Sundararaja Perumal Temple - Tirumanam Village, Sidharkadu

Tirumanam, popularly known as Sidharkadu, is a quaint village situated within the Vayalanallur post, located approximately 30 km from Chennai. It shares its proximity with the well-known locality of Pattabiram, situated around 10 km from this serene village. Tirumanam is renowned for housing two ancient and captivating temples, one of which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known as Sundararaja Perumal in this sacred shrine. Join us in this article as we delve into the history and charm of this divine abode.

Highlights:

• God - Sundararaja Perumal
• Goddess - Sundara Valli
• 800 years old Pandya period temple
• Special temple for those who have Swati as their birth star

Legend:

Origin

In ancient times, Tirumanam was graced by the presence of Sowgandhika flower plants, earning it the name Sowgandhika Puram.Lord Brahma was enchanted by the captivating beauty of this lush forest and chose it as the sacred site for his penance dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Deep in meditation, Brahma received a divine vision as Lord Vishnu, along with his divine consort Lakshmi, graced him with their presence. Overwhelmed by their exquisite beauty, Brahma affectionately named them Sundararaja (the embodiment of beauty) and Sundaravalli (the beautiful consort). This loving moniker, Sundar, alluding to beauty, perfectly encapsulates the divine charm they exhibited to Brahma during this auspicious encounter.

Name of the Village

The village was originally known as Tirumandram or Harisaranalaya Nallur before transforming into Tirumanam. The presence of Siddhas in this village has also led to it being referred to as Siddharkadu.

Tirumazhisai Alwar

It is believed that this is the very site where Tirumazhisai Alwar, a revered Vaishnava saint, performed his penance towards Lord Vishnu.

History:

The temple is said to have been initiated by the Pandya King Jatavarman Sundara Pandya during the 13th century CE. However, the king passed away in battle before the temple's completion. Subsequently, a wealthy local resident named Nalla Chinnaswami Mudaliyar took charge and oversaw the temple's construction. He continued to maintain the temple using the income generated from his vast 100-acre field. His descendants have upheld the temple's care and maintenance to this day. It's worth noting that the temple's architectural style is more aligned with the Vijayanagara tradition rather than the Pandya style.

Temple Layout:

The temple faces east and boasts an impressive five-tier Raja gopura adorned with fascinating stucco images. The temple premises span an area of one acre.

Within the east-facing sanctum, Lord Sundararaja Perumal stands tall with his divine consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, on either side, all in a standing posture. The temple complex also features a bali peetha, a lofty flagstaff, and a dedicated sub-shrine for Garuda, all oriented toward the primary sanctum.

The dwara palas (doorkeepers) guarding the sanctum's entrance are colossal and intricately designed. Within the Maha mandapa, you'll find images of revered saints such as Tirumazhisai Alwar, Nammalvar, Tirumangai Alwar, Senai Mudaliyar, and Ramanujar.

Utsav metal images of Lord Sundararaja Perumal with his divine consorts, along with deities like Achyuta, Ananta, Nardana Krishna, Sudarshan, Tirumazhisai Alwar, Nammalvar, Tirumangai Alwar, Senai Mudaliyar, and Ramanuja, are housed in a separate sub-shrine within the Maha mandapa area, with Tirumazhisai Alwar depicted prominently.

The temple features a dual-prakara (two enclosures) around the sanctum. In the outer prakara, you'll find shrines dedicated to Goddess Sundaravalli and Andal. Both shrines boast exquisite vimanas and elegantly sculpted pillars in their front mandaps.

The Kalyana Mandapa, situated near the flagstaff, stands out with its numerous pillars adorned with beautiful sculptures. A remarkable sculpture of Garudakkodi Siddhar on one of the pillars in the Andal mandap has become popular among devotees. It is believed that Garudakkodi Siddhar, a Siddha who resided in this village, was a devout devotee of Garuda.

A small sub-shrine featuring Lord Nardana Krishna is an intriguing highlight within the temple. Additionally, the temple complex houses a sub-shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, positioned outside the temple premises and facing the Raja gopura.

Rare sculpture of Lord Shiva in Vishnu temple

Between the Sundararaja Perumal temple and the Shiva temple in this village, you'll find a sizable tank, offering a serene setting.

Near the shrine of Andal, a Tulsi plant and an Amla (Nelli) tree grow side by side. It is believed that performing a marriage ritual between these two plants grants childless couples the blessing of children. This custom is also believed to fulfill the marriage wishes of those who partake in the ritual.

Throughout the temple, you'll encounter an impressive 17 relief images of Lord Narasimha in various postures, etched on different pillars, adding a unique dimension to your temple exploration.

Happy travelling.