Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple – Vandiyur, Madurai

Presiding Deity :      Sri Veeraraghava Perumal
Mother Goddess :     Sridevi. Boomadevi and also Andal
Holy tree :    Bodhi Satva tree (Arasamaram) and Bilwa tree
Holy spring :     Well water
Ritual procedure:      Pancharathra Agama
Vimanam :     Chaturpuja
Antiquity:      500 years

History:

According to hearsay, the statue of Lord Veeraraghava Perumal was found in the Vaigai river during the days of Thirumalai Naicker and was installed in the northern bank of the river.

Specialities in the temple:

In the sanctum sanctorum, the Lord appears with Andal Nachiar. The forms of Sivalinga, Sivalinga with a snake, Vinayaka and various forms of Lord Krishna are beautifully designed in the pillars. The shrine of Chakarathalwar is in the south of the temple and the Navagrahas (nine planets) are installed in the Northeast.

Mandooka Maharshi was relieved of a curse in this place and it was named after him as Mandiyur which later changed as Vandiyur. It is also said that Thirumalai Naicker used to park his Vandi (Vehicle) here and the place was named Vandiyur.

During the Chithirai festival in Madurai, Azhagar Swami procession,will be stopped here the night before the final day of the procession when Abishek is offered to the deity here. Next day, Sesha Vahanam starts after the Vairamudi darshan. Vandiyur Veeraraghava Perumal temple is linked with the Kallazhagar temple.

Prayer:

Girls, whose marriage is delayed pray to the Lord for wedlock. Sooner the prayers of the devotee are fulfilled, they offer Sari to Andal and perform special pujas. A water spraying commitment is undertaken by the devotees in this temple.

Festivals:

The most famous is the Chithirai festival. Thirukarthikai and Vaikunda Ekadasi are also observed in a grand manner every year.

Puja time is from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

General information:

Vandiyur is 5 Kms from Madurai. The temple is close to the bus stand. Adequate bus conveyance facilities are available from Madurai Periyar bus stand. Temple telephone No. 0452 – 2530329. Nearest railway station and the airport is Madurai.