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Tiruvelukkai Temple located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Tondai naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity here is Sri Azhagiyasingar (Naarsimhar), also called Mukunda nayakar in standing posture. Thayar is called Velukkaivalli or Amritavalli.
The legend behind the place Thiru Velukkail goes like this. When asuras (demons) became rampant and started to threaten the mankind, Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar chased them away. He settled in this beautiful place out of his own wish.
The name of the sthalam itself clearly says that the Perumal is there to help us. “Vel” means wish and “Irukkai” means satying there. Since the Perumal itslef wished to stay there to help his bhakthas, this sthalam is known as “Vellukkai”. It is believed that the original image of the temple was east facing standing posture of Vishnu as he appeared for Bhrigu Maharishi and later appeared as Azhagiya Singar.
Tiruvelukkai Temple
As per Hindu legend, once there was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an Aswametha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consorts, was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in various ways, but Vishnu interfered in all her attempts. After all the demons were killed by Vishnu, who were sent by Saraswati to destroy the yagna (penance) done by Brahma, she sent Kapalika, a demon. Lord Vishnu took the form of Narhari to kill the demon.
The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple.
Festivals
Krishna Janmasthami festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aavani (August-September), is the most prominent festival in Tiruvelukkai Temple.
Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity
The Moolavar here is Sri Azhagiya Singar in Yoga Position facing east. He is also known as Narasimhar and Muguntha Naayagan. Thayar of this sthalam is Amirthavalli thayar or Vellukkai Valli. Prathyaksham for Brighu Munivar. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai azhwar and Peiazhwar. Thaayar is Velukkai Valli (Amirtha Valli).
Temple Pooja Daily Schedule
The temple is open from 7:00 AM till 10:00 am and from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm
How to reach
Tiruvelukkai Temple is situated in Kanchipuram very near to Ashtabhujanga temple. Kanchipuram is around 75 kms from Chennai off the Chennai- Vellore/ Bangalore highway via Sri Perumbudur. Kanchipuram is well connected by several bus services from Chennai. There is a railway station in Kanchipuram with a few train services from Chennai in the mornings.