Thiru Vidanthai, Sri Varaha Moorthy temple is situated en route to Mahabalipuram on the East Coast road and is one among the 108 divya desams of Vishnu. Alwars have sung in praise of the God here and this temple sits smugly in a village off the Mahabalipuram road in a calm and serene atmosphere.This temple is about 1000 years old and as it is near the sea coast many structures and carvings have corroded here hence it is under the care of Archaelogical Survey of India and I was a bit disappointed when they didn't allow the cameras inside. But I have tried to make the best of my visit by clicking some beautiful shots from outside.
Varaha Swamy is one of reincarnations of Vishnu, he took the form of a boar to save Mother Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. There are a very few temples dedicated to Varaha Swamy. Here the idol is about 61/2 feet high, an exquistively carved idol with Boodevi on His left thigh. He is giving Mantropadesham to Boodevi and at his feet are Adisesha , the serpent God and his wife.
The Utsavar is called as Nithya Kalyana Perumal . It is believed that a visit to this temple and praying here by following certain worship pattern would help one to find a good life partner.
The legend says that as per the wishes of a Maharshi, the Lord here married all his 360 daughters one per day throughout the year and united them all into one as Boodevi who is the Thayar ( mother Goddess) here.There is also separate sannidhi for Thayar and Andal. The sthala vriksham is at the back side of the temple.There are beautiful carvings on the pillars here near the Garudalwar sannidhi which is opposite to the main sannidhi. The carving are etched beautifully as if idols have been stuck on the pillars. The temple must be around 4-5 acres and there is a bell tower, dwaja sthamba and balipeetam, typical of any temple front in Tamilnadu.
How to reach:
Chennai is well connnected by air, road and rail. Umpteen number of buses ply from various parts of the city towards Mahabalipuram. Thiru Vidanthai bus stop is 3 Kms. from Kovalam. Distance to Tiruvidanthai from Chennai is 50 Kms.
Check pictures below.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOwwwp5hHtelMVz6OQ265WgWy94_zhd3CrPem7t
Check pictures below.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOwwwp5hHtelMVz6OQ265WgWy94_zhd3CrPem7t
37 comments:
Enchanting temple art!
Love the way you have captured the sculptures in pictures..This is one of the temple we try to visit frequently..
Thanks Mridula.
EC, thanks. I have visited it only once. Once I move to Chennai I would .
Unfortunately I am not able to see the pictures. May be because at present I am using an I Pad. Only two days back I went to Dakshina Chitra on the same route but at that time this info was not there. The ASI people need some medication. They have no right to stop people from taking pictures of monuments. It is allowed all over the country.
PNS, did you visit this temple?
I am also commenting from my iPas and unable to see any pictures.but the post is very descriptive and spurs me to visit the temple at the earliest.When did you visit this place,Chitra?
These figures are stunningly< beautiful - so serene and cheerful! Happy sunday Chitra!
Thanks I could see the pictures in my laptop
Magnificent architecture! You captured the outsides so very beautifully and with your description, i could visualize the insides too. Thanks for another one of my wonderful virtual tours here.
As ussual great description and pictures though I don't really agree with the legend.
KP,It is a surprise you have not visited it yet. You can ebnjoy the beautiful beaches too when you ride along.
KP, I visited it a few months back.
Martina, thanks a lot.
Arti, you are most welcome. Happy you enjoyed the post.
Just read and enjoy the legends. We don't know the facts. But marrying everyday for one year would have been really tiresome. Happy you liked the pics.
Excellent presentation.. I have visited this place.. Good work!
Nice to know about this place ........ Lovely pictures and wonderful artwork on the pillars .
Nice temple and lovely clicks.
www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Arun, thanks.
TGS, thanks a lot
Niranjan,thanks you.
Beautiful...:)
Excellent timing.4th was Varaha deva appearance day and 5th u post.
lovely and you have described so nicely too
the pictures are beautiful
Bikram's
Bhagaya, I never knew abt.that , that is good:)
Bikram, thanks a lot.
Next time, definitely!
We missed this on our summer trip. Thanks for sharing this post Chitra.
Very interesting, I'm intrigued by the thought of Vishnu taking the form of a boar.
interesting story
beautiful slide show
Shri,sure you would enjoy that.
Yes, PW that was his 3rd reincarnation called as Varaha Moorthy.
sm, thanks a lot.
This is a small but very beautiful temple.Visited there in 2007.
Beautiful pictures.. Reminds me of my trip ..
The carvings in the columns are exquisite!
:-)
Traci
Ramakrishnan- thanks a lot.
Sridharan- thanks
Traci- thanks for the visit.
wonderful presentation....... bhavukangal.... blogil puthiya kadha , varumallo..............
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