- Vishnu
Pachai Varana Perumal Temple
- Nazarath Pettai,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Pachai Varana Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Nazarath Pettai is a small village located near Poonamalle, which in turn is located near city, the gateway to South India. In Nazarath Pettai, there is an old temple named Harita Vaarana Perumal temple or Pachchai Varna Perumal temple.
About The Temple
The architectural features of this clean and well maintained single-prakara temple of moderate proportions bespeak workmanship of chola and vijayanagara periods, an era of unsurpassed architectural grandeur in south india.
This temple has a five-tier gopura over the eastern entrance and to its right is the sanctum for Rama is seen with Sita and Lakshmana beside him and also small and for captivating utsava vigrahas. Immediately in front of the gopura on the outside is a mandapa standing on four pillars, a product of the vijayanagara age. The idols of God and two Goddesses in the main sanctum are in the sitting posture and are very big. Opposite to the main shrine, Garud is present in a small shrine and the flag staff is also present. This ancient temple, which is not too big, also has a tower in the main entrance. The corridor has the shrine of the Goddess Amrudavalli and there is a separate shrine for Andal. There is a shrine for Rama with Lakshmana and Sita, and a separate shrine for Hanuman in this temple.
About The Deity
The main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu along with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. As Lord Krishna took the form of green elephant, he got the name of Pachchai Varna Perumal in Tamil language and Harita Vaarana Perumal in Sanskrit language, which means "green colored".
Legend and Stories
As per the legend, Lord Krishna took the form of a green elephant from the yagna performed by Yudhistra to protect him from rakshas. There is also a different version of the legend. When the elephant named Ashwattama was killed during Mahabharat battle, Yudhistra lied to his Guru that his son Ashwattama was killed. By hearing this news, Drona was distracted and shocked. Using this opportunity, he was beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna. To get rid of this sin, based on the advice of the saint Narad, Yudhistra performed a yagna in this site. Lord Krishna appeared in the form of a green elephant from yagna.
Festivals
Among the festivals conducted in this temple, the Brahmostavam starting from Uthiramnakshatram in the month of panguni and the Thirunakshatram (birth star) festival of Mudaliandan are celebrated with great pomp for ten days in CHITHIRAI with Satrumurai on Punarpoosam.
Interesting Facts
This temple is the avatar sthalam for Mudaliyandan. Mudaliyandan was born in 1027 AD to the sister of the great Vaishnavite saint Ramanuj. He was the prime disciple of Ramanuj and became one of the great Vaishnav gurus. He was born in this site, and hence this temple is considered as the avatar sthalam (birth place) of Mudaliyandan. There is a separate shrine for Mudaliyandan, where he is found in the form of a big idol.
How To Reach
Airport
The nearest airport is at Chennai Airport.
Railways
There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Chennai.
Road
Chennai is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.
Temple Address
Pachai Varana Perumal Temple,
Agaramel,Nazarath Pettai, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 600069.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Fame
- Freedom from diseases
- Wealth
- Courage
- Relief from adverse effects from bad planetary aspects
- Relief from bondage
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 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM, - 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.