Pundarikaksha Temple, Thiruvellarai – older than Srirangam Temple

Thiruvellarai Temple is one of the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Deshams and a part of the Cholanadu Divya Deshams around Srirangam. Thiruvellarai Temple is approximately 1.5 million years old, older than the Srirangam Temple. It is the divine abode of Lord Pundarikaksha Perumal also the homeland of many saints. Sri Ramanujacharya spent 12 glorious years here and was aided by Vishnuchittar for composing the Sribhashya.

Tiruvellarai in Tamil means the sacred white rock. This holy place is situated 100 feet high on the top of hillock, which is white in colour. This kshetra is also known as Shweta Giri, Adivellarai, Uthama Kshetra and Hita Kshetra. In the Hamsa Sandesham, Desikan glorifies this hill as the submerged white Kailasha Parvata slightly lifting its head like white-hued Adi Sesha.

The Advent of Tiruvellarai Temple

Lord Vishnu was contended with everyone’s prosperity due to Lakshmi Devi’s blessings. Being satisfied with this, a boon was granted to Her that; She would be given prominence over Him in a Kshetra on Bhuloka when He would give darshan to Sibi Maharaja.

When the demons terrorized the earth, the King of Ayodhya – Sibi Chakravarty of Surya Vamsha (seven generations before Lord Rama) went on a mission to eradicate them. When he was en-route Lanka to kill Ravana, he camped at this place. Suddenly his army was being perturbed by a white boar. Sibi Maharaja chased it to capture, but without success. Later the boar entered a pit near an ant hill. When the emperor chased it around the hill, he met Markandeya Rishi who was performing penances there. On narrating the incident to him, Markandeya Rishi appreciated the fortune of the King as Lord Varaha had given him darshan.

Pundarikaksha Perumal

On Markandeya Rishi’s advice, the King dissolved the ant hill with milk and the vigraha of Lord Pundarikasha Perumal was uncovered. Lord Narayana in the divine voice instructed the King to construct a temple for Him and return to Ayodhya. He would incarnate and kill Ravana. Maharaj Sibi followed the Lord’s instructions by constructing a grand temple and ploughed 5 pushkarinis for the worship of the Lord. He brought 3,700 Vaishnava families from Antarvedi (between Ganga and Yamuna) to perform the daily worship. Even today these brahmanas though dispersed to many places, are called as Tiruvellarai Srivaishnavas. Sri Ramanujacharya had taken 54 families from here to Tirunarayanapuram (Melukote) for Sri Cheluvanarayana’s worship.

As per the promise of Lord Narayana, Lakshmi Devi is given prominence in this temple. She holds a danda to signify this. Even during the festivals, Mother Lakshmi presides over Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal.

Temple Architecture

The temple complex surrounded by granite walls covers an area of 6.5 acres. It has got 5 prakaras. The current Pundarikakshan Temple is constructed by the Pallavas, later additions from the subsequent rulers from Chola, Pandyas, Hoysala and the Vijayanagara dynasties; as seen from the inscriptions on the rock-cut caves.

To reach the Raja Gopuram, one must ascend the first 18 steps which signify the chapters of Bhagavad-Gita; next 4 steps represent the Vedas. After that there are 5 steps representing the Pancha Bhutas. Ascending which one must cross the Nalikettan Vasal, finally reaching the last prakara which gives way to two entrances to the sanctum sanctorum. As one enters, one must ascend 8 steps which represent Ashtakshara Mantra, and 24 steps representing the sacred Gayatri Mantra. The 2 entrances are named as Uttarayana Vaasal and Dakshanayana Vaasal. The entrances are accessed according to the sun’s movement.

Uttarayana and Daskhinaya entrances of the temple sanctum

Darshan in the Mulasthanam

Pundarikaksha Perumal is seated under the Vimalakruti Vimanam. He is in a standing posture mercifully glancing at His devotees with Prayoga Chakra, Shankha, Abhaya Hasta and Gada. Surya and Chandra are fanning the Lord from behind, Garuda and Sesha are to the right and left respectively of the Lord. In the forefront one can have darshan of Markandeya Rishi and Bhudevi. The temple’s Bali Peetha is the exact spot where the vigraha of Pundarikaksha Perumal was unearthed.

Festivals celebrated in Tiruvellarai Temple

A grand Rathotsava festival is celebrated during the Tamil Chittirai Month (Mar-Apr) with great pomp and fervour.

How to Reach

The best way to reach Thiruvellarai Temple is to join our Cholanadu Divya Desham Yatra. For booking call 9844700850 / 9108332626.

Thiruvellarai Temple is well connected by road from major cities of India. It is in in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu.

By Road: The temple is well connected by road networks. There are regular bus services from Chennai, Tiruchirapalli and Bangalore. You may also book a cab at 9844700850.

By Flight: The nearest airport to Thiruvellarai Temple is Trichy airport, which is 100 Km away from the temple.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Thiruvellarai Temple Temple is Srirangam or Trichy railway station which is 3 Kms away from the temple.

Thiruvellarai Temple Timings

Thiruvellarai Temple housing Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal is open all the days from 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

The temple timings differ during the Dhanur-Masa.

PC: Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal, Temple Thiruvellarai, Trichy Dist.: JR Designs