I was always attracted towards adventure travel esp the road less traveled. And if the road takes you to a very old temple, man ill have no words to describe my happiness.
We had recently moved in from mogappair to thirumullaivoyal... I hated this move... but one particular aspect makes up for all the other troubles we are facing by moving to this area (they come as a separate post....) - close proximity to many old temples.
Last saturday, i came across a article abt a very old Perumal temple near thiruthani, in a tamil daily (Dhinakaran). Immediately after reading it, i decided that i definitely had to go to this temple and somehow cajoled my parents to accompany me.
And as planned, we started by around 5.30 AM today, took a train to Thiruvallur and then to thiruthani.. Had breakfast at Thiruthani. From there we took a bus to nagari (Andhra pradesh). From nagari, a local bus that goes to Pallipattu.. U need to get down at a place called Kollathur. This journey from nagari to pallipattu is all fun coz the areas traverse from AP to Tamil Nadu. From Kollathur, we asked the local people for the temple which is in a place called Vijayaraghava puram. They said one straight road into the village but the road went on and on..... We had walked almost 3 kms before we saw the glimpse of a ruined temple... And the worse thing is there is not even a petty shop to even buy a pack of biscuits or have tea. So better be prepared. The road (the 3km distance) is narrow with a lake (not maintained properly) and fields on the other side. It was almost 9.30 when we reached the temple. But we were confused to see a ruined temple coz the daily mentioned that a kumbabishekam was due on 11th of Feb. But there were no signs of a kumbabhisekham at all... But when we turned, alas there was another temple newly painted...
The temple was empty except for 2 of the villagers and the person who takes care of the temple (incidentally, he does the puja for the lord in the absence of the priest). The moolavar is Vijayaraghava Perumal along with Boodevi and Sridevi. It was a very good dharshan. The God looks so real and I tell u, u need to be really blessed!!!!!
The temple was empty except for 2 of the villagers and the person who takes care of the temple (incidentally, he does the puja for the lord in the absence of the priest). It was a very good dharshan. The God looks so real and I tell u, u need to be really blessed u to have such a sight. There is a karudar statue facing the Lord outside, and naga deivam at the right side of the temple.
The people there were very helpful but they were not able to give sthala puranam of the temple. It was given in the tamil daily though. It seems the temple has been renovated some 1000 years ago (yes renovation and not construction) by Krishna Deva Rayar. They were able to track this information from the kalvettu there, I believe. The priest had left for the day and it was the caretaker who did the puja. The priest was appointed only during the kumbabhishekam that too only on a temporary basis. They are still in the look out for a permanent priest J
We also asked about the temple in ruins on the other side. It is a Siva temple built by Klothunga Chola I and completed by Klothunga Chola III. Renovation of the temple is in progress, and Kumbabhishekam might soon follow suit. But people are in want of funds. We were blessed to visit this temple also. The moolavar is Siva in the form of lingam with a multi-headed snake over it. It was heart breaking to see few other statues in a dilapidated condition. If people can help, may be we can prevent such a precious temple that had withstood testings of time until now from deteriorating further.
VIJAYARAGHAVA PURAM (VILLAGE), KOLATHUR (POST)
TIRUTTANI (TALUK), THIRUVALLUR (DIST), TAMILNADU
Note: No decent hotels when u cross thiruthani, esp for the ones taking public transport since the next stop will be nagari. I found a few hotels en route to nagari from tiruttani. Please ensure u have enough food and water coz u cannot come across any shop once u get down at kolathur till the temple.
For people using public transport – Chennai to Tiruttani (buses/trains are available); from there take a bus to Nagari since the straight bus that goes to kolathur is less frequent. From Nagari, many private/govt buses are available to go to kolathur. No autos or buses available to cover the long distance to go to vijayaraghava puram after getting down at kolathur. Please have this in mind when u consider taking old/sick people or kids using public transport.
