Jagannatha Perumal Temple

Overview

The Madhyama Jagannatha Perumal temple is the birth place of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar, where Jagannatha Perumal is seen in a sitting posture along with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The temple is referred to as the Thirumazhisai Azhvaar temple. The temple dates back to the Dwapara Yuga, finds reference in the Brahmanda Purana as ‘Mageesara Kshetram’. The temple’s prominence can be seen from the significant 1000year old inscriptions that one finds inside the temple.

About the Temple

The vimana, tower above the sanctum sanctorum is called Jagannatha Vimana. The main tower-Rajagopuram is of 5 tier structure. There are shrines for Lord Jagannatha, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, Sri Andal and Acharya Manavala Mamunigal. The temple has a special shrine for Thirumazhisai Alwar who was born in Thirumazhisai.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions indicate there was extensive renovation at this temple between 12th and 15th Century AD during the rule of Kulothunga Chola and Kopperunsinga among other rulers. This place was referred to as Thirumazhisai Chaturvedi Mangalam as per the 12th and 13th Century inscriptions, In the 13th Century AD, this place was referred to as Thirumazhisai Agaram.

Temple Tank

There is a huge temple tank on the Eastern side of the temple that is currently brimming with water.

About the Deity

The Jagannatha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu and Divine Mother Shakti. While Lord Jagannatha appears reclining in Tirupullani and standing in Puri, He graces darshan here in sitting form, hence the place is revered as Madhya Jagannatham and Poorna Jagannatham. As this is the birth place of saint Tirumazhisai Azhwar, the place also is named after the saint.

Thirumangaivalli thaayaar

Thirumangaivalli thayar, portrayed as a separate Goddess is believed to be very powerful. She blesses Her devotees with prosperity and all types of wealth. Vahana mandap, Paramapadha vaasal and Sri Azhagiya Singar sannidhi are situated at the outer prahara of the main temple. At the northern part of the prahara is located the sannidhi of Sri Lakshminarasimha.

Sri Vaishnavi

Sri Vaishnavi has been portrayed in a standing posture with the Conch and Chakra of Thirumal in Her hands. Special Thirumanjanam and prayers are held during the time of Rahukalaa on Tuesdays and Fridays. Girls waiting for marriage and their parents offer flower garlands to Her. At the Azhagiya singar sannidhi, Sri Lakshminarasimha is portrayed with Lakshmi Devi on His lap. To its left are situated the sannidhis of Andal and Sri Manavala Mamunigal and a marriage hall.

Legend and Stories

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar

Born to Bhargava Rishi and Kanakangi in the Tamil Calendar month of Thai (Magam star), Thirumazhisai Azhvaar had a disfigured body at birth. Hence, his parents threw him into a Bamboo pit at Thirumazhisai (which is now a Mandapa to the west of the temple complex). A childless couple - Thiruvaalan and Bangaya Selvi- picked him up and brought him up with love and care. The presence of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar brought back youth to the couple who then had a son by name Kanikannan. Kanikannan became Thirumazhisai Azhvaar’s disciple and served under him. Thirumazhisai Azhvaar’s favourite lord was Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal of Thiruvekka in Kanchipuram. For years, he stayed at Thiruvekka and undertook service there.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaaar and Thiruvekka Lord

Once, a Pallava King, of Kanchi, ordered Kanikannan out of the kingdom for failing to sing praise of him. When Thirumazhisai Azhvaar heard this, he too followed suit. Not just him, he asked Thiruvekka Lord to also accompany him. To the shock of everyone, the Lord joined Thirumazhisai Azhvaar and Kanikannan out of the kingdom plunging the whole place into darkness. Realising his folly, the king apologised and requested them to return to Kanchi. As a mark of having left his abode and having returned subsequently, the Thiruvekka Lord changed his posture and slept in the opposite direction. As the Lord acceded to the request of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar to accompany him out of the kingdom, the Lord of Thiruvekka Divya Desam came to be called ‘Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal’. Thirumazhisai Azhvaar also visited Thiru Kudanthai and sung praise of Lord Aaravamuthan. Seeing the sleeping posture of the Lord, a curious ThiruMazhisai Azhvaar questioned if the Lord’s tiredness was the reason for him to be lying down in his sleeping posture and if he would not raise and provide him darshan. After hearing this, it is believed that the Lord slightly raised his posture to greet the Azhvaar. Feeling the guilt of having caused strain on the Lord, Thirumazhisai Azhvaar asked him to remain as is. And the Lord remained so ever after. To this day, one can see the Lord in a slightly ‘raised reclining’ posture (Uthaana Sayanam). Thirumazhisai Azhvaar sung over 200verses of praise comprised in Naanmugan Thiruvanthaathi and Thiruchandha Viruththam. Thirumazhisai Azhvaar spent his final years at Thiru Kudanthai and attained moksham there.

Thirumazhisai - The sacred town

Once when the entire Bhoologam was placed on one side of the weighing machine and Thirumazhisai on the other, they found that Thirumazhisai was heavier by one gram indicating the greatness of this sacred town. At around the same time, Brigu Maharishi and Markandeya Rishi were invoking the blessings of Vishnu to provide them with a darshan of Madhyama Jagannathan. They were asked to go and undertake penance at Thirumazhisai, a place that is said to be equivalent to visiting two Divya Desams. Pleased with their prayers, Madhyama Jagannatha Perumal provided the two rishis with darshan here at Thirumazhisai. To mark this event, one finds both the rishis inside the sanctum.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar – Display of the Third Eye at this temple

To the left of the Jagannatha Perumal Sannidhi is the Thirumazhisai Azhvaar Sannidhi facing South. A special feature of the moolavar deity is that he is seen with a third eye. The story goes that Thirumazhisai Azhvaar was undertaking yogic penance at this place. Shiva and Parvathi, who were flying over this place were pleased with his penance and landed here at Thirumazhisai. When asked for a boon, Thirumazhisai Azhvaar asked for Mukthi only to be rejected as only Vishnu had the power to provide Moksham. He then asked for small thread that could keep rolling into the needle that he was using to stitch his torn clothes. Fuming with anger at this request, Shiva opened his third eye. Thirumazhisai Azhvaar invoked the blessings of Lord Narayana and immediately a third eye emerged for Thirumazhisai as well from the toe of his right leg with water rolling out to cool the fire raging from Shiva’s third eye. Pleased with the devotion of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar, Shiva presented him the title of 'Bhakti Saaran'.

Festivals

Aani Brahmmotsavam in June-July, Aaipasi Manavala Mamuni festival in October-November, Azhwar festival on Thai Magam star day in January-February and Masi float festival in February-March are celebrated in the temple.

Thanksgiving

Realizing their wishes, devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother and offer archanas with Tulsi leaves.

Significance

Devotees use to have a dip in Bhrugu Theertha and worship the Lord for release from sins. They pray to Mother seeking child boon and prosperity. They worship Mother Vaishnavi holding discus and conch offering garlands for removal of obstacles in wedding talks.

Nearby Places to Visit

• Devi Karumariamman Temple
• Dakshinamurthy Swami Temple
• Balasubrahmanyar Temple
• Swaminatha Balamurugan Temple
• Vadaranyeswarar Temple
• Tripuranthaka Swami Temple

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Chennai. Chennai Central (code MAS) and Chennai Egmore (code MS) are the two main long distance train stations. Thirumazhisai Jagannathan Perumal temple is located about 5kms from Poonamallee on the Thiruvallur-Tirupathi Highway. Buses ply every 30minutes from Parrys ( 253,54B) /Koyambedu (153) /TNagar ( 597) /Tambaram (596).

Temple Address

Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple,
Tirumazhisai,
Tiruvallur district.