Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram

Pon Varadaraja Perumal, Rasipuram

Vaishnavite Temples - Namakkal District

God

Pon Varadaraja Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Sreedevi and Bhoodevi along with the main deity, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Sundara Anjaneya, Pancha Mukha Anjaneya, Lakshmi Hyagrivar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Vinayaka, Vishnu Durga, Kubera, Chitraleka, Danvantri, Azhwars, Aandal, Ramanujar, Desikar

Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram is an old temple that is under large-scale renovation with contribution from a single donor. A 5 tiered Rajagopuram is at the eastern entrance. Before this is a stone Dwajasthambam and a beautiful installation of Vinayaka and Naagar. After the Rajagopuram is a large Mahamandapam with the sides open and having many pillars. This is followed by an Ardha Mandapam and the Sanctum Sanctorum where the lord is seen standing with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. A single prakaram houses all the shrines and the sanctum sanctorum. There are some beautiful idols on the Vimaanam. On the south side of the temple, a Goddess shrine and a large mandapam with huge pillars of Dasavatara carvings are coming up.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

An inscription belonging to 1231 CE of Rajaraja III (regnal years 1216 – 1246 CE) has been found here at Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram. This mentions the name of the place as Rajapuram which later transitioned to Rasipuram. The temple has been in existence even before the time of this inscription.

Legend

In the ancient days when these parts were full of forests traders passing by would offer gold coins to the lord here for their safe journey and good business. Thus the name of the lord here bacame Pon (gold) Varadaraja Perumal. There is also a legend of Padikasu Pulavar (17-18th Centuries CE) receiving gold coins from the lord here at Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram. It is also said that Saint Ramanujar visited Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram temple.

Directions

Pon Varadaraja Perumal Rasipuram is on the north side of the Rasipuram Railway Station. Rasipuram is about 25 kilometers south of Salem and about 28 kilometers north of Namakkal on the highway connecting these two towns.

Stay and Food

None locally except Tea and Snack shops. The closest is Salem or Namakkal depending on your travel plans.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples