Temple for Thiruvonam Nakshatram

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS#

Temple for star Thiruvonam

SRI PRASANNA VENKATESAPERUMAL TEMPLE THIRUPARKADAL

The standing form of Lord Perumal on the Avudayar (stage) on which Shivalingas are installed, represents the philosophy that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are not different from each other but one to teach those warring on wrong notions. Also, we see a Sorgavasal separately in all Perumal temples through which Perumal is taken on procession on Vaikunda Ekadasi day. There is no one such in this temple. Instead, there are three entrances through which the devotees can have the darshan of the Lord in the sanctum itself on the day. This is a very rare structure in a Perumal temple.

Lord

Chandra God

Symbol

Arrow

Zodiac

Zodiac Capricorn

Moolavar

Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Amman / Thayar

Sri Alamelurmangai

Old year

1000-2000 years old

City

Tiruparkadal

District

Vellore

State

Tamil Nadu

Nakshatra

Sravana

Shraavan (in Sanskrit)

Thiruvonam (in Tamil)

Thiruvonam (in Malayalam)

Deity

Vishnu, preserver of universe

Sri Venkateswara Perumal Temple, Tiruparkadal Post-632 508,

Kaveripakkam, Wallajapet Taluk, Vellore district.

Phone: +91 4177 254 929, 94868 77896, 94861 39289

The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Vaikunda Ekadasi in December–January and all Pradosham days (13th day both from New Moon and Full Moon days) are festive days in the temple.

Maharshi Pundarika took up a pilgrimage to Vishnu temples. When he landed on this temple at Narayana Chaturvedhi Mangalam, he was shocked to see Shiva in the sanctum and retreated regretting the mistake. An aged person intercepted him and told the Rishi that what he saw was the shrine of Lord Vishnu. Rishi denied. The aged person took the Rishi to the sanctum and stood on the Avudayar as Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and explained him that Shiva–Vishnu were one and not different from each other. The Lord also told the Rishi that as he could not worship Vishnu in Tiruparkadal, the darshan was offered to him here. As the Lord offered his 'Prasanna' – darshan, the Lord is praised as Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal.

Of the 27 stars, only 2 have the prefix "Tiru", Tiru Onam attributed to Perumal and Tiru Adhirai to Lord Shiva. Tiru represents all auspiciousness. The beauty and luster of Chandra the Moon began to diminish due to a curse. One of his wives, the deity of Tiruvonam star performed intense penance on Perumal for his remedy. Pleased with her penance, Perumal appeared before her on a Tiruvonam star day and relieved Moon of his curse. Since then, this shrine assumed importance for the Tiruvonam star.

Thos born of Tiruvonam star are advised to visit and worship in this temple on the star days, Rohini and Hastham star days and on the third day from the New Moon day called Moondram Pirai in Tamil and perform abishek and archanas to Perumal to gain wisdom. The standing form of Lord Perumal on the Avudayar of Shivalinga symbolizes the oneness of Shiva-Vishnu worship. Hence, Pradosham related to Shiva also is devoutly observed in this temple.

Of the 108 Divya Desas – holy places connected with Vishnu worship, Tiruparkadal cannot be reached with human body as it is not on earth. To make up for this loss to the devotees, the worship in this temple gives the devotees the gift of Tiruparkadal darshan, the 107th Vishnu Divyadesam.