Sri Chitraradha Vallaba Perumal Temple

Overview

Kuruvithurai, Cholavandan, Chitraradha Vallaba Perumal temple is located in Kuruvithurai, Cholavandan, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu state, India. The main God here is Chitraradha Vallaba Perumal and Amman (Thayar) is Sridevi, Bhoomidevi.

About the Temple

A Guru transition takes place day each year very devotionally when the planet moves to the next zodiac sign. Guru-Jupiter himself had to face a problem and Lord Narayana was the destination for him for a remedy. He performed penance here. He is a swayambumurthy here. Chakkarathalwar (Lord Narayana’s discus) also is a swayambumurthy in the temple. The idols of 12 Alwars (sage poets who eulogized Perumal) are in a single form.

About The Deity

The presiding deity is swayambumurthis. He is called Chitraradha Vallaba Perumal. His consort is known as Goddess Sridevi, Bhoomidevi.

Legend and Stories

In a war between the Devas and the demons, a huge number of demons were killed. Their Acharya, Shukra, also a powerful planet, restored all the demons to life again through the power of Sanjeevini Mantra application which he alone knew. Devas, with a view to learn that Mantra, sent Kasa, son of Jupiter to Shukra to learn the Mantra and return to them. He went to Asuraloka, the land of demons with the blessings of Father Guru. Devayani, daughter of Shukra, enticed by the handsomeness of Kasa fell in love with him, but it was a one-sided love. Kasa was keen only on his mission. The demons knowing the young man’s plans, killed him, reduced him to ashes, dissolved it in water and made Shukra consume it. As Devayani was unable to meet Kasa, she begged her father Shukra to find him. Shukra with his wisdom eye came to know the facts and understood he was in his belly. To please the daughter and to restore Kasa back to life,
he taught the Sanjeevini Mantra to him even while he was in his belly. Kasa came out alive tearing his guru’s stomach. As Kasa could not bear to see Shukra dead before him, he applied the same Sanjeevini Mantra and gave a new lease of life to the teacher. Shukra asked Kasa to marry his daughter Devayani. Kasa politely explained to Shukra that as he was born from his stomach, Devayani was his sister and therefore the match would be against law. He left to his place with Shukra’s permission to his place. But Devayani created seven mountains preventing Kasa’s departure. Jupiter performed penance on Lord Narayana to rescue his son. Lord sent Chakarathalwar and rescued Kasa from the demon world. Lord Narayana gave darshan to Prahaspathi-Guru-Jupiter from His rath of exciting aesthetic beauty on Chithirai star day. Hence, the place is attributed to Chitra star. The Lord’s idol is made of Sandalwood with Mothers Sridevi and Bhooma Devi. Guru Bhagwan and Chakrathalwar grace before the temple as swyambumurthis.

Festivals

Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January and Jupiter transition days are celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Chitra starrers pray to Lord of the temple for relief from adverse planetary aspects, especially those facing adverse Jupiter aspects and take up remedial pujas. According to astrology, favourable Jupiter aspect alone would help settling happy marriages and offer child boon. Practical experiences also confirm this theory.

Nearby Place To Visit

Sundareswarar (Meenakshi) Temple
Muktheeswarar Temple
Kasi viswanathar Temple
Kalamegaperumal Temple
Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Temple
Navaneethakrishnan Temple

Accessibility

Buses are available to Kuruvithurai from Madurai Periyar bus stand. The distance from Madurai is 23 km. The temple is 3 km from the bus stand. The buses will run up to the temple on important days as Thursdays and Poornima-full moon days. Autos may be hired on other days. The closest railway station is in Cholavandan, Madurai, and airport is in Madurai

Temple Address

Sri Chitraradha Perumal Temple,
Kuruvithurai ,
Vadipatti Taluk,
Via Cholavandhan,
Madurai district,
Pincode – 625 207