Sri Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy Temple: The Divine Healer of Tiruvallur

 

Temple Overview

• Name: Arulmigu Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy Temple
• Location: Sannadhi Street, Adjacent to Temple Tank, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu 602001
• Architecture: Dravidian style with a seven-tiered Rajagopuram
• Temple Tank: Hritayathabhanasini Pushkarini, believed to cure ailments

Presiding Deities & Subshrines

• Main Deity:
• Sri Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy (a form of Vishnu in reclining posture on Adishesha)
• The Lord is revered as a divine healer—hence the title Vaidhya (physician)
• Consort:
• Kanakavalli Thayar (also known as Vasumathi or Kamalavalli Thayar)
• Subshrines include:
• Sage Salihotra (under the Lord’s right arm)
• Brahma (seated on a lotus from Vishnu’s navel)
• Garuda, Anjaneya, Alwars, and Desikan
• A Goshala (cow shelter) is also maintained within the temple premises

History & Significance

• Divya Desam: One of the 108 Divya Desams glorified in the Divya Prabandham by Alwars like Thirumangai and Thirumazhisai
• Mythological Origin:
• Sage Salihotra performed penance here, offering rice flour to a hungry guest—who revealed himself as Lord Vishnu.
• The Lord promised to reside here permanently and bless devotees with health and relief from suffering
• Historical Patronage:
• Originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century CE
• Later expanded by the Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks
• Inscriptions from the Chola period are found in the temple
• Spiritual Importance:
• The temple is known as Veekshaaranya Kshetram in the Puranas
• The sacred tank Hrith-Thaapa-Nasini is believed to cure both physical and mental ailments
• The Lord is also called Evvul Kidandhan and Kingrihesan,

Legends of the Temple

1. Sage Śalihotra’s Devotion

• The temple’s most revered legend comes from the Markandeya Purana.
• Sage Śalihotra, a devout Vishnu bhakta, lived in the forest of Veeksharanya (modern-day Tiruvallur).
• He ground rice daily, offering half to guests and consuming the rest.
• One day, Lord Vishnu appeared disguised as a hungry old man, asking for food. The sage offered all he had.
• The guest then asked for a place to rest. Śalihotra offered his humble hermitage.
• Pleased with his selflessness, Vishnu revealed his divine form and chose to remain there as Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy, blessing devotees with health and healing.

2. Marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu

• Another legend says Lakshmi was born as the daughter of King Dilipa of Dharmasenapura.
• Vishnu appeared in Tiruvallur to marry her, and the divine wedding took place here.

3. Victory Over Demons

• It is believed that Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitabha at this site.
• Hence, the temple’s vimānam is called Vijayakoti Vimanam, meaning “Victory Flag Tower”.

Architectural Highlights

• Style: Classic Dravidian architecture, with influences from the Pallavas, Cholas, and Thanjavur Nayaks
• Era: Originally built in the 8th century CE by the Pallavas; expanded by later dynasties
• Rajagopuram: A majestic seven-tiered gateway tower marks the entrance
• Sanctum:
• Lord Veeraraghava Swamy is in Bhujanga Sayanam (reclining posture) on Adisesha, facing east
• His right hand blesses Sage Śalihotra, and the left hand is in Jnana Mudra, teaching Brahma
• Temple Tank:
• The sacred Hritayathabhanasini Pushkarini lies to the west
• Believed to be more potent than the Ganga for curing ailments
• Granite Enclosure: The temple is enclosed within a high granite wall, housing all shrines
• Subsidiary Shrines: Include Garuda, Anjaneya, Alwars, and Desikan
• Goshala: A well-maintained cow shelter within the premises

Daily Rituals (Nitya Poojas)

The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama tradition and conducts six daily rituals, each with deep spiritual significance:

Ritual Name	Timing	Description
Ushathkalam	6:00 AM	Early morning awakening and purification of the deity
Kalasanthi	8:00 AM	Morning pooja with alankaram, naivedyam, and deepa aradhana
Uchikalam	12:00 PM	Midday offering and aradhana
Sayarakshai	6:00 PM	Evening pooja with lamp offerings and recitation of Vedic hymns
Irandamkalam	8:00 PM	Night pooja with food offerings and lullaby hymns
Ardha Jamam	9:00 PM	Final ritual of the day; deity is symbolically put to rest

Each ritual includes:

• Alankaram (decoration)
• Naivedyam (food offering)
• Deepa Aradhana (lamp waving)
• Veda Parayanam (chanting of Vedic hymns)

Major Festivals

1. Chittirai Brahmotsavam (March–April)

• The most prominent festival of the temple
• Celebrated for 10 days with grandeur
• Includes Dwajarohanam, Garuda Seva, Rathotsavam (chariot festival), and Theppotsavam (float festival)
• Thousands of devotees participate in the Garuda Vahanam and Yanai Vahanam processions

2. Theppotsavam (Float Festival)

• Held in the Hrithayathabhanasini Pushkarini
• The deity is taken on a decorated float around the temple tank
• Symbolizes the Lord’s cosmic journey and blessings to devotees

3. Vaikunta Ekadasi (December–January)

• Celebrated with special darshan through the Paramapada Vasal
• Marks the opening of the gates to Vaikunta (heaven)
• Devotees fast and chant Vishnu Sahasranamam

Other Observances

• Thai Amavasya: Highly auspicious; linked to the legend of Sage Śalihotra’s penance
• Pavitrotsavam: Annual purification ritual for correcting lapses in daily worship
• Sravana Nakshatram: Monthly special pooja for Lord Vishnu
• Saturdays & Ekadasis: Attract large crowds for special archanas and abhishekams

Beliefs

Core Beliefs and Devotee Faith

Divine Healer – Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy

• The Lord is worshipped as a divine physician (Vaidhya), believed to cure physical and mental ailments.
• Devotees take a ritual bath in the Hrithayathabhanasini Pushkarini (temple tank) before offering prayers, believing it purifies the body and soul.
• Many offer prayers for recovery from chronic illnesses, and some even perform votive rituals after healing.

Power of Penance and Selflessness

• The legend of Sage Śalihotra, who fasted and offered all he had to a hungry guest (Lord Vishnu in disguise), emphasizes:
• Selfless service
• Hospitality as a sacred duty
• The power of devotion over ritual opulence

Relief from Karma and Suffering

• The Lord is believed to relieve devotees from karmic burdens and grant peace of mind.
• The temple is often visited by those seeking:
• Relief from family disputes
• Mental clarity
• Spiritual healing

Sacred Geography – Veeksharanya Kshetram

• The temple is located in what the Puranas call Veeksharanya, a forest sanctified by sages.
• The name “Thiru Evvul” (from “Kim Griham?” meaning “Where shall I stay?”) reflects the Lord’s choice to reside permanently here to bless devotees.

Pushya Amavasya Significance

• The Pushya Amavasya day (new moon in the Pushya star) is considered highly auspicious.
• It marks the day Sage Śalihotra completed his penance and the Lord appeared to him.
• Devotees observe fasting, holy dips, and special poojas on this day for spiritual merit and healing.

Scriptural Reference

Divya Prabandham

• The temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the sacred Tamil hymns of the Alwars.
• Specifically praised by:
• Thirumangai Alwar
• Thirumazhisai Alwar
• It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, making it a vital pilgrimage site for Sri Vaishnavas.

Markandeya Purana

• The legend of Sage Śalihotra and the Lord’s appearance in the forest of Veeksharanya is detailed in the Markandeya Purana.
• This Purana narrates how the sage’s devotion led to Vishnu manifesting as Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy, promising to reside there and heal devotees.

Other Literary Mentions

• Nilakanta Dikshitar and Ramalinga Adigalar composed verses in praise of the deity.
• Ramalinga Adigalar wrote the “Pottri Panchangam” after being cured of a chronic stomach ailment at this temple.

Temple Hours

Session	Timing
Morning Opening	6:00 AM
Viswaroopa Darshan	6:00 AM – 6:30 AM
Morning Darshan	6:30 AM – 7:30 AM & 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Temple Break	12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Evening Darshan	4:00 PM – 6:30 PM & 7:15 PM – 8:00 PM
Thiruvaradhanam	8:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Mansa Seva (Bedtime)	9:00 PM
Closing Time	9:00 PM

Special Timings on Amavasya (New Moon Day)

Session	Timing
Early Opening	5:00 AM
Morning Darshan	5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Uchikala Pooja	1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Afternoon Darshan	1:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Closing Time	8:30 PM

Note: Timings may vary on festival days and during special rituals like Thirumanjanam.

Getting Here

By Train

·         Nearest Railway Station: Tiruvallur Railway Station (TVL)

o    Just 1 km from the temple

o    Well-connected by Chennai Suburban EMU trains from:

§  Chennai Central

§  Chennai Egmore

§  Thiruninravur

§  Arakkonam

·         From the station, you can take an auto-rickshaw or walk to the temple

By Bus

·         Tiruvallur Bus Stand is about 1.5 km from the temple

·         Buses from Chennai Koyambedu (CMBT) and Poonamallee frequently stop at Tiruvallur

By Road

·         From Chennai: Approx. 45 km via NH716 (Chennai–Tirupati Highway)

·         From Tirupati: Approx. 95 km

·         Parking is available near the temple, especially around the temple tank area

Nearest Airport

·         Chennai International Airport (MAA) – about 50 km from the temple

·         From the airport, you can hire a cab or take a train to Tiruvallur

Tips

Early morning (6:00–8:00 AM) or evening (4:00–6:30 PM) for peaceful darshan

Amavasya (New Moon) and Pushya Nakshatram days are spiritually powerful but crowded

Chittirai Brahmotsavam and Vaikunta Ekadasi draw large crowds—arrive early

Take a holy dip in the Hrithayathabhanasini Pushkarini before darshan for spiritual and health benefits

Wear traditional attire (veshti/saree preferred); avoid shorts or sleeveless clothing

Free darshan and special paid darshan options available

Queue system is well-managed even during peak days

Senior citizens and differently-abled devotees are given priority access

Popular offerings include Tulasi garlands, butter lamps, and prasadam donations

You can book archanas, abhishekams, and annadanam through the official temple website