bhavat, Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur, Thiruvallur
bhavat, Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur, Thiruvallur

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur, Thiruvallur

Date built:9th century
Deity:Vishnu, Bhaktavatsala
Architectural style:Dravidian architecture
Major festivals–
Locale:Thiruninravur
District::Thiruvallur
Address:Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple,Thiruninravur – 602 024,
Tiruvallur District
Phone+91 44 5517 3417 / 2639 0434
 Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Thirunindravur near Chennai City in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Ennai Petra Thayar. Thirunindravur is also the home town of Pusalar, the Nayanar saint.
The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a five-tiered Rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This sthalam is under the control of Periya Jeeyar of Tirupathi – Tirumala. The Temple is situated very close to the Hridayaleeswarar Temple in Thiruninravur.

Architecture

The temple was built during the Pallava period of 9th century as seen from the various inscriptions in the temple. The earliest inscriptions of the temple are dated between 820 and 890 AD during the period of Nripatungavarman. There are inscriptions from the later Chola kings like Rajendra Chola II (1051–1063 AD), Vira Rajendra (1063–1070 AD) and Rajaraja Chola II (1146–1173 AD). The Pallava inscriptions mention this place as Ninravur and some of them quote it as Virudhurajabhayankar-chaturvertimangalam, a sub-division of Punarkottam.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 07.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 04.30 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.

Pooja Timings

  • Ushathkalam Pooja – 7 a.m.
  • Kalasanthi Pooja – 8:00 a.m.
  • Uchikalam Pooja – 12:00 p.m.
  • Sayarakshai Pooja – 6:00 p.m.
  • Irandamkalam Pooja – 7:00 p.m.
  • Ardha Jamam Pooja – 8:30 p.m.

Legend / Local stories

Thirunindravur:

Once, Mother Mahalakshmi (Tiru) left Perumal due to some reasons, came and stood (Nindra) here, hence, the place came to be known as Tiru Nindra Oor (place).  Her father Samudra Rajan (as Mahalakshmi was born in the milk ocean, the king of oceans-Samudra Rajan is her father) came to her, cooled her anger and asked her to go back to her Lord Perumal, she refused. The king of oceans went to Perumal and begged him to come and take back his daughter Mahalakshmi. Lord asked him to go before him and assured to follow him.

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Samudra Raja told Mahalakshmi that he was not her father but she was his “Ennai Petra Thayar” ‘You who gave me birth’ and requested her to come back to Vaikunta and rule the world.  Perumal too joined the compromise, Sri Mahalakshmi went back with Perumal. As Lord responded to the prayer of Bhakta (devotee) Samudra Rajan, He is called Bhaktavatsalan.  As Samudra Rajan said “Ennai Petra Thayar” that came to stay as the name of Mother of the temple.  Also, as prayed by Samudra Raja, they are gracing together in the Wedding Form.

Tirumangai Azhwar Paasurams:

Saint Tirumangai Azhwar was passing through many sacred Vaishnava shrines including Thiruninravur but did not sing on this temple.  Noticing that Azhwar bypassed this temple, Mother asked Lord to get a hymn from the Azhwar.  By the time Lord reached Azhwar, he was in Mamallapuram.  Lord demanded a song Azhwar from this place.  Excited by the simplicity and grace of the Lord, Azhwar sang meaning as follows: “My Lord, protecting the whole universe, came to me to make known his love for the Bhaktas at this sacred Mamallapuram.

He demanded and took a song from me.” Mother Mahalakshmi was not satisfied with one song.  She asked the Lord to go back to Azhwar for the remaining 9 songs as he used to sing 10 for all temples.  Azhwar has already left Mamallapuram and had reached Thirukkannamangai.  He saw Lord with a side look waiting for him and in the Pathigam (10 songs) on Thirukkannamangai Perumal, Azhwar included Thiruninravur Perumal also in the hymns.

Lakshmi Pooja:

As the name suggests, this is the temple for wealth, prosperity and all the wealth in the world. There is a nine-squared matrix drawn in front of the Ennai Petra Thaayar Sannathi as shown in the picture, which has specific numbers. By replicating this matrix in your pooja room and placing one-rupee coins (or any coins such as quarters if you are out of India) on each of the squares, and praying for nine days, it is proven that one’s prayers and wishes are granted. The pooja can be performed by drawing the Yantra in the pooja room on a flat surface using white Kolam powder or with the card that is sold in the temple.

Pooja should be done for nine days by placing one-rupee coins (any coins of same denominations) in each of the boxes, applying sandal paste, kumkum and flowers on the matrix and reciting the Lakshmi Ashtothra. The coins of the previous day are then removed and stored safely and new set of coins are used the next day. After completing nine days of pooja the 81 coins along with thambulam for nine sumangalis are taken to the temple.

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The temple priest places the coins at the Thayar’s feet and performs archana. The first Thambulam is then offered to the Goddess. After that, he gives the coins back to the devotee who then deposits the coins in the Hundi outside the shrine. The remaining thambulams are given to other women in the temple. It is preferable to start the pooja on Friday. If the Friday happens to be a full moon day, it is even more auspicious.

Lord Vishnu darshan to Varuna:

It is also said that the Perumal here is always giving dharshan to Lord Varuna.

Pallava King built this temple on Lord’s instruction:

Later days, with the divine instruction of the Lord, a Pallava King had constructed this temple and arranged for Brahmotsavam etc.

Kubera regained his Lost Wealth:

Kubera, the richest god, once lost his wealth and offered prayers to Goddess Ennai Petra Thayar or Sudhavalli and regained his lost wealth. Hence Thiruninravur Bhaktavatsala Temple is also called Sukra Kshetram (holy place of Venus, planet of good fortune) and Kubera Puram.

Dharamadvajan regained his Lost Wealth:

Another legend says that King Dharamadvajan, a descendent of the Surya clan, prayed here in Panguni (March-April) and regained his lost wealth.

Prayers

It is the faith of people that worshipping Sri Adisesha on Wednesdays with ghee lamp and offering milk porridge – Paal Payasam – as Nivedhana would relieve those affected with snake aspects and from the adverse effects of Rahu-Ketu planets. It also strengthens the benefit of the Mangal Sutra of women. Those facing problems in wedding proposals pray to Lord and Mother. Devotees offer Vastras to Perumal and Mother on realizing their wishes. Women come here to pray since Goddess Sudhavalli is believed to give longevity to their husband’s life. A visit to this temple is said to help people recover lost wealth/glory. So, devotees facing loss of wealth, property disputes and other money problems, visit this temple to regain their lost wealth and glory.

Photo Gallery

Festival

The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharatna. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:30 p.m.

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Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Bhaktavatsala Perumal and Sudhavalli Thayar. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.

Brahmotsavam during Panguni (March – April), Panguni Tiruvonam in March-April, birth star days of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas and 12 Azhwars, Chitra Poornima in April-May and Wedding festivals, Deepavali in October-November, Sri Jayanti Utsavam during Aavani, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Tiruadyana Utsavam during Margazhi (December – January), Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Masi Magam in February-March, Thai Pongal and Ratha Sapthami in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple. All full moon days, Tiruvonam star days, Fridays and Saturdays are special puja days in the temple.

How to Reach:

The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Thiruninravur Mettu Street Bus Stop, 100 meters from Thiruninravur Ramar Kovil Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Thiruninravur Railway Station, 18 Kms from Thiruvallur, 17 Kms from Thiruvallur Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy Temple, 15 Kms from Thirumazhisai, 11 Kms from Avadi, 35 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 37 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 33 Kms from Chennai Airport and 35 Kms from Chennai.

On the road from Chennai to Thiruvallur, (the MTH road or Chennai Anantapur road) proceed west from Padi till you cross Pattabiram. When you reach Thiruninravur you see the over bridge across the railway rack take a right turn and climb on the bridge and proceed south as you get down on the other side look for the temple on the second left road the road takes you right to the back of the temple.

You can also reach it from Thirumazhisai, one has to take right turn after Kalki Bhagwan ashram and Sriram Engg college and ask for the temple. From there Thiruninravur temple is about 4 Kms. Bus facilities are available from Chennai, Poonamallee and Thiruvallur. Buses 54A from Poonamallee, 71E from Parrys corner will take you to this Temple. All fast and normal EMU trains bound to Arakkonam, Thiruvallur, Thiruthani starting from Chennai Central and Chennai Beach halt at Thirunindravur railway station. Share autos are available from Thiruninravur railway station.

Contact Details

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple,
Thiruninravur – 602 024,
Tiruvallur District
Phone: +91 44 5517 3417 / 2639 0434
Mobile: +91 93805 16055 / 9840192735

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