Hindu Temples
Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple - Tiruputkuzhi, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
7 Aug 2026
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Rama, Sri
Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divyadesams sanctified by
the Azhwars is located at Tiruputkuzhi (Thiruputkuzhi /
Thirupputkuzhi), about 7 miles west of Kanchipuram and half a kilometre
from Baluchetti Chattiram, which lies on the Chennai - Vellore highway.
The main deity (Moolavar) is Vijayaraghava Perumal and his consort is
Maragathavalli Thayar.
Thiru refers to a holy site, pul refers to a bird (Jatayu) and kuzhi is a
pit (the pit where Lord Rama performed the final funeral rites for
Jatayu (Jadaayu).
When Rama left to the forest with his wife Sita and borther Lakshmana,
Sita fell in love with the magical deer (maaya maan) Maareechan.
While Rama had gone in search of the deer, Sita was cunningly abducted
by Ravana (Raavanaa). Jatayu fought bravely with Ravana, trying to save
Sita Devi. In the fight, Ravana cut off his wings and the wounded
Jatayu informed Rama and Lakshmana about the plight of Sita and gave up
his life. Lord Rama performed the funeral rites for Jatayu in a
pit. Jatayu theertham in the temple is said to have been created by Lord
Rama in order to get the required water to perform the last rites.
Tarpanam is performed by devotees at this temple on new moon day.
Vijayaraghava Perumal is seen with four hands, in a seated posture
holding Jatayu on his lap. Sridevi is usually depicted to the right of
the Lord. But, as aunique feature she is seen to the left of the Lord.
It is believed that Sridevi could not bear the heat of the
flames during the rites and therefore moved to the Lord's left side.
Thaayar shrine is therefore seen to the left of the Lord and Andal's
sannidhi is on the right.
A special feature in the temple is the stone sculpture of the horse. The
utsavar's vahanam is jointed so that the limbs can be moved as if in
motion. The sculptor vowed that this vahanam will remain unique to
this temple and that he will not create another, although there were
requests from several temples. To honour the sculptor, every year, on
the 8th day of the utsavam (temple festival), the utsavar mounted on the
horse vahanam is taken through the street named after the sculptor.
Unfortunately, the limbs are no longer workable.
Another unique and astonishing feature is that the Goddess is said to
have made fried pulse germinate at this sthalam. Women wishing for
an offspring, pray to the Gods, take a dip in the holy Jatayu
theertham, tie fried pulses in their saree pallav and spend the night at
the temple. In the morning, if the pulses germinate, they believe
that their wish will be fulfilled.
Tiruputkuzhi is believed to be the birthplace of Yadava Prakaasa, the teacher of
Vaishanava saint Ramanuja (Raamaanujaa). There is a sannidhi for
Ramanuja in this temple.
The temple was originally built by the Pandyas, and later Cholas and
Thanjavur Nayaks added to the site. With a five-tiered rajagopuram
(gateway tower), the shrines are enclosed within a granite wall.
References:
mahavishnuinfo.org
About the inscriptions in the temple
While each Divya Desam has its own unique
story, the Vijayaraaghava temple at Thruputkuzhi shares the same story
as another.
The Jataayu Moksham is a story that relates to Pulla Bhoothangkudi Divya Desam (about 10 kms West of Kumbakonam). The question arises as to how two Divya Desams can have the same event connected to it.
There are many reasons to believe that Pullabhoothangkudi is more likely
to be connected with Jataayu Moksham and not ThiruPutkuzhi. Thirumangai
Azhvaar in his praise of the Lord at Pulla Bhoothangkudi refers
specifically to Raama with a bow (called Valvil Rama) while in his
praise of ThiruPutkuzhi Lord, Thirumangai Azhvaar does not refer
directly to Raama.
Also, in several of his Paasurams relating to Pullabhoothangkudi,
Thirumangai refers to the Raamaayana. Raama is said to have taken the
Chola route to Thirupullani and then to Lanka and is unlikely to have
passed through Kanchipuram ...Read the post and comments
Source: prtraveller.blogspot.com
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