The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the Medieval Cholas, with later expansion from Pandyas, Hoysala Empire and Vijayanagara Empire. The temple has fifty inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120), Vikrama Chola (1118–1135), Rajaraja Chola III (1216–1256), Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251–1268), Vikrama Pandya, Vira Pandya III, Vijayanagar king Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542 CE) and Koperunjinga.
A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower has five tiers and raises to a height of 60 ft (18 m). Though the presiding deity is Devanathaswamy, the temple is known for Hayagriva, the horse faced avatar of Vishnu. The temple is the only historical temple in South India to have a shrine of Hayagriva.
Devanathaswamy is believed to have appeared to Adisesha (the sacred serpent of Vishnu), sage Markandeya and Hindu god Indra. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
History
This temple is held in high esteem and veneration by devotees because of the special association of the great Vaishnavite Acharya SRI NIGAMANTHA MAHA DESIKA born in 13 th century. Sri Desika chose to stay here for about 40 years magnetized by the divine beauty of the Presiding Deity of this ancient temple and the place. It was here in OUSHADAGIRI (HILLOCK) Sri Desika performed penance to invoke GARUDA for initiation into HAYAGRIVA MANTRA when the scholar flourished to full divinity to become the peerless NIGAMANTHA MAHA DESIKA. It is the glory of this place that there is a temple to Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva (Mahavishnu with horse face) in the Hill which is not found anywhere else in the country . The Lakshmi Hayagriva is the Lord for Gananam.
Arulmigu Desikan, the Kandaavatharam of Thirivengadamudaiyan appeared in Thoopul near Kanchipuram. There is a belief that Arulmigu Desikan, lived in Thiruvanheedirepuram for 40 years. Hayagrivar Archamoorthy, the Garuda bhagavan gave the required things and blessed him. Arulmigu Hayagrivar appeared before Arulmigu Desikan and thought the all Vedasasthirams in Oushadagiri (hillock). Even now we can see the Lord Hayagrivamoorthy, the God that Maha Desikan worshipped in Arulmigu Devanatha shrine. We can see the Thirumaligai of Maha Desikan and the well made by lord Desikan in this temple. Maha Desikan was known as Sarvathanthira Suthathirar by arguing with the sculptor Rajan and made his own sculputer. Every year during the month of Puratasi (September-October) a festival is conducted for Maha Desikan. During this festival, Maha Desikan is taken to the Lord Hayagrivar shrine on the day when the Lord Hayagrivar appeared before Maha Desikan and this day was known as Thiruvona day.
During the war between Rama and Ravna, Anumar took a part of Sanjeevi Mountain and when he saved the Deavars, a part of sanjeevi mountain fell down on a place and this place was known as Oushadagiri. Oushadagifi was also known as Sanjeevi Mountain and there is a temple in the foot of this mountain. The Anjeneyar in this temple was also known as Sanjeevi Rajan. In the top this montain Thirumal with Thirumagal are blessing the devotees as Hayagriver (with the face of the Horse). Lord Hayagriver had also advised Goddess Sarasvathi, the god of education regarding the manthras. Hayagrivar was also known as Vidyamoorthy.
The Hayagriver temple in this mountain is the oldest one. There are 74 steps in the path to the temple from the bottom. In the recent year ‘Paddi festival' is clebrated on the independence day of India(August 15th).In the year of 1998 Kumbabhisegam was performed in Arulmigu Hayagreeva Temple.
H.R.C.E conducted Kumbabhisegam.
H.R.C.E conducted Kumbabhisegam.
Vadaloor Ramalinga Adigal has sanctified the Lord Raman in this temple as ‘Vevvinai' Theertharulhindra Rama' in his hymns.
Specialities of the Temple
Thiruvaheendirapuram the Sacred Abode of Lord Devanatha, is one of the ancient-vadakalai. Vaishnavite temples and also one of the 108 Vaishnavite shrines sanctified by the visit of the great Alwars and Acharyas, held in great reverence by the devotees. Thiruvaheendirapuram is the 72 shrine out of 108 Vaishnavite shrines. The Alwars who has sung about this celestial place is Sri Thirumangai Mannan, otherwise known as Sri parakala. This place is one of the two Nadunattu Thirupathis.
Sanctum Sanctorum
Here the Lord gives Darsan in standing posture as Devanatha , in sitting posture as Ahindrapuranatha and in Sayana Tirkolam (Lying posture) as Pallikondanathar. There are separate shrines within this temble for Sri Rama Sri Rajagopalan, Sri Venugopalan, Sri Andal, and Sri Chakraathalavar, Sri hayagreeva and also for Alwars and Desika.
In scripts: This village played no mean part in Indian History. The Hindu and Vijayanagar periods are represented in the inscriptions in this temple. From the inscriptions here we learn the fluctuating fortunes of the Chola Pandia and the Pallavas. There are inscriptions of Kulothunga-1, Vikrama Chola, Raja Raja III and Sundara Pandia about the gift of lands, money and sheep etc, to the temple and also about construction of Gopuram (Tower) in the regime of Kopperanjingadeva. It is learnt that in the middle of 18 th century the English and french were at war within the reaches of this village and at the time of Gurudotsavam in the temple.
Holy Theertham & Sacred Tree
This ancient temple is situate in between the sacred (OUSHADHAGIRL(HILL) and GARUDANATHI (river Gadilam), which is considered to be as Holy as River Ganges as it flows towards North in this sacred place, befitting its name UTHARAVAHINI.
Sthala viruksha in this place is Vilva Tree. Vimanam-Suththa Saththuva Vimanam.
Car procession
In the Chithirai month, on Chirthirai New moon day Car procession is conducted to Devanathan.
On this day thousands of devotees participate and get the blessings of Lord Devanathan.
Devotees come here with their grievances and prayer. If the devotees put milk,in the “theerthakinaru' namely SHESHA THEERTHAM. Thier needs wills be fulfilled. The Graruda river flows in the west of this temple.from south to north called "UTTHARAVHINI" If the devotees take a dip in this river. It is equal to a person taking a dip at the Holy river Ganges .
Legend
The temple finds mention in Brahmanda Purana, Naradiya Purana and Skanda Purana. According to the accounts, a group of sages wanted to have a sacred view of Vishnu and went all the way to Thiruparkadal, the Ocean of Milk. They could not view Vishnu there and went all the way to Vaikunta, the heavenly abode of Vishnu. The guardians there stated that they could meet Vishnu only in a place close to the seashore north of Kumbakonam, south of Tirupathi and west of Kanchipuram. When the sages reached there, they found sage Markandeya and his daughter Bhudevi were doing penance. They could view Mahavishnu in resplendent form with his weapons Sudarshana (wheel), Panchajanya (conch) and Kaumodaki gracing his arms.
As per another legend, Vishnu handed the job of obtaining the pure water of lake Vraja Theertha located in the nether world to Garuda, the eagle vahana. Garuda reached the nether world and secretively obtained the water from the lake, without the knowledge of the sage, who established the lake. The sage came to know about it and cursed the water to turn impure. Garuda then pleaded with the sage indicating the orders of Vishnu. The elongated transaction delayed the proceedings and Vishnu established a tank with water from other sources. Garuda was highly aggrieved and felt for his guilt. Vishnu appeased him saying that he would establish a river, which is believed to be the Kedilam river. A ceremonial bath is celebrated annually to commemorate the event.
Festivals
Chitirai(April-May) month - The Full moon day is taken as 10 tth day festival to Devanathan promotsavam Car Festival
Vaihashi(May-June)month - To Devanathan a 10 days Vasantha festival is celebrated
Aani(June-July)month - On full moon day Nellikuppam Thoppu Ursavam is conducted
Aadi(July-August)month - Aadi pooram or Andal Tirukalyana Ursavam is conducted
Avani(August-September) month - Thiruvona natchathiram as the 10 th day to Hayagrivar 10 days Taking urchavam is conducted
Puratasi(Seprember-October)month - Navarathiri festival to Thayar, taking Thiruvona day as the 10 th day to Sri Desikan promotsavam is conducted.like sri devanatha promotsavam and car festival is conducted. On the 10 th day in the early morning on Owsha Giri Arulmighu Desikan will give his blessings in Hayagrivar shrine special pooja is conducted
Iyppasi(October-November)month - Dolai Festival for Rama Perumal&Desikar
Karthikai(November-December)month - Vishnu Deepam is conducted
Markazhi(December-January)month - Dhiyana Urchavam is celebrated. Before and after Vaigunda Ekadesi 10 days festival is celebrated. On Bohi festival Arulmighu Tharangamuhanandhini Thirukalyana Urchavam is celebrated
Thai(January-February)month - Pongal and Mattu Pongal Urchavams is celebrated. God Devenatha is taken to Pennai river (Nanthapattu Thurai) for Theerthavari
Masi(Februar-March)month - Masi maham fesival is celebrated at Bay of Bengal
Panguni (March-April)month - On Taking 10 day Navami as the last to Arulmighu Rama navami-Arulmighu Ramam Urchavam is celebrated. Yukathi Festival is conducted, Panguni Uthiram is also celebrated. On other weeks, Paksha, Masa, Ayana, Vishu festivals is also celebrated. On festivals “Alangarapiriyan” is seen in this Thirupathi
No comments:
Post a Comment