Fw: TIRUKKOILUR- Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

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" suresh krishna " <sknaa wrote:

To:sknaa <sknaa

" suresh krishna " <sknaa

Date:30 May 2001 12:51:45 -0000

Subject:TIRUKKOILUR- Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

 

TIRUKKOILUR- Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

 

This temple is dedicated to Sri Trivikrama - Ulagalanda Perumal, the fifth

incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is situated on the southern bank of

Krishnabhadra in South Arcot district of Tamilnadu. This temple tower is one of

the tallest, measuring 192 feet in height. The Alwars Poigaialwar, Boodathalwar

& Peiyalwar sang in praise of Lord Vishnu which formed the integral part of the

Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

One of the special features is that one idol contains the forms of two Gods -

front side as Chakratalwar with sixteen hands and the back side as Narasimhar.

 

Bali, the powerful asura king who was the great grandson of Hiranyakasibu had

conquered the three worlds, but in spite of

being an asura, he ruled his land and people with justice. Even though Bali was

just, Indralogam had to be returned to the Devas, who felt humiliated at the

loss of their kingdom. Lord Vishnu could not fight so virtuous a king, and

therefore he took the guise of a Brahmin boy. Bali was performing a yagna and

for the success of the yagna he had to provide anything that a brahmin seeks.

Lord Vishnu in his Vamanavataram begged for just three feet of land. This

request was considered funny, for three steps of Vamana's feet would measure

upto a very small piece of land only. Bali humbly requested him to ask for

something better which he would grant. But Vamana insisted on his three feet of

land. To the astonishment of all present, Lord Vishnu as Vamana began to grow

to a great height and with one step he covered the whole earth, with his second

step he covered the entire sky and region above. With the entire universe

covered, Bali had no more land to offer. He bowed down in front of the Lord &

offered his head for the third step. Lord Vishnu had thus regained the power

from the asura king. Being extremely pleased with the virtuosity of an asura

king, he placed his foot on his head and sent him to rule over the lower

regions. Vishnu is worshipped as Trivikramar or Ulagalanda Perumal. There are

shrines to this avataram of Vishnu at Tirukkoyilur and at Kanchi (Ulagalanda

Perumal).

 

Mrikanda Maharishi was engaged in severe penance & failed to get darshan of Lord

Vishnu in his Viratrupam. He did sever penance & on Lord Brahma's advice

reached Krishnaranya & continued his severe penance. Lord Vishnu gave him

darshan in his Viratrupam. This accounts for the Trivikrama image here raising

the right leg above the ground. The presiding deity is seen worshipped by

Brahma on the right side and on the left by Mrikanda Maharishi, Namachu, Garuda,

Ananta, Vishaksvena ad a host of other celebrated saint poets. The Lord is

holding the conch in his right hand, instead of the chakram, as if he were

blowing on the conch after his victory over Mahabali.

 

From inscriptional evidence it is seen that the temple was constructed &

maintained by the Pallava kings & later by the Vijayanagara rulers. From the

sixteenth century onwards the temple administration has been in the hands of the

Jeers. Emperumanar Jeer & his successors have launched several renovation

programme, mainly concerning Towers.

 

The temple is surrounded by high rise compound wall. The tower opposite the

Rajagopuram measures 192 feet in height with intricate sculptural wonders. The

idol of Tirvikramar in the standing posture, with one raised leg, surrounded by

worshipping idols. The idols are made of wood & it is indeed a wonder, that

though centuries have passed, the idols still appear fresh & bright in a well

preserved state. The Thayar is called Poongovil, enshrined in a huge mandapam

of great structural beauty. Goddess Durga, usually seen in Saiva temples, is

considered the custodian of the temple worshipped with great devotion.

 

Devout Hindus offer pindas and arrange samaradhanas on large scale at his place.

There are several sacred thirthas around this temple. One of them is the Chakra

Thirtha. It is believed that Brahma washed the feet of Trivikrama with water

from his kamandalam. This water is said to have collected in a pool called

Chakra Thirtha. According to tradition, Agasthya bathed in this thirtha before

the commencement of his dirghatapas to get the darshan of Lord Trivikrama.

Bathing in the waters of this thirtham is considered very sacred, especially in

the Tamil month Ani.

 

Some of the other thirthas are

Mrikanda thirtham - bathing here blesses one with health, wealth, strength,

money, fame, power and above all with offspring.

Kalava thirtham - situated on the south-west of the main temple, the water is

always pure, clear, sweet and sparkles like crystal, purging off sins instantly.

Varaha Thirtham - Parasuramar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is said to have

bathed in these holy waters to atone his sins of having killed the kshatriyas.

Pindasthanam & Runavimochanam - famous for offering pindas.

Akasaganga Brahma is said to have done penance here & got the darshan of

Trivikramar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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