Pundarikakshan Perumal temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas, as seen from the three inscriptions in its two rock-cut caves. Two of the inscriptions are dated from the period of Nandivarman II (732–796 AD) and the other from the period of Dantivarman (796–847 AD). The temple construction completed presumably during the time of Dantivarman.
The influence of Azhwars, the Vaishanva saints of the 7th–9th centuries helped spread Vaishnavism to a greater extent among the public and the ruling Pallava kings, who became temple patrons.
A Chola inscription indicates an endowment to the shrines of Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) and his consort Rukmini inside the temple by King Parakesarivarman (907–955 AD).
The temple had later additions from the subsequent Chola, later Pandyas, Hoysala and the Vijayanagara kings.
The temple suffered extensive damage during a flood and was repaired by a merchant around 1262–63.
In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. An Executive officer appointed by the Board manages the temple along with Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple at Woraiyur, Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple and Mariamman Temple at Anbil. Annadhanam scheme, which provides free food to devotees, is implemented in the temple by the Board. Under the scheme, free food is offered to hundred devotees every day in the temple and the expenditure is fully funded by the contributions from devotees.
The word Vellarai means white rock. Owing to the presence of white rocks in the region, the place is historically referred to as Thiru Vellara. As per Hindu legend, when Sibi Chakravarthi stayed there with his warriors, a white boar crossed his path. He chased it and the boar hid inside a hole. Markandeya, a sage, was doing penance there and the king narrated the incident to him.
The sage asked the king to fill the hole with milk. While doing so, Hindu god Vishnu appeared before them. The sage asked the king to bring 3700 Vaishnavites from the north and build a temple on the site for Vishnu. As requested, the king took 3700 Vaishnavites and started building the temple. While doing so, one of the Vaishnavites was killed in transit and the king was concerned by the accident.
Vishnu appeared incognito as Pundarikakshan, a Vaishnavite, and requested to be counted among the 3700
According to another legend Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, performed penance at the temple, and Vishnu appeared before her as Sengamalakannan. The presiding deity has since been called "Thamarai Kannan", meaning the one who has eyes resembling lotus; his consort is called "Pankajha-Valli". The Hindu god Shiva in form of Neelivaneswarar is believed to have worshipped Pundarikakshan to absolve himself from the sin of holding Brahma's severed head. Vishnu appeared to both Shiva and Brahma, adhering to their prayers.
The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periazhwar in eleven hymns and Thirumangai Azhwar in thirteen hymns.
The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Some of the ancient Sanskrit books consider the temple as an uthamakshetram, meaning the place that gives the best to its devotees.
The sculptures on the pillars of the temple reveal the earliest practice of Krishna worship in Tamil Nadu.
Vedantha Desikar (1269–1370) has revered the temple in his work Hamsa Sandesam. As per Hindu legend, the eighteen steps in the temple represent the eighteen chapters of the Hindu scripture Bhagawad Gita and the last four steps represent the four vedas, the sacred Hindu religious texts.
The sound made in front of some of the big pillars of the temple echoes around the temple. Some of the sacred verses are recited more than once in front of these pillars during worship. Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Uyyakondar , a disciple of Nathamunigal . Also, Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Engalazhwan (Vishnuchitthar) is believed to have taught Sri Bhasyam to Nadadhoor Ammal in the temple.
According to Hindu legend Ramanuja (1017–1137), the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy, visited the temple. One of his disciples placed Ramanuja's sandals along with the image of Varadarajan. Ramanujar became furious at this, for which the disciple explained that for Ramanuja Varadarajar is god, but for him, Ramanuja is supreme.
Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Uyyakondar, a disciple of Nathamuni. Swami Engalazhwan is believed to have taught Sri Bhasyam to Nadadhoor Ammal in the temple.
The Jiyar of the temple, the head of the temple, is named Pankaya Selvi Jiyar after the name of the Thayar of the temple.
The Tamil word 'Vellarai' is actually 'Vellai Parai' which means 'white rock'. As the sacred site is located approximately 100 feet on a small artificial hillock made of granite slabs, the temple is called as 'Thiruvellarai'. In the Deva Baasha of Sanskrit, Thiruvellarai is called as 'Swetagiri' which also references the hillock of white rock. Thiruvellarai is also called by many other names and some of them are Hita Kshethram, Adhivellarai and Uthama Kshethram.
Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple
Apart from being one among the Divyadesams of Lord Vishnu, Thiruvellarai is the place of birth of Uyyakondar, an adherent of Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE) and Thirukurukai Piran pillan, the second son of Periya Thirumalai Nambi. Uyyakondar also called as Engalazhwan is believed to have instructed Sri Bhasyam to Nadadhoor Ammal in this very temple.
To seek the blessings of Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal (Lord Vishnu), devotees will have to climb 18 stairs which surprisingly has a relation to the represents the illustrious Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. The 18 stairs at the Thiruvellarai temple represents the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Chapter 1: Visada Yoga
- Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga
- Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
- Chapter 4: Jnana Yoga
- Chapter 5: Karma Vairagya Yoga
- Chapter 6: Abhyasa Yoga
- Chapter 7: Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga
- Chapter 8: Aksara-Parabrahman Yoga
- Chapter 9: Raja-Vidya-Guhya Yoga
- Chapter 10: Vibhuti-Vistara-Yoga
- Chapter 11: Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga
- Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga
- Chapter 13: Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
- Chapter 14: Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga
- Chapter 15: Purusottama Yoga
- Chapter 16: Daivasura-Sampad-Vibhaga Yoga
- Chapter 17: Sraddhatraya-Vibhaga Yoga
- Chapter 18: Moksa-Opadesa Yoga
Further, the devotees will have to climb another 4 stairs at the entrance of gopuram which represent Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. Proceeding further, devotees will be reaching the Bali Peetam of this temple. After the Bali Peetam, devotees will have to climb another 5 stairs which represent Pancha Bhootas according to Hinduism, that is to say, Fire, Earth, Water, Sky and Air.
The Garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple features two entryways, that is to say, Utharayana Gate and Dakshinayana Gate.
The same kind of two entryway system can also be witnessed in the notable Kumbakonam Sarangapani Temple. The two entryway system is well explained that every human being use two separate gates in life, one for entering and another in passing, out of life. This is directly related to the two gate concept followed in the sanctum sanctorum of Thiruvellarai temple.
- Utharayana Gate - the entryway through which all the Jeevathmas come into existence as a human and is the base of 'Kubera', the Lord of Wealth. During Utharayanam, the god is 'Suriya Narayanan'
- Dhakshinayana Gate - the entryway to the end and it is the base of Yama, the god of death. During Dakshinayanam, the god is 'Govindan’
Apart from the Utharayana Gate and Dhakshinayana Gate, the Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple also has a third entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. The third entrance is called as ‘Naazhi Kettaan Vaayil’. It is supposed that Sri Pundarikakshan was stopped and queried by the goddess, after returning from his visit. Till this day, during the temple events and festivals, after finishing the outdoor visit (veedhu ulla), Lord Vishnu has to explain the goddess about his trip at this Naazhi Kettaan Vaayil gate so that he can get inside!
Further, devotees will have to climb another eight stairs which represent the Ashta-aksharam, that is, 'Om Namo Naaraayanaaya', an eight syllable word
- OM - 1
- NA - 2
- MO - 3
- NA - 4
- RA - 5
- YA - 6
- NA - 7
- YA - 8
Thenceforth, devotees will arrive at the twenty-four stairs to enter the sanctum sanctorum. The twenty-four stairs represent one of the Gayathri Mantra (a highly revered Sanskrit mantra).
In Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, the goddess Shenbagavalli Thayar receives first rights! Also, it is strongly believed that people must come to this kshethram to seek blessings from Sri Pundarikakshan, so that they will eligible for Mukthi. Besides, there is a custom that the childless people visit this temple and have a holy dip in the temple tanks (theerthams) during the Tamil month of karthigai and seek the graces of Lord Vishnu to be blessed.
The Thiruvellarai Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is regarded to be the oldest of the Vaishnavaite sites located in all of South India. As a matter of fact, Thiruvellarai temple is much older than the far-famed Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which was constructed during Sri Rama’s time period, whereas the Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple was constructed by Sibhi Chakravarthy, a forefather of Sri Rama and thus, the name 'Aadhi Vellarai'. Another, unique rather surprising thing to notice in this temple is its half finished raja gopuram!