Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai

Vaishnavite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Jeganatha perumal, facing east

Goddess

Thirumangaivalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Ganesa, Aandal, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Manavala Mamunigal, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Vaishnavi

Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai Temple is a beautiful east facing temple with a 5 tier rajagopuram, 2 prakarams and a large temple pond to the east. Tirumazhisai Alwar was born here and there is a separate shrine near the lord for him. Lord Ganesha here is seen with Rahu and Kethu depicted in his belly.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brigu theertham

Holy Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Parijatham (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)

Vimaanam – Jeganatha Vimaanam

History

Stone inscriptions at Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai temple mentions donation and maintenance records of Kulothunga Chola (1178-1218 CE), Kopperunchingan (1243-1261 CE), Vijayakanda Gopalan (1250-1280 CE), Ariyanna Udayar (1376-1404 CE) and Virupatchan (1465-1485 CE). The place was called Chathurvedi Mangalam from the inscriptions pertaining to 1178-1218 CE. It has been called as Thirumazhisai Agaram in 13th Century CE.

Legend

Lord Jagannatha appears here in sitting posture whereas in Puri and Thirupullani he is in standing and reclining postures respectively. Hence Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai is considered as Madhya Jagannatham.

Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati noticed Thirumazhisai Azhwar in penance here and engaged him in dialogue which turned out into a debate. Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with the title ‘Baktha Sara’. He was secular towards Saivism and Vaishnavism in those ancient days itself and sang hymns for both.

Sages Brighu and Markandeya have worshiped here. This place is called Magisaram as it is considered to have the glory of the entire world in it. Sages Athiri, Brighu and Bhargava were advised by Lord Brahma on their request to conduct their penance here after weighing this place and the entire world in a scale provided by the divine sculptor Maayan. Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai is believed to have over weighed the World!

Directions

Tirumazhisai is on the road to Tiruvallur just after Poonamallee. Take a left opposite the Siva temple on the main road and drive for about half a kilometer to reach Jeganatha Perumal Thirumazhisai.

Stay and Food

None locally. Motel highway on the Bangalore Highway is a good place to eat.

Vaishnavite