Amirdha Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukadaiyur… Similar to the wonderful Amirthakateswarar samedha Abirami Amman temple at Thirukadaiyur, there is also a Vishnu Temple at Thirukadaiyur known as Sri Amirdha Narayana Perumal Samedha Amirdha Valli Thayar Temple. Those who visit Amirthakateswarar Temple, must also visit Amirtha Narayana Perumal Temple, in order to get full benefit of worship! In this Temple, Sri Ramanujacharyar had once visited and worshipped Lord Amirdha Narayana Perumal and Amirdha Valli Thayar.
This shrine is also considered as place for getting relief from Ragu-Kedhu doshas.
As per ancient legend, when Devas and Asuras churned the divine ocean, Thirupparkadal and obtained the Divine Nectar. At that time, Lord Vishnu worshipped his sister Parvathy. Ma Shakti Devi appeared then with the name of Abirami and offered her grace for obtaining Amirdham. Vishnu shared the Amirdha among the Devas. An asura joined the Devas in the disguise of a Deva and drank the amirdham. He attained immortality and the strength of Devas. Vishnu cut him into two. He did not lose his life as he was immortal. The cut pieces of his body became Ragu and Kedhu and joined the Navagraha Mandala. Vishnu, who is responsible for the appearance of Abirami Ammai and also for getting Amirdham for Devas, is gracing as Amirdha Narayana Perumal at Thirukkadaiyur along with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. That the expectant men/women are blessed with good wives/husbands if they offer sincere prayers to Amirdhavalli Thayar is a famous belief.
Temple Timings are: 6.00 am to 8.30 am – 4.30 pm to 7.00 pm
Nearest Town: Mayiladuthurai.
Address: Sri Amirdha Narayana Perumal Temple,
Thirukkadaiyur (Po.),
Nagappattinam (Dt).
It is also believed that those who are unable to visit Tirumala Balaji, can offer worship at this temple, and they can also praise on Lord Venkateswara, since Lord Amirdha Narayana Perumal and Lord Venkateswara are one and the same. Hence, I have added some details about Lord Venkateswara also, for the benefit of the readers.
The world’s richest god Venkateswara, is a god who likes to wear fragrant flower garlands, golden ornaments and nice garments, since Lord Venkateswara likes to be neatly dressed and always prefers to show his beautiful appearance in front of his devotees. He looks more beautiful mainly due to his attractive beautiful garments and ornaments.
During ancient times, in Tirumala Temple, Lord Venkateswara would be adorned with nice fragrant Cardamom garlands, since he likes cardamom so much. While he was staying at the hut of his foster mother Ma Vakulamalika, the holy mother, used to serve her son, hot milk mixed with good cardamom seeds, and the Lord also used to drink it tastily with a smile on his face. But in course of time, the practice of adorning Cardamom garlands was stopped, and instead of that, Tirumala Priests began to adorn precious golden ornaments to him. My humble request to the Tirumala Priests is to again adorn the Cardamom garlands as a daily practice, to our near and dear Lord Venkateswara, since he has been adorned with his favourite Cardamom Garlands for so many years in the past. Hence as per the famous proverb, “OLD is GOLD”, let the temple authorities adorn his favourite Cardamom, by considering it as more and more precious, than that of his golden and diamond ornaments!
The Lord of seven hills, mainly expect sincere and selfless devotion from us. Even if we offer lot of golden jewels to him in a half-heartedly manner, the supreme Lord Venkateswara, would not get satisfied with our offerings. Still now, Lord Venkateswara is accepting the honour provided by the temple priests and by his devotees and daily he is being praised by millions and millions of his devotees by chanting his names and Mantras. He appears like a rich king, since he is considered as the Kings of the kings and the Lord of the Lords.
Tirumala Tirupati Temple is gaining more and more significance day by day, due to the divine beauty of Lord Venkateswara. Though we want to watch his divine appearance for a few minutes, but due to huge crowd, which would mostly prevail in the temple, we are allowed to witness the divine beauty of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala only for a few seconds! Lord Venkateswara is very fond of his devotees, irrespective of their caste, creed, gender and status. We can also offer pure butter, to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, by considering him as our sweet Lord Krishna.
Hence, let us make a habit of visiting the Tirumala Temple, which is considered to be the Bhuloka Vaikunda, earthly abode of Lord Venkateswara, at least once in a year, and let us be blessed.
“OM SRI AMIRDHA VENKATESAYA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR