Thiruvellarai is traditionally enumerated as number 2 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.
This place is also known as Svethagiri kshetram. It is located about 12 miles from Tiruchy on the way to Thuraiyur. It can also be approached from Srirangam on the way to Utthamar koil. The moolavar is known as Pundarikakshan. He is seen in a standing posture facing east. The Thayar is known as Shengabavalli, Pankaja Selvi. She has a separate shrine. The utsava Thayar is known as Pankaja Valli. The vimanam is Vimalakruti vimanam. There are seven theerthams here. God appeared before Garuda,Sibi Chakravarthi, Bhoodevi, Markandeya rishi, Brahma, Rudra and Indra.
Near the 12th mile on the Tiruchnipoly Thuraiyur Road, stands an unfinished gopuram of low height. This is Thiruvellarai also known as Sveta giri. Literally translated Sveta giri means the holy white hill. The gopuram is not very impressive. But this has an interesting legend connected with it. It is believed that the temple was built by Sibi Chakravarthi who belonged to the Surya kulam, Ikshavaku dynasty. Sri Rama belongs to this dynasty. The lineage is as follows: The grand son of Sibi Chakravarthi is Sagaran, his grand son is Bagirathan, his grand son is Dileepan, his son is Raghu, his son is Ajan and his son is Dasarathan and one of his four sons is Rama. Thus, this temple was built by one of the illustrious forefathers of Sri Rama himself.
The Brahmanda puranam, kshetra kandam details the sthala purana relating to this divya desam. In Treta yugam, Sibi Chakravarthi was ruling at Ayodya. He had heard of the atrocities of Ravana the king of Lanka. He decided to punish this demon by waging a war with him. He assembled his army and proceeded towards Lanka. He reached Neelikavanam near Svetha giri. He decided to rest there for a while along with his army. As he was resting and enjoying the cool breeze and the scenic beauty of the area, an unusual event provoked his curiosity. He sighted a white boar which was rushing about hither and thither. Because of its unusual colour as against the usual black colour of the pigs, the king followed it even as it was running about. He wanted to catch it. Suddenly it disappeared
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into a bush, The king immediately cleared the bush. Lo and behold he discovered Markandeya Maharishi and Bhoomidevi doing their penance at that place. He then heard a voice from heaven (asarseri) which said:
TELUGU · తెలుగు
దివ్యదేశం: తిరువెళ్ళరై. పూర్తి వివరణ త్వరలో.