Cheranmahadevi – Cheran Mahadevi Chaturvedi Mangalam
Sri Bhakthavatsala Temple
One of the many divine gunas of Sri Maha Vishnu is “Vatsalya”. The word vatsam in Sanskrit refers to a calf and the compassion that the cow shows to her calf is called Vatsalya. The devotees of the Lord have surrendered ourselves at His Lotus Feet and the Lord showers on us, helpless mortals, his total compassion – His Vatsalya on us.
Therefore He is called Bhakthavatsala. In Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam we come across the namaas, Vatsala (471) and Bhakthavatsala(736).
Sri Mahavishnu in his Archa Amsa has taken Abode in thousands of shrines and of these here, He hailed as Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal. One such temple is located in Cheranmahadevi, 16 Km from the Dt.Headquarters Tirunelveli, on Tirunelveli highway.
On both the banks of the river Cauvery flowing through Thanjavur, Tiruchy and Nagapatnam districts of Tamil Nadu, there are hundreds of temples with puranic and historic backgrounds. Many of these temples were visited and sung by Alwars and Nayanmars.
Similarly on both the banks of river Tamraparni, the sacred river that flows through Tirunelveli and Thuthukudi districts we come across more than two hundred ancient temples – most of them were constructed between the 7th and 8th centuries.
Although a good number of temples have been losing their past glory and appearance and getting dilapidated, through the sincere efforts of the local people, daily poojas are performed and renovation works are done.
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Cheranmahadevi
During a period in history, when the Pandya hegemony declined, several parts of southern Tamilnadu ruled by Pandya kings, came under the rule of Venad (Chera) kings and Cheranmahadevi got its name through this influence.
Though a small town there are a good number of temples in Cheranmahadevi which was known as “Cheran Mahadevi Chaturvedi Mangalam” and with the advent of Cholas in the area it was called “Nigarili (matchless) Chola Chaturvedi Mangalam”.
Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple
Pandyas, Cholas and Venad kings have contributed to the construction and expansion of several temples in the area. Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple was a classic example of temple architecture of their times, but caught in the torrent of time, the temple slowly lost its splendour and was neglected.
It was brought to the limelight by the Central Archaeological Department and is now maintained by the Department.
Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple is situated on the southern banks of the Tamraparni river rather than a big one with two prakaras. The outer mathil (compound wall) is incomplete and visitors cannot but wonder at the perfect structure of the wall as well as at the engineering skill of our forefathers in building such a massive wall.
On both sides of the wall measuring about 3 feet in diameter, granite stones of less than one foot thickness are stacked one above the other and the gap is filled with lime mortar debris giving strength and durability.
The temple faces east with Rajagopura. However, a vimana over the Sanctum has been added in recent years. At the entrance, there is a very spacious Garuda Mandapam where a rather big Garuda is sitting with folded hands, opposite the Garbagriha. A sitting Garuda in front of the Sanctum is rare. The granite vigraha of Sri Garuda is a superb work of art.
Following this mandapam we enter the artha mandapam where we see Sri Vishwaksena, Nammalwar and Acharyas.
Inside Sri Bhakthavatsala Temple
In the Garbagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal blesses His devotees in a standing position with his lower right hand in varada mudra. His left hand holds the gatha. Sudarsana and Panchajanya adorns His upper hands. The superbly sculpted vigraha of Sri Bhaktavatsala is a feast to the eyes of the devotees and one can feel that the Lord as Sri Bhaktavatsala is ready to shower His compassion and kindness on us as His children.
On the southern inner prakaram there is an idol of Sri Yoga Narasimha. The utsava moorthi Sri Bhaktavatsalar with Sri and Bhu Devi are also in the Sanctum. The utsava murthis made of panchaloha are fine examples of the ancient art of making such idols.
Around the Garbagriha and artha mandapam, there is a moat-like trench – a typical feature and as we go around, we cannot fail to notice the very intricate workmanship of the outer granite structure with all the paraphernalia. The striking sculpture on the northern side is the gomukha- the water spout for letting out the holy thirumanjana water from the Sanctum.
In its class, it is a striking masterpiece of workmanship of the sculptors of the olden days. The outer end of the spout is a double lotus one below the other, hanging out of the mouth of a lion which again sticks out of the mouth of a bigger lion abutting the wall. The four legs of the smaller lion with ornaments, headgear, mane and sharp teeth – all add to its intricate style and charm.
Tamraparni River
The Tamraparni River flowing close to the temple and the tall trees on the banks, add charm and serenity to the place. This place is one of the very important holy theertha ghattas on both the banks of the river. The name panchangam for almanac comes from five main features (pancha+angam) viz., Thithi, Vaara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana.
Lord Maha Vishnu is the deity for all these five angams and people during making a Sankalpa preceding any religious ceremony – “Thithir Vishnu, thatha Vaara, Nakshatram Vishnur eva cha, Yogascha, karanam chaiva sarvam Sri Vishnu Mayam jagath”.
Mahavyatheepatha Kshetram
Vyatheepatha Yoga is one of the 27 Yogas occurring during a month and it is important for pitrus (ancestors). The day of this yoga in Dhanur (margazhi) month is hailed as Mahavyathee Patha. On this day thousands of people from far and near assemble at the Tamraparni river bank near the temple, take a holy dip and perform tharpanas for the forefathers.
Hence Lord Bhakthavatsala Perumal who presides over this important theertha ghatta is extolled as Sri Maha Vyatheetha Patha perumal and the Theertham as Maha Vyatheepatha Theertham. Chermadevi itself is called Mahavyatheepatha Kshetram.
Other famous temples
There are frequent buses from Tirunelveli to Cheranmahadevi and all buses proceeding to Papanasam go through this place.
Besides this wonderful temple of Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal, there are other famous temples in the town like
- Sri Ramaswami Temple,
- Sri Ammanatha Swami Siva temple,
- Sri Appan Venkatachalapathi temple etc.
People visiting Tirunelveli can have a darshan of these above temples within a few hours.
