- Vishnu
Ashtapuja Balamadana Venugopalar Temple
- Belur,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
The Ashtapuja Balamadana Venugopalar Temple is located at Belur, in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is around 1000 years old and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
About the Deity
Generally Lord Vishnu is seen with only four hands in most kshetras. Here, Lord Vishnu appears with eight hands (ashta puja). The Garuda (Eagle) here has no wings and is considered as the divine Jatayu in Ramayana. Jatayu fought the evil Ravana, in order to save Devi Sita from abduction and eventually lost his wings in the fight.
About the Temple
The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Ashtapuja Balamadana Venugopalan, who has eight hands. Out of this, two belong to Lord Vishnu and the two below, to Lord Krishna. The remaining four belongs to Lord Balarama. The deity’s left cheek appears to be soft and feminine, while his right cheek is hard and masculine. The seven headed Adisesha (Snake) appears above the head of the deity. The deity is dressed in the popular Indian styled Panchakatcha with a sari in the left, while the right leg is masculine. A cow with its calf is seen on the right whereas a cow along with a bull is seen on the left.
Abisheka is performed to Devi Maragathavalli Meenakshi on the days of Ashtami, Navami and Ekadasi thidhis (the 8th, 9th and 11th day from the full moon days respectively). Sage Vasishta is believed to have installed the idol of Devi Maragadhavalli Meenakshi. Garuda, the eagle Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu is seen without wings and is regarded as Jatayu the eagle who lost his wings while preventing Ravana from abducting Sita.
Legend and Stories
Devi Parasakthi is the universal mother who took many incarnations to grace the earth as Devi Kamakshi, Visalakshi, Ulagammai, Parvathi, Dakshayani, etc. She stayed in the city of Madurai in the name of Goddess Meenakshi. A woman devotee considered Devi Meenakshi as her own child and thus undertook the role of an affectionate mother. She would feed Meenakshi, bathe her and would sing melodious lullabies to put her to sleep, just like how Periazhwar imagined himself as a mother to Lord Krishna.
Meanwhile, mother Meenakshi was pleased with the woman’s devotion. She granted the boon that the woman be born in her next birth as a woman named Kanchanamala and that she would be born as her child later. This story was the main legend behind this Meenakshi’s temple here. Lord Vishnu, who was the brother of Lord Meenakshi, gave her hands to Lord Sundareswara in marriage.
Goddess Meenakshi is the holy Mother to all the living being in his world. She graces in the name of Maragathavalli Meenakshi from a separate shrine here, as an old women in this temple.
Festivals
The auspicious night of Vaikunda Ekadasi which falls in the month of December-January is the most celebrated festival in this temple.
How To Reach Ashtapuja Balamadana Venugopalar Temple
Road
The nearest bus stop is Belur, which is about 18 kms from Salem, on the Vazhapadi road.
Railways
The nearest railhead is the Salem railway station.
Airport
The Trichy airport is the closest airport to this temple.
Temple Address
Ashtapuja Balamadana Venugopalar Temple,
Belur, Salem district.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Solution for problems in marriage talk
- Relief from debt
- Settling of family disputes
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.