Adi Kesava Perumal Temple In Chennai

Sri Adi Kesava Perumal Temple at Sriperumbudur in South India is one of the most important Vaishnaivite temples in India. This is the birthplace of Ramanuja.

About Adi Kesava Perumal Temple :

The Adi Kesava Perumal Temple is located in Kesava Perumal Street, Mylapore, Chennai. Peyalvar was found on a lily flower in the pond of the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Mylapore, Chennai. He is considered to be an incarnation of Nandakam, the sword of Sri Vishnu. The devotional songs of Peyalvar form the Divya Prabandham “Moonram Thiruvandhadhi”.

Sri Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Sriperumbudur is considered as one of the main Vishnu temples in the entire India. This is a big and ancient temple located at the heart of the Sriperumbudur town. Lord Vishnu is named as Adi Kesava in this temple. He is found in the standing posture along with his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in the main shrine.

Attraction Of Adi Kesava Perumal Temple In Chennai :

Srinivasa Temple near “Chitra Kulam” in Mylapore, is administered by the Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam (SVDD)]. It is located just beside the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, which has an imposing gopuram that can be seen from quite a distance.

The Srinivasa temple has a history of over 350 years. A vigraha of Sri Vedanta Desika was brought from the adjacent Kesavaperumal temple and installed here. Since elders felt that the Acharya should not preside alone, a vigraha of Lakshmi Hayagriva modelled on the idol of the Mysore Parakala mutt was brought and installed. The Parakala mutt is also located in Mylapore (opposite road to Mylai railway station). The shrine of the great teacher Vedantha Desika is the one that faces north and it is the first shrine one sees in the temple. Sri Vedantha Desika lived over 730 years ago in South India. He wrote erudite commentaries on Ramanuja’s Sribhashyam, Gita Bhashyam and was a great exponent of Visishtadvaita.

Hayagriva was the “upasana daivam” of Vedantha Desika and therefore worshipping him here is considered doubly beneficial. He is said to have performed penance in Sivanasamudram on the banks of the Cauvery river for 10 years. He lived on this earth for 120 years, which is the prescribed lifespan of a human being according to ancient texts. He left behind five noted disciples (Jeers). Apart from the sanctum dedicated to Alameluthayar , there are shrines to Lord Rama, Lord Narasimha and the Azhwars[15].

Throughout the year, a number of festivals are celebrated in the temple. Srinivasa Perumal Brahmothsavam, Desikar Uthsavam, Pavithra Uthsavam, Sri Rama Navami are the more prominent ones.

History Adi Kesava Perumal Temple In Chennai :

The Boodha Ganas – an army-like division of Lord Shiva’s empire – approached Lord Vishnu for relief from a curse spelt on them by Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu created a spring here through a serpent named Ananha (Anantha Saras Theertham), gave darshan to the Bhoodas from its bank and relieved them of the curse. As a token of their gratitude, the Bhoodha Ganas erected this temple for Lord Vishnu. Hence, the place is called Bhoodhapuri. The Lord is named Adikesava Perumal.

This is the birth place of Saint Ramanuja, great Philosopher of Vaishnavism. The town hosts Sri Adi Kesava Perumal Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in the standing posture here is known as Sri Adhikesava Perumal with his consorts Shreedevi and Bhoodevi bestows his abundant grace on his devotees.

The divine mother [Thayar] is known as “Sri Yatirajanathavalli Thayar” meaning she is the consort of the master to Yathiraja i.e. Ramanuja. This is the only temple where Goddess Lakshmi has a name attributed to a devotee of the Lord. She is a varaprasadi who grants all wishes. The temple is in the south Indian style of temple architecture with feature of both Chola and Vijayanagara periods.

Festival :

Masi Pooram in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March April are the important festivals of the temple. On the last Friday of Panguni (March-April) or on the last Friday of Chithirai, Tirumanjanam is simultaneously performed for Lord Adikesava Perumal, Mother Yathiraja Valli, Sri Andal and Acharya Sri Ramanuja.

Temple’s Speciality :

Sriperumbudur is the Avathara Sthala (birth place) of the celebrated Vaishnavite Acharya who established the Vishishtadvaida philosophy. As a heaven by itself on earth giving birth to the great Acharya, there is no Sorgavasal in the temple as is traditionally seen in Lord Vishnu temples. On the Vaikunda Ekadasi day falling in December-January, both Lord and Acharya grace together in the Boodhakal Mandap. As a formality, only the belled doors of the shrine are opened on the occasion.