Laksha Tantra Yajna. Pleased with his piety Sri Lakshmi manifested herself before the royal couple and promised to fulfill their wishes. The joy of the king and the queen knew no bounds and their repeated singing of the Goddess Sridevi's name echoed all over the land.
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, Dharmavarma arranged for a
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" />
with love in their eyes and hope in their hearts. Lord Ranganatha disguised as
a Rajakumara was seated in the SabhaMandap along with the other Princes. No sooner
Vasalakshmi entered the Mandap, at a single glance, she identified her Lord and
even from a distance, she realised him within her own heart. Joy permeated 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
Lord as his son-in-law. The Lord blessed the king and the queen and assured
them that he would always be with them at Uraiyur. This is the birthplace of
== References ==
== References ==