The 63rd Divya Desam amongst the 108 is in modern day Thiruvalur or as it is known Thiruevvulur. The Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal Kovil is the one that sparked our interest in the 108 Divya Desams. The first time we visited this temple was on May 12, 2022. Krishnan had a bad round of Psoriasis with no solution in sight.
That’s when Sri, our dear friend, told us about this temple. When we came for my cousin’s son’s Upanayanam, we came in a day earlier and went to visit this temple. We again visited on Jan 29, 2024 to say our thank you to Perumal as HE cured Krishnan of the Psoriasis. HE worked through our homeopathy doctor, Dr. Balraj Gandhi, a total magician who identified the root cause of the Psoriasis.
Sthala Puranam – Vaidya Veeraraghava Perumal Kovil
- The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas during the 8th century.
- There are inscriptions dating back to the later half of the 9th century Pallava dynasty reign here.
- Local folklore claims that the temple is around 5000 years old. Am more inclined to believe the local folklore. Am sure the Pallavas built several Sannidhis and added to the structure.
Legends Associated with the temple
- According to legend, the temple was built by the mythical king Muchukunda after he was cured of his disease by Bhagwan Vishnu.
- The temple is also associated with Ramayana, as it is said to be the place where Bhagwan Rama performed the last rites for Jatayu, the eagle that was killed by Ravana while trying to protect Ma Sita. So much for the North-South divide :):).
- The temple is also known for the legend of Amirta Mandapam, where it is believed that the divine serpents Adishesha and Takshaka performed penance to get rid of their curses.
- Sri Tondaradippodi Alvar was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, and he used to collect flowers from a garden to offer to the deity at the Veeraraghava Swamy Temple. One day, he noticed that the flowers he collected had some insects in them. Not wanting to offer impure flowers to the Lord, he decided to clean the flowers by putting them on his head and letting the insects crawl out. As he was doing this, he heard someone calling his name. When he turned around, he saw Lord Vishnu himself standing there. The Lord was impressed by Sri Tondaradippodi Alvar’s devotion and appeared before him to bless him.
Salihotra Muni
The wandering sage Salihotra Muni visited this sacred place, bathed in the temple tank on Thai Amavasai day and performed penance. He had been fasting and he kept a small portion of food for himself and a portion for anyone who would come asking. An old man came to visit him and ate the portion offered to him first and then asked for more. Salihotra Muni gave the old man, the balance food and went empty stomach himself.
Then the old man asked for a place to rest and when Salihotra Muni says please rest in my hut – the old man asks “evvul” which means – inside or outside ? The sage immediately understood that it was Bhagwan Vishnu who has come in the form of the old man. He immediately surrenders himself to Narayana and when asked what boon he wanted, the sage said, please stay here and help all your devotees to heal and prosper.
Thus Bhagwan Vishnu stays in Thiruevvul or Thiruvalur. The main Murti is Vishnu reclining on Adiseshan and resting his right arm on Salihotra Muni’s head. Bhagwan Brahma is seen residing on a lotus flower on HIS navel and HIS right foot is lying on its side, while his left foot is straight. So with one feet, he kicks away all HIS devotees’ troubles and blesses them with the other !!!
Do buy some salt and pepper to be left inside the temple complex as you exit. This ensures that the effect of all the evil eyes that fell on you are nullified. You can also mix a ball of Jaggery in the temple pond for the same thing. The Thayar here is Kanakavalli.
May 12, 2022 – Rathotsavam
When we visited the temple for the first time, on May 12th, the Vaidya Veera Raghava Perumal Temple held its annual Chariot Festival. The Utsavar was taken out in a procession on a decorated chariot (Rath) around the town, accompanied by a large number of devotees and musicians.
We all got a chance to get onto the ratham (chariot) and it was a really special feeling.
This was a totally unexpected bonanza and Sri was totally thrilled.
Jan 29, 2022 – The Recent Visit
Do visit this stunning temple and Veeraraghava Perumal will ensure all the illnesses are cured… after all HE is the supreme Vaidya.
#KrishnansTempleTrails
Was blessed to have Darshan of Sriman Narayana and Thaayaar at this temple just today! 🙏🙏 Such an ancient temple .. I wish it weren’t under HR&CE ! I have to say I felt very sad at the state of the mini tank where we dissolve jaggery.. it was dirty to the core. I was also sad to see the garbage in the perimeter of the temple. I wish something can be done to avoid this situation here, and everywhere else.
It’s under Ahobila Matham Deepa. And yes it’s still a sad state of affairs :(, especially where you dissolve the jaggery. Btw I also saw people of other faiths encroaching around the temple and that’s a bigger problem.
That seems to be the case with many other temples too !!! I don’t know how people can think of dirtying any place of worship , regardless of their personal choice of faith !!!