Hindu Temples

Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple – Tiruputkuzhi, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Rama, Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divyadesams sanctified by the Azhwars, is located at Tiruputkuzhi (Thiruputkuzhi / Thirupputkuzhi), about 7 miles west of Kanchipuram and half a kilometre from Baluchetti Chattiram, which lies on the Chennai – Vellore highway. The main deity (Moolavar) is Vijayaraghava Perumal and his consort is Maragathavalli Thayar.

Thiru refers to a holy site, pul refers to a bird (Jatayu), and kuzhi is a pit (the pit where Lord Rama performed the final funeral rites for Jatayu (Jadaayu).

When Rama left for the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, Sita fell in love with the magical deer (maaya maan) Maareechan.  While Rama had gone in search of the deer, Sita was cunningly abducted by Ravana (Raavanaa). Jatayu fought bravely with Ravana, trying to save Sita Devi.  In the fight, Ravana cut off his wings, and the wounded Jatayu informed Rama and Lakshmana about the plight of Sita and gave up his life.  Lord Rama performed the funeral rites for Jatayu in a pit. Jatayu theertham in the temple is said to have been created by Lord Rama in order to get the required water to perform the last rites.

Tarpanam is performed by devotees at this temple on new moon day.

Vijayaraghava Perumal is seen with four hands, in a seated posture holding Jatayu on his lap. Sridevi is usually depicted to the right of the Lord. But, as a unique feature, she is seen to the left of the Lord. It is believed that Sridevi could not bear the heat of the flames during the rites and therefore moved to the Lord’s left side. Thaayar shrine is therefore seen to the left of the Lord and Andal’s sannidhi is on the right.

A special feature in the temple is the stone sculpture of the horse. The utsavar’s vahanam is jointed so that the limbs can be moved as if in motion.  The sculptor vowed that this vahanam would remain unique to this temple and that he would not create another, although there were requests from several temples. To honour the sculptor, every year, on the 8th day of the utsavam (temple festival), the utsavar mounted on the horse vahanam is taken through the street named after the sculptor. Unfortunately, the limbs are no longer workable.

Another unique and astonishing feature is that the Goddess is said to have made fried pulses germinate at this sthalam.  Women wishing for an offspring pray to the Gods, take a dip in the holy Jatayu theertham, tie fried pulses in their saree pallav and spend the night at the temple.  In the morning, if the pulses germinate, they believe that their wish will be fulfilled.

Tiruputkuzhi is believed to be the birthplace of Yadava Prakaasa, the teacher of Vaishnava saint Ramanuja (Raamaanujaa).  There is a sannidhi for Ramanuja in this temple.

The temple was originally built by the Pandyas, and later the Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks added to the site. With a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower), the shrines are enclosed within a granite wall.