Thirumalaivaiyavoor

Madurantakam Vaishnavite Temples

God

Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, facing west

Goddess

Alarmelmangai Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Veera Anjaneya, Aadhi Varahar, Santhana Venugopalan, Aandal, Sudarsana Perumal, Ramanujar

Thirumalaivaiyavoor temple is located on a 800 feet hill that is reached by about 450 steps. The lord is in standing posture with the multi headed snake Aadisesha above his head. Thirumalaivaiyavoor is also called as Vaikundagiri, Dhakshina Garudagiri, Dhakshina Venkatagiri, Dhakshina Seshagiri, Varaaha Kshethram and Ramanuja Yogagiri. At the base is Veera Anjaneya shrine. Near this is a fused tree of Peepal, Neem and Vilwam. Below this among Naagar’s is Santhana Venugopalan.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Varaaha Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Ramanujar (11th Century CE) has visited this temple. King Aparajita Varma Pallava (880-897 CE) and Vijayanagar Kings (1336–1646 CE) are said to have served this temple.

Mythology

The lord of Thirupati is believed to have given darshan to Aadhisesha here. The lord of Thirupati is also said to have given Darshan to King Aparajita Varma Pallava, who constructed the Tirumala Tirupati temple, in a chariot driven by horses. The marks of the wheel and hooves are seen in some rocks here. Thirumalaivaiyavoor hill itself is believed to be a part that fell off the hill that Garuda was bringing to be kept in Thirupati. Anjaneya on his way to Srilanka with the Sanjeevani Hill is said to have rested here without keeping the hill on the ground and prayed to Aadhi Varahar. Hence the name is Thirumalai (Sanjeevani Hill) Vaiyavoor (place where not kept down). Another legend is connected to Brahma wherein he lit two jyotis at Tirumala (Tirupati) and prayed to Lord Vishnu for them not getting extinguished till the end of Kaliyuga (present age). The lord pleased, blessed him and said it will be so as long as the Jyoti form of him on Thiruvonam days in Thirumalaivaiyavoor exists. In exultation Brahma performed Brahmotsavam for the Lord in Tirupati.

Directions

About 7 kilometers after crossing the Paalar River Bridge towards Madurantakam take a right at the Padaalam Junction to the road going to the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. Thirumalaivaiyavoor is about 4 kilometers in this road and visible from a long distance. Vehicles can go up the hill to the temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. Chengalpet and Madurantakam are fine for simple food.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples