TIRUVELLARAI BRAHMOTSAVAM

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This Divyadesam is located at a distance of 27 km from Tiruchirappalli, enroute

to Turaiyur. It also goes by the name Swetagiri. Both the tamil and the

sanskrit names refer to the hillock of white rock here. It is believed that in

terms of antiquity, this temple pre-dates the Srirangam temple and hence the

name Aadi Vellarai. Deities: Pundareekakshar, in a standing posture faces East.

Shenpakavalli, and Pankayachelvi are the names of his consort. There is a

separate shrine for Taayaar here. Pankajavalli is the name of her processional

image. The Temple: This is a vast temple, with imposing walls. The main shrine

has two entrances, referred to as the Uttarayana Vaayil and the Dakshinayana

Vaayil as in the Sarangapani temple at Kumbhakonam. As implied by their names,

the Uttarayana Vaayil is open from the Tamil month of Thai

(Capricorn) onwards, until the month of Aadi (Cancer) from when on, the

Dakshinayana Vaayil is used. In addition, the temple has another entrance

referred to as the 'Naazhi Kettaan Vaayil' where it is believed that Vishnu was

intercepted and questioned by his consort, upon his returning home later, after

his sojourn. Images of Sree Devi, Bhu Devi, Surya, Chandra and Aadiseshan (in

human form) are seen in the east facing sanctum. There are also shrines to

Krishna, Nammalwar, Nadamuni, Kulasekharalwar, Tondaradippodiyalwar, Aandaal,

Manavaala maamunigal and Ramanuja. The northern entrance of the temple is

adorned with an unfinished rajagopuram in the Hoysala idiom. There are as many

as 7 theerthams within the temple complex. Ramanujacharyar is said to have

lived here, and Manavalamaamuni and Desikacharyar have also sung of this

shrine. Uyyakkondaar a disciple of Nadamunigal is also associated with this

shrine. Legends: Legend has it

that Garudan, Markandeya, Lakshmi and Sibi Chakravarti offered worship here.

Legend has it that Vishnu blessed Markandeya, Bhudevi and Sibi Chakravarti 4

caturyugas ago (17.3 million years) Brahmotsavam schedule no. date

day morning evening 1

17/03/06 friday Dwajarohanam Tirucchivigai purappadu 2

18/03/06 saturday karpaga vriksham hanumanda vahanam 3

19/03/06 sunday Kollidam ezundarulal ---------------------------

4 20/03/06 monday ----------------------------- Garuda

sevai 5 21/03/06 tuesday Hamsa vahanam Sesha

vahanam 6 22/03/06 wednesday simha

vahanam Gaja vahanam 7 23/03/06 thursday Kalyana

utsavam Poon ther 8 24/03/06 friday Kuthirai

vahanam Kuthirai(vaiyali) 9 25/03/06 saturday

Ther(chariot) 10 26/03/06

sunday Serthi sevai(Gadyatriya sabdavaranam

gosti) 11 27/03/06 monday

Alum pallakku

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