Thiruvahindrapuram

Thiruvahindrapuram is traditionally enumerated as number 58 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

Thiru Vahindrapuram is one of the divya desams in Nadu Nadu. Thiruvahindrapuram is about five kms. from Cuddalore, in South Arcot District in Tamil Nadu. It is well connected by road. The story relating to this divya desam is mentioned in five chapters in Brahmanda puranam and four chapters in Skanda puranam and also in five chapters in Brahannaradiya puranam.

The moolavar here is known as Deivanayakan. He is seen in a standing posture facing east. The Lord here is praised as the manifestation of the Trinity of Hinduism viz. Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, all in one form. Alvar speaks of Him as Moovar Agiya Oruvan. Literally translated it means three Gods who have merged and manifested themselves into one form. The idol thus reveals the triple functions of God viz. Creation, Sustenance and Destruction. On the palm of the right hand can be seen a lotus flower, the symbol of Brahma. Third eye which is the symbol «f Siva can be seen in the forehead of the utsava murthy. The matted hair on the head of the utsavamurthi is also representative of Siva. The shanku and chakra the symbols of Vishnu are held in two hands.,The Thayar is known as Hemambujavalli as also Vaikunta Nayaki. Theerthams are Garuda nadhi, Chandra theertham, Sesha theertham. The vimanam is known as Chandra vimanam as also Suddha sattva vimanam. God appeared to Garuda, Adisesha and Siva.

One of the principal attractions in the temple complex is the exquisite image of Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya. A shrine for Vedanta Desika the great spiritual head also forms part of the temple.

Thetempleisa 11th century Chola structure. The gopuram was constructed later. On the eastern side of the temple is a hillock known as Oushadagiri on which stands a shrine for Hayagriva reached by a flight of steps. Legends state that sages have taken the form of medicinal herbs on the hillock. The name Thiru Vahindrapuram has its origin in Ahi meaning serpent.Ahindra refers to Sarapa raja ie. Adisesha who created and built this town.

218 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desam - III

Struck by the grandeur of the idol of Rama in this temple Desika, contributed the outstanding hymn Raghuvira Gadhyam which is the epitome of the Ramayana. The temple of Devanatha in Thiru Vahindripuram is sitauted on a beautiful bend of the river Gadilam which is also known as Garuda nadhi in Vaishnavite literature. The river Gadilam and the hillock Oushadagiri add to the enchanting beauty and hallowed surrounding for the temple which is situated between these two natural scenic splendours. The temple is majestic and breath takingly beautiful.