Tirupullam Boothangudi Valvil Raman Temple

Tirupullam Boothangudi is a village located near Kumbakonam town in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The village is home to a significant Vishnu temple known as Valvil Raman Temple. This temple is considered the 10th Divya Desam in the Chola region. Let's delve into the details of this temple in the following article.

Highlights:

• Tirumangai Alwar has composed hymns about this site in his verses.
• It is considered as the 10th Divya Desam temple. It is located in the Chola region.
• It is considered as a Budha Parihara Sthalam
• Rama is found in the reclining posture.
• The utsav image of Rama has four arms and he is holding conch and discus.
• God - Valvil Raman
• Goddess - Potramaraiyal; Utsav deity - Hemambujavalli
• Teerth (holy water) - Jatayu Teerth or Kruthra Teerth 
• Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Punnai
• Vimana - Shobana Vimana

Legend:

According to the legend, Lord Rama performed the last rites for the giant eagle Jatayu in Tirupullam Boothangudi. The Tamil word "Pul" means bird, hence the site is referred to as Pullam Boothangudi.

After performing the rites, Rama rested in a reclining posture in this temple. As Rama's wife, Sita, was not with him during the last rites, Bhoo Devi accompanied Rama and is found near his feet in the temple.

In another legend, a devoted Vishnu worshiper named Kruthra Raja performed penance towards Vishnu and received his darshan in this site.

Tirumangai Alwar, while passing through this site without initially realizing that the deity was Rama in a reclining posture, returned and prayed to Lord Rama. Rama appeared to him in the form of Vishnu with four arms, holding a conch, discus, bow, and arrow.

In yet another story about this temple, it is said that Lakshmi was born in the temple tank and is referred to as Potramaraiyal, which means "the golden lotus" in Tamil.

My Opinion:

I have difference of opinion with the primary legend of this temple. Let me explain why.

If Rama had to take rest after performing funeral rites of Jatayu, why would he sleep in the typical Sayana posture of Vishnu? Why would he lie down on Adi Sesha and how he would have had Brahma in his navel? There is no logic for Rama to appear totally like Vishnu in the first place.

As Sita was not there, it is said that Bhoo Devi accompanied Rama to perform the final rites of Jatyu. It is not acceptable. Bhoo Devi might be the wife of Vishnu. However, when it comes to Rama, she is considered as the mother of Sita, Rama's consort. Hence, I don't think the mother in law of Rama would have accompanied him in the place of her own daughter.

The utsav images of typical Vishnu with four arms along with his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are found in the main shrine. However, it is said that the main image is Rama with four arms and he is accompanied by Sita and Bhoo Devi. This is again not acceptable for two reasons. The first reason is that Bhoo Devi is the mother in law of Rama. The second reason is that the highlight of Rama's life is that he has always been portrayed as Eka Patni Vrita. How can he be portrayed with two women? If Bhoo Devi accompanied Rama to help him to perform his duty towards the giant eagle as Sita was not there, how come Sita along with Bhoo Devi are present with Rama in the form of utsav images?

The sculptures of Lakshmana, Hanuman and Jatayu are found worshiping Rama in the reclining posture in the sanctum. I don't think it could be Lakshmana. As per one of the legends, Vishnu gave darshan to Rama. Hence, I believe the sculpture of the deity who is found to hold bow must be Rama and not Lakshmana.

If Rama performed final rites of Jatayu in this site, why would we find Jatayu along with Lakshmana worshiping Rama? As per the legend, Rama was taking rest after the death of Jatayu and hence he is found in the reclining posture. Now, how did Jatayu enter into the scene? Also, there is a vanara seen along with him. Regardless of whether it is Hanuman or Sugreeva, how come we have a Vanara along with Jatayu. The Vanaras are introduced in Valmiki Ramayana only after the death of Jatayu. Hence, there is no way that we can have a Vanara and Jatayu together.

This is what I could logically connect and accordingly identify the sculptures. It must be Vishnu in the reclining posture like any other Vishnu temple. He has only Bhoo Devi accompanied him. (There are temples where only Bhoo Devi is found instead of both the consorts.) As he gave darshan to Rama, the figure holding bow must be Rama. Probably, he would have given darshan to Hanuman and Jatayu in different times and hence along with Rama, both of them appear with the folded hands. 

I would identify the utsav images as Vishnu with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. 

Probably, Tirumangai Alwar saw this Vishnu as Rama and recited hymns accordingly, such stories must have been built up later. 

History:

The temple was constructed by the Cholas.

Temple Layout:

The east-facing temple features a five-tiered Raja gopuram (tower). A tall flagstaff, bali peetha, and a shrine for Garuda are situated facing the sanctum.

In the sanctum, Lord Rama (or Vishnu) is depicted reclining on Adi Sesha with Brahma in His navel. There are large relief images of Lakshmana (or Rama?), Hanuman, and Jatayu worshiping the Lord. Bhoo Devi is found near the feet of Rama (or Vishnu).

The utsav images of Valvil Rama with Sita and Bhoo Devi (or Vishnu with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi) are also located in the sanctum.

The temple's Maha mandapa section retains beautifully renovated ancient pillars. Sub-shrines dedicated to Alwars, Vishwaksena, and Yoga Narasimha are found here.

In the prakara, there is a sub-shrine for Goddess Potramaraiyal. The utsav deity Hemambujavalli is also present here.

A small sub-shrine of Hanuman is located near the flagstaff.

Happy travelling.