Sri Vadaraja Perumal Temple, Coimbatore

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple is located in Vignesh Nagar, Cheran MaNagar, Coimbatore. The temple hosts Sri Varadharaja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

The main deities at the temple are Sri Varadharaja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Sri Maha Lakshmi, Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka, Sri Anjaneya, Sri Murugan, Sri Durga, Sri Dhakshinamurthy and Navagraha.

History

Vignesh nagar, a residential colony was promoted as early as 1989 just two years after Cheran Maanagar an exclusive residential outfit containing more than 500 houses to cater the housing needs of the erstwhile Cheran.

Transport Corporation employees was developed. As soon as Vignesh Nagar was developed into residential plots, the promoters in the first instance erected a small Vinayaka temple dedicated to Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka, on the reserved site and the samprokshanam was performed on 9.9.1990. This is the oldest temple in the area.

Sri Vara Siddhi Vinayaka temple has all along been maintained by AbOUT 30 residents around the temple and with limited recourses the temple was well maintained. However commensurate with the growth of houses around the temple and the migration of more number of urban dwellers to this tranquil and non-polluted area, the need to construct a proper temple according to Agama regulations was keenly felt by the residents. When the matter of constructing a new temple for Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka was discussed, there was a popular demand that an additions temple within the spacious precincts for Lord Maha Vishnu would be more appropriate.

Bhoomi Pooja: In order to fulfill the aspirations of all the public the Bhoomi Pooja for the construction of a new temple for Lord Varadaraja and a new sanctum with two tier Vimanam over it for Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka, was held on Wednesday, 27.10.2004. Ordinarily days found fit Vasthu pooja may not coincide with an auspicious Muhoortham. But it so happened that 27.10.2005 happened to be Wednesday-a day auspicious to Lord Maha Vishnu. The asterism was also Revathi, another auspicious day-the asterism of Lord Ranganatha of Sri Rangam, popularly known as PERIA PERUMAL.

Before Bhoomi pooja, in September the land for Perumal temple was cleared and was ploughed by two yoked cows. Navadhanya were sowed on the land and after three weeks the fully grown pulse plants were grazed by the cows to their heart's content.

Garba Nyasa - ceremony on Vasthu Pooja: On the auspicious day, the important ceremony of Garba Nyasa, nowadays very rarely performed, was done by Pancharatna vedic pandits Sri Ubaya Vedanta Chakkaravarthi Venkateswara Iyengar. In the foundation pit, another small pit measuring 1 X 1 sq ft and a depth of about two feet was made in which a silver casket containing a panchaloka idol of Lord Vishnu with navadhanya, panchaloha, navaratna was installed with due ceremonies. A pipe of 4" diameter was erected over this pit, which extended to the garbagruha floor where the idol of Lord Varadaraja was to be installed. This is called garba nyasa.

Reconstruction of Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple: The old platform housing the very rare Valampuri idol of Varasiddhi Vinayaka was completely demolished, a new foundation was made on which as actogonally shaped sanctum was constructed. The octogonal shape of the sanctum is a rarity which has its own charm and mythical power because of its eight angles.

On the three sides outside niches have been beautifully constructed in which, on the southern side Lord Bala Dakshinamoorthy, on the western side Lord Balasubrahmanya and on the northern side Goddess Swayamvara Durga have been installed

Special features

The ocotogonal shape of the sanctum sanctorum has been extended to the two tier Vimanayam also which is about 18 feet high. On the two tiers, as many as 16 Vinayaka forms (Shotasa Ganapathi) have been fixed and in between the four corners carry the very exotic Ganapathi images of Lord Karpaka Vinayaka of Pillayarpatti, Sri Vathapi Ganapathi, Raja Ganapathi and Sri Vaishnava Ganapathi--a rare idol carrying holding baby Krishna on his lap.

Maha Mantapa

Maha Mantapa: The Maha Mantapa of Perumal shrine measures about 1000sq ft and is supported by ten exquisitely fashioned ornate pillars carrying the idols of Dasavathara. It has so happened the idols of Poorna Avatharas of Lord Vishnu viz., Rama Avathara and Krishna Avatharaadore the two pillars opposite Lord Hanuman.

On the ceiling in front of Lord Varadaraja, instead of a floral design, the Sudharsana Chakra in three dimension has been created. Similarly, in front of Sri Mahalakshmi sannithi also the yantra prescribed in Sri Sookta has been designed. Devotees standing exactly below these yantras and praying to the Lord and his divine Consort can feel their divine effect.

Thulasi around Perumal

Around the sanctums of Lord Varadaraja and Sri Mahalakshmi, Tulsi plants are grown abutting the sanctum walls and when devotees go round the sanctums they also unwittingly circumambulate the sacred thulsi plants also

Garden Temple

The whole temple complex is adorned with a flower garden and every free space is utilised to plant flowering plants and trees which are well maintained. Again around the temple also on all the four sides, barring the main entrances, flowering plants are maintained with a small pond with lot of lotus flowers.

Temple Goals

This divine place is run by a private trust, is aimed at upholding the Hindu culture and spreading Dharma. The temple also works towards safeguarding community values and peace of mind. Trust policy treats all the devotees with same respect irrespective of their religion, cast, color or economic and social status, making one of unique of its kind.

Rituals

Various religious and social rituals are held on daily basis at the temple premises. Sri Sukesha, chief priest presides all poojas and prayers which adhere to the methods of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetam. Priests and temple management ensure all the rituals are performed with immense devotion and respect.

Devotees enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere at temple and participate actively in all poojas and prayers. Many Hindu Karmas like Namakaranam, Wedding, etc are held at the Mantapam. Since the temple came to existence, there has been continuous increase in the number of devotees visiting the temple. During past year or so this place has become famous religious site in the city.

Pooja Timings

On regular days temple open from 6:00am to 10:30am in morning, and 5:00pm to 8:00pm in evenings. On Friday and Saturday mornings temple is open till 11am.

Morning open hours 6:00am to 10:30am Abhishekam 6:30am to 7:30am Morning main Pooja 8:00am Evening open hours 5:00pm to 8:00pm Evening main Pooja 7:45pm note: all are local time

Margazhi month temple open from 5:00am for special pooja in early hours. Note: Festivals and other special seasonal days temple hours may change. Check the temple website (http://www.sriperumal.org) for more details.

Reaching There

Coimbatore is a District Headquarter, and well connected by Air, Rail and Road. There are frequent connecting flights and trains to & from major cities of India.

By Air: Peelamedu Airport (CJB) is just 4km away from the Temple. Jet Airways, Air Deccan, GoAir, Paramount Airways, Indian Airlines connect Coimbatore to many cities across India.

By Rail: Trains to various places of India are accessible from Coimbatore Junction. Please visit Indian Railways website for details on schedule and ticketing.

By Road: State Transport Corporation's Interstate Express buses are available from the Central Bus Stand , situated at Gandhipuram, Coimbatore. From there local buses / Taxis are available to Cheran Managar/Vignesh Nagar.

Note: Taxis from airport, railway station or central bus stand will cost Rs.150 approximately.

Priests

Daily rituals at the temple are run by Sri Sukesha, a vedic scholar from Sringeri.