Sri Sundararaja perumal temple

Overview

Sri Sundararaja perumal temple, one of the oldest Vaishnavite pilgrim centres. is located in Veeravanallur, a picturesque village in the Thiruneveli district of Tamil Nadu, with the magnificent Podhigai mountain range on one side and the river Porunai running across and encircled by green fields. The old Tamil literature denotes this village as Veerayumpathi, Veera vala nallur and Thava vanam. This place is also called as Kashyapa shetram because of the penance of sage Kashyapa. The place is the about Sri Sundaravalli Thayar Samedha Sri Sundararaja Perumal temple, the sanctification of which was last done about a century ago.

About The Temple

The mandapam and the pond are the main center of attraction of this temple where the pond is said to have copious water which comes from the Manimuttarru dam.This dam is built across the river which is called as Thambirabarani and it flows via canal. Previously because of the plentiful sponsorship by the King this place is filled with joy and festivals throughout the year in those ancient days. After this glorious time now the temple has weaken and there are many cracks in the temple the plasters in the temple all over has starting peeling off especially from the roofs and many other sannidhis which are there in the temple. The steps in the pond that is the only way to step in the pond have broken from many places and is isolated to occupy most of the part of the pond. Due to lack of maintenance during the festivals in this temple the beautiful Vahanas and the Thiru There which are displayed in the temple is destroyed. The most awful fact of the temple is that this temple is left uncared and not looked after.It has been a century that the temple is not renovated since Samprokshanam ( Kumbashikam) which was done in the year 1912.The Huge mountain range called the Podhigai and River Porunai which is on the other side flowing across with all greenery around this place is known as Veeravanallur which is in the Thiruneveli district of Tamil Nadu. A beautiful pond with the magnificent mandapam in the centre adds beauty to the temple. The pond used to get copious water from the Manimuttarru dam built across the river Thambirabarani through a canal. In the past, due to the ample support of the Kings this primordial temple was once active with festivals celebrated round the year. But regrettably, today the temple is in not so good condition. Today the temple authorities are struggling to even organize daily pujas.

About The Deity

The main deity of this temple is God Vishnu and there is a main sannadhi of God Sundarajan and his consorts. Apart from the main sannidhis of Lord Sundarajaperumal and his consorts, the temple has a separate sannidhi for Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, all the Alwars, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Vedaantha Desikar and Sri Senai Mudali.

Legend and stories

According to the legend Sage Kaashyapa, undertook a rigorous penance to seek the blessing of Lord Kalazhagar of Thirumaliruncholai, for numerous years. Lord Narayana pleased with his devotion gave darshan to Sage Kaashyapa in full grandeur decked with ornaments studded with diamonds and various precious stones. Speechless by the magnificent beauty of Lord Narayana, Sage kaashyapa, modestly wished the Lord to forever stay in Verravanallur with his consorts and bless the people. Lord acknowledged his appeal and has been blessing his devotees as Lord Sundararjan along with his consorts Sundaravalli and Sundaranayagi. True to his name the Lord at Veeravanallur is beauty incarnate. Many Pandya Kings had paid respects to the God here and then they build a temple here. One of the Pandiya Kings, Veeramara Pandiyan once went to hunt in the forest where he saw a sight of a small rabbit facing a dog bravely. The king understood the power related with the soil of the land and named this place Verravanallur . The king became a devotee of God Sundarajaperumal. In the old works of Tamil this village is mentioned as Veerayumpathi, Veera gala nallur and also Thava Vanam. Due to the tapas of Sage Kashyapa done at this place, this temple was also called as Kashyapa shetram. The very famous freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman who fought bravely against the Britishers, had visited this temple with his army to seek the blessingss of Sunderajaperumal. He along with army took an oath of Valour just before going to wars and hence due to this the village has been known as Veera Magan Nallur and Verram Niraintha Nallur, which over the period had come to known as Veeravanallur.

Festivals

Thai Poosam and Sri Jayanthi are celebrated for ten days. Pavitrotsavam and an Oonjal Utsavam in Aippasi is celebrated for seven days and 10-day utsavam of Vedanta Desikan were significant celebrations observed at this temple.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport from Tirunelveli is Tuticorin airport that is located at a distance of 28 kilometers from the downtown Tirunelveli.

Railways

Closest Station: Tirunelveli.
The Tirunelveli Junction railway station is an extremely busy and important railway junction in Tamilnadu.

Road

Veeravanallur is well connected by road. Plenty of buses ply from Tirunelveli.

Temple Address

Sri Sundararaja perumal temple,
Veeravanallur,
Ambasamudram Taluk