108 Divya-deshams: Thiruputkuli

BY: SUN STAFF

Vijayaraghava Perumal holding Jatayu

Jan 10, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple in Thiruputkuli (Thiruputkuzhi) is a Divya-desham residing in a village in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is situated about 7 miles west of Kanchipuram. Lord Vishnu is worshiped here as Vijayaraghava Perumal with His consort Lakshmi as Maragathavalli Thayar.

Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. It is believed to have been built by the Pandya kings during the 13th century, as seen from the stone inscriptions in the temple, with later contributions at different times from Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple has three inscriptions dating from the Chola period.

Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Thiruputkuli

The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram and is enshrined within a granite wall. The complex contains all the shrines, while the temple tank is located to the west of the temple. There is a separate shrine for Margathavalli Thayar (Laksmi). The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Vijayaraghava, with four hands. He is seen in a posture holding the demigod bird Jatayu and performing the last rites.

Sri Jatayu

Jatayu was killed by the rakshasa king Ravana, while trying to save Sita during the abduction. Rama, who was in search of his wife Sita, is said to have arrived at this place. When Rama and Laksmana went there in search of Sita, they find Jatayu mortally wounded in the forest. Jatayu narrated events to Rama before breathing his last. The presiding deity, Vijayaraghava Perumal, is believed to have performed the last rites of Jatayu at this place. The water body where Jatayu fell is called Jatayu Tirtham. Jatayu belongs to the Pul (a separate family of eagle) family and was buried in a pit (kuli in Tamil), hence this site is called Thiruputkuḻi. This legend is also associated with Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple.

Jatayu Tirtham

Sridevi and Bhudevi are also present at Vijayaraghava Temple, with their heads facing earth. The image is believed to indicate sorrow on their faces caused by the death of Jatayu. Sridevi is usually situated on the right side of Perumal, but she is located to his left in this temple.

Thiruputkuḻi is believed to be the birthplace of Yadava Prakaasa, the teacher of Vaishanava saint Ramanuja. The preceptor of Visishtadvaita philosophy, Ramanuja had his early education at this temple, and there is a sannidhi for him on the temple grounds.

Gopuram and Dwajasthambam

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