SRI BHOOVARAAHA SWAMY TEMPLE

SRI BHOOVARAAGA SWAMY TEMPLE

 Sri Mushnam, Cuddalore district

To reach the temple...

From Cuddalore (via Vadalur) - 68 kms

From Virudhachalam - 22 kms

From Ulundurpet (via Virudhachalam) - 40 kms

From Kumbakonam (via Jayamkondan) - 36 kms

From Chidambaram - (via Bhuvanagiri) - 36 kms

Name of the deity

Sri Bhoovaraaga Perumal

About the Temple

This temple is dedicated to Varaagar (the boar avatar, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu)

History

Bhoovaraga Samy temple was built by the 10th century Chozha kings. Later it was extended & renovated by the Thanjavur Nayak King Atchuthappa Nayakar in the 16th & 17th centuries. 

Architecture

- 150 feet seven-tired Raja Gopuram 

- The 16 pillared hall is considered as the master piece of Nayak art.

- Pillars are sculpted with images of the Nayak King, his associates, musicians, dancers and many miniature idols. 

A sculpture of a woman with a single braid carved in stone

An associate who belonged to the court of King Achuthappa Nayak

A warrior on a horse with beautiful carvings

A merchant who came here on a camel from a foreign country

(Note the robe worn on his head)

Beautiful woman wearing high heels slippers

                                                                 

Main Deity

- 2 feet Bhoovaraga Samy (Perumal) is made in Saligrama stone. 

- Boar face of Bhoovaragar is facing south.

- Varaagar is standing in victorious position as he killed the demon named Hiranyaksha.

Shrines in the temple

1. Ambujavalli Thayaar Sannidhi

2. Garudar Sannidhi

3. Aandaal Sannidhi

4. Ramanujar Sannidhi

5. Nammazhwar Sannidhi

6. Venugopala Sannidhi

7. Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi

8. Thirumangai Aalwaar Sannidhi

9. Manavaala Maamunigal Sannidhi

10. Kuzhandhai Amman Sannidhi

11. Thirukachi Nambi Sannidhi

Veera Rajendra Chozhan, Kulothunga Chozhan I, Vijayanagara Kings & Udayaarpalayam Jameendhars have given grants to this temple.

The temple has inscriptions in Telugu which says about the grants offered to this temple by Sri Ranga Raya Deva of Vijayanagar Empire. 

Religious Harmony

- Only in this Hindu temple, Muslims are allowed till the Artha Mandapam which is before Karuvarai to worship Bhoovaraagavar. 

- The flag for the temple chariot is offered by Muslims. 

- During Maasi Magam festival procession of Bhoovaraagavar Urchavar, the Imam of the Dharga offers prayers to the Urchavar.

Top attractions of the temple

1. The Raja Gopuram

2. Deity in the Raja Gopuram (all can climb a few steps to reach a deity in the Raja Gopuram)

3. The 16 pillared Mandapam

4. Intricate carvings of sculptures in the 16 pillared Mandapam

5. A sculpture of a lady with a single plait hair style which was carved five hundred years ago

6. A soldier on a horse 

7. The ceiling has lotus medallion sculptures

Moolavar                     

Sri Boovaraaga Samy Perumal                       

Thaayaar / Goddess    

Ambujavalli Thaayaar

Urchava Moorthy       

Sri Yagna Varagha Samy                                     

Thala Virucham          

Arasa Maram (Bodhi Tree)                                 

Theertham                   

Nithya Pushkarani

Prasadham                   

Mushtapi Chooranam

(As the lord is in the incarnation of boar, Korai Kizhangu is offered as Prasadham )

Vimaanam                   

Bhavana Vimaanam

Words cannot describe the beauty and holiness of the temple. To enjoy the beauty of the temple, one must visit the temple in the early morning.