004. Thiruvellarai - Sri Pundarikasha Perumal Temple, Trichy

About the Temple & Location:

It is situated in Tamil Nadu. This Shetram is situated on the way between Trichy to Urayoor, 13 Kms from the bus stop. Also has bus facility from Sri Rangam. No boarding and Lodging facility.

Sthala Puranam:

Vellarai means white rock. Since, this sthalam is situated 100 feet high in the top of the small mountain, which is white in colour, this sthalam is called "Thiru Vellarai".

The wall around this temple is very big and covering the entire area of the temple and the walls also has all the 7 theerthams.

The Lord here is referred to the Vedas, which is referred to white colour gives seva along with Thamarai Selvi periya pirattiyar in Nindra Sevai.

There are two entrances to go to the Moolasthanam (Where Moolavar is seen). The 2 entrances are named as "Utharayana Vaasal" and "Dhakshanayana Vaasal".

("From Jan 15 to June 15 is through Utharayanya Vaasal and from then to next six month, is through Dhakshanaya Vaasal"). When one Vaasal is opened the other one is closed.

Sriman Narayanan is giving dharshan to all living and non living things as Sooriya Narayanan. By extending his rays, he is giving security to the entire world.

Sooriya Narayanan, is the person who is making the plants grow, making to rain, Calulating the Jeevathmas paapans (sin) and punniyams (good things).

He is revolving round the Earth to make good things happen and to destroy the bad things (or) evils.

Based on the revolving time of the sun, the good time is calculated. And based on that only, all other Subha Muhurthams (Good days based upon Calculations) are done. The sun is revolving round the Earth is at the same time, its revolving himself. Lord Emperumaan, who turns himself has Suriya Bhaghvan, revolves round the universe and he flashes his rays to make all things live. From his rays, nothing can escape.

As we say there are two vaasals in this sthalam, we are not supposed to do any good activities in Dhakshinayana Kaalam and good things are tend to be done at Uthirayana Kaalam.

But the activities can also be done at dhakshinayana Kaalam and by worshpping Suriya Narayana and start the activity, the work will be done in a successful way.

Sri vishnu who is also named as "Maayavan" at the end of Dhakshinayana kaalam (Margazhi 15th) is named as "Thai Maatha Naayagan", at the start of Thai Month (Jan 15th)

There is a small explanation that has to be said for the two Vaasals. In the human life, there are two separate entrances, (i.e) entering to the life and getting out of it is the other.In both these Vaasals when entering in to the life and when getting out of it, he could be able to feel the presence of Paramaathma. To make to understand this, he resembles himself as "Suriya Narayanan" at the state of Utharayanam and as "Govindan" at the end of Dhakshinayanan at the end of Maargazhi.

The Dhakshinayana Vaasal is the Vaasal or entrance which leads us to the death and it is the place of the stay of Lord yeman, the king of Naragam.

The Uthirayana Vaasal, which is the Vaasal which way that all the Jeevathmas enter in to world as an humanbeing (or) a non living being, is the place of "Lord Guberan", who is the God of wealth.

Even if a person who is well enough in money and his good activity will only lead him towards the Emperumaan. And if a person is very poor and if he is a good hearted and do proper kramas, will lead him to attain the Swargam, the Heaven.

To explain this only, there are two vaasals in this Pundarikaksha Sthalam.

Sri Pundarikakshan, Bhoomi Piratti, Periya piratti, Suriya and Chandiran and Aadisheshan resembles as humans in this sthalam and it can be seen in the Moolavari Place.

Engalaazhvan has written the great "Nadaa thooram Aalukku oppatra pungai Maalai".

Nadaathoramaal means Bhakthan who is having full and entire soul of Bhakthi on the God.

The name which has been given Engalaazhvan as "Nadaathoramaal" has a very special story to be said. Every day he gives milk to Emperumaan. Thinking the milk may be hot, he makes it cold by blowing air through his mouth and gives to Emperumaan. On the action of Engalaazhvan as his mother and calls him as "Nadaathoorammaal".

Udaiyavar, Sri Ramanujar, stayed in this sthalam and explained about Vaishnavam and made it grow. Vedantha Desikar in his Hamsa Sandesam has done Mangalaasasanam.

In front of big pillar in his temple, when we make any sound, it replicates and echo around the temple. Because of this, some of paasurams in Divyapprabhandhams are said for 2 or 3 times.

Specials:

• This temple has a biggest wall (Mathil sevar)

• Birth place of Bhakthar Uyyakondaar.

• Situated on top of the Mountain which is fall of white rocks and 100 feet high.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Pundarikashan.
Moolavar in standing position facing east direction.
Prathyaksham for Garudan, called as "Periya Thiruvadi", Sibi chakravarthy, Bhoomi Piratti, Maarkandeya Maharishi, Lord Brahma, Rudhran (Lord Shiva).

Thayaar

Shenbagavalli. Also called as "Peri Piraattiyaar Lakshmi Devi". Seperate sannadhi for Thaayar. Utsavar thaayar is named as "Pangajavalli".

Mangalasasanam:

• Periyalwar - 11 Paasurams

• Thirumangai Alwar - 13
  Total - 14

Pushkarani:

      1.       Divya Theertham.

      2.       Kanda Kshree Theertham.

      3.       Chakkara Theertham.

      4.       Chakkara Theertham.

      5.       Pushkala Theertham.

      6.       Padma Theertham.

      7.       Varaaha Manikarnika Theertham.

Vimanam:
Vimalaakkruthi Vimaanam.