Srimushnam
Encyclopedia
Srimushnam is a panchayat town of the Cuddalore district
in the India
n state
of Tamil Nadu located about 24 miles (38.6 km) west of Chidambaram
and 12 miles (19.3 km) south east of Vridhachalam. Srimushnam is sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists and is one of the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras of Vaishnavas.
The town has an average elevation of 39 metres (128 ft).
resides in Srimushnam in three forms: the 'Ashwatha tree', 'Nithya Pushkarani' and 'Bhoovaraha Swamy'. The temple cistern, the 'Nithya Pushkarani', contains water known for its medicinal value as a panacea. The towering 'Ashwatha tree', stands near the sacred cistern and is believed to have the beneficial effect of blessing sterile women with progeny. Meditation and chanting of the 'Gayathri Mantra' under the tree after bathing in the holy cistern are said to vouchsafe a place in the heavens.
s such as the thiru ther (temple vehicle).
, avatar of Vishu, along with his consorts Letchumi
and Bhūmi
, go around the four mada streets around the temple. This culminates in the celebration of the "float festival" - Theppotsavam - in the 'Ashwatha Pushkaram'. The Lord and his two consorts, accompanied by their retinue, then go for a boat ride in the illuminated temple cistern. .
During the Brahmotsavam, the vehicle
festival attracts people from all around the neighbourhood. During Masi Maham (the full moon during February–March), Vishnu and his consort visit the neighbouring hamlets and towns where they give darśana to devotees.
The 'Navarathri' festival involves the goddess Hemambujavalli being decorated with silk sarees and flower garlands. She is carried in a palanquin festooned with fragrant flowers on the last Friday of the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai.
am at the temple.
Cuddalore District
Cuddalore District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Cuddalore is the district headquarters. For the first time, urn burial grave goods were found in the village of Marungur in the district, carrying inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi from the 1st century...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Tamil Nadu located about 24 miles (38.6 km) west of Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
and 12 miles (19.3 km) south east of Vridhachalam. Srimushnam is sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists and is one of the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras of Vaishnavas.
The town has an average elevation of 39 metres (128 ft).
Deity
Srimushnam's presiding deity is 'Lord Bhuvaraha', which gives the town its alternative name, 'Varaha Kshetram'. Lord Bhuvaraha's consort is Ambujavalli Thayar while the temple icon is formed naturally from a saligarama (black smooth round stone) and is also called 'Yagna Varahan'. The utsavamurthy does not resemble a wild boar in accordance with the desires of his celestial consort. This is the only place where all deities are Varaha Murtis.Three forms of Vishnu
Tradition states that Lord VishnuVishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
resides in Srimushnam in three forms: the 'Ashwatha tree', 'Nithya Pushkarani' and 'Bhoovaraha Swamy'. The temple cistern, the 'Nithya Pushkarani', contains water known for its medicinal value as a panacea. The towering 'Ashwatha tree', stands near the sacred cistern and is believed to have the beneficial effect of blessing sterile women with progeny. Meditation and chanting of the 'Gayathri Mantra' under the tree after bathing in the holy cistern are said to vouchsafe a place in the heavens.
History
The temple is extremely ancient and has suffered the vicissitudes of nature over time. According to its inscriptions, the temple rose to prominence in the 16th century. Rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1646) took special interest in its renovation and constructed mandabams along with shrines. They also systematised the daily Pujas (rituals) and designed important vahanaVahana
Vāhana denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular deva is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vāhana is often called the deity's mount. Upon the partnership between the deva and his vāhana is woven much iconography and mythology...
s such as the thiru ther (temple vehicle).
Festivals
The Tamil New Year heralds the upcoming festivals in the Srimushnam temple. During the month of April–May Chitrai Utsavam is celebrated. VarahaVaraha
Varaha is the third Avatar of the Hindu Godhead Vishnu, in the form of a Boar. He appeared in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth and carried it to the bottom of what is described as the cosmic ocean in the story. The battle between Varaha and Hiranyaksha is believed to...
, avatar of Vishu, along with his consorts Letchumi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
and Bhūmi
Bhumi
Bhumi can mean:* Bhūmi, Hindu goddess of the earth**also, earth as a classical element in Hindu tradition* Bhumi , the ten stages a Bodhisattva advances through in the path to become a Buddha...
, go around the four mada streets around the temple. This culminates in the celebration of the "float festival" - Theppotsavam - in the 'Ashwatha Pushkaram'. The Lord and his two consorts, accompanied by their retinue, then go for a boat ride in the illuminated temple cistern. .
During the Brahmotsavam, the vehicle
Vahana
Vāhana denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular deva is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vāhana is often called the deity's mount. Upon the partnership between the deva and his vāhana is woven much iconography and mythology...
festival attracts people from all around the neighbourhood. During Masi Maham (the full moon during February–March), Vishnu and his consort visit the neighbouring hamlets and towns where they give darśana to devotees.
The 'Navarathri' festival involves the goddess Hemambujavalli being decorated with silk sarees and flower garlands. She is carried in a palanquin festooned with fragrant flowers on the last Friday of the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai.
Prasadam
As Varaha, Vishnu likes to eat gOrai kizhangu. Therefore, a sweet dish (laddu) made from gOrai kizhangu is presented as prasadPrasad
Prasād is a mental condition of generosity, as well as a material substance that is first offered to a deity and then consumed...
am at the temple.