DHINAM ORU KOVIL -10

SRI.PUNDARIKAKSHA PERUMAL KOVIL, TIRUVELLARAI,TRICHY Dt.

This temple of Lord Vishnu is situated in Tiruvellarai, on the TRICHY-THURAIYUR Road
at about 25 kms from TRICHY City. The presiding deity is Sri. Pundarikakshan and
thayar Sri.Shenbagavalli. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam and Theerthams are
Kusa,Manikarnika,Chakra,Pushkala,Varaha Gandha and Padma. The temple is 2000
years old. But the deity, it is said, is so ancient that it belongs to KRITHA
yugam,that is, prior to Ramayana period ( Thretha yugam ) and hence much older
than Sri.Renganathar of SRIRANGAM.
Lord of the temple is praised in the Prabandam hymns of saint Periazhwar and the Mangalasasanam
hymn of saint Tirumangai Azhwar. Being one of the 108 famous Vaishnava Divya Desas, this is the
birth place of Saint Uyyakondan Engal Azhwan.

The temple is on a hill of white rocks (Vellai parai in Tamil) 50 feet tall, hence the name Vellarai
with the respectful prefix Thiru Tiruvellarai. The front Gopuram-tower is in an incomplete
stage. A Yogi, Pundarikakshan by name cultivated a flower garden Nandavanam, grew Tulsi
plants and worshipped Perumal and Mother. Perumal, pleased with the bhakti of Pundarikakshan
blessed him with His darshan. Perumal also came to be known as Pundarikaksha Perumal. There
are two entrances to the sanctum sanctorum, the Dakshinayana entrance open from Aadi to Margazhi
Tamil months covering from July-August to December-January and the second Utharayana open from
the Tamil months Thai to Aani covering January-February to June-July. Emperor Shibi, Sage Markandeya,
Lord Brahmma and Lord Shiva and Garuda Bhagwan worshipped Lord Pundarikaksha in this temple. It
was a period in South India when hands of demons were up and strong. Emperor Shibi, with his vast
army came here to destroy them and protect the people. On their way, a white swine appeared before
the army and created troubles. The army with all its might could not succeed in capturing the
animal. Even the emperor could not succeed. When he chased the animal around the hill, he saw sage
Markandeya performing penance there and explained his experience. The sage told the emperor that
he was too lucky that the Lord had come before him in the form of Varaha-swine while he (sage) was
toiling to have the darshan of the Lord. The sage also advised the emperor to perform abishek to the
ant-hill there with milk. Emperor Shibi did so and to the delight of all, Lord Narayana granted darshan
to all. Markandeya asked him to build a temple for the Lord who granted him darshan.
I have visited this temple 3 or 4 times.