Lord Sundararaja Perumal - The Most Handsome Deity In Shayanam!


In this post, we will read about one of the 108 Divya Desham temples - Sundararaja Perumal temple, also referred to as Vadivalagiya Nanbi Perumal temple. This temple is located in Tiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Maha Vishnu as Lord Sundararajan and His consort Devi Lakshmi as Devi Sundaravalli. This temple is believed to have been constructed in the late 8th century. 



There are various legends associated with the temple. 

Once Rishi Sutabha was in deep penance and did not notice Rishi Durvasa waiting for him. This angered the Rishi Durvasa and he cursed Rishi Sutabha to turn into a frog. The later requested him to reverse his curse but Rishi Durvasa informed him that the curse was as per the grand plan of the Universe and that Rishi Sutabha would be granted deliverance by none other than Maha Vishnu. Thus, Rishi Sutabha continued his penance as a frog in a pond named as Mendaka Theertham and finally got liberation when Maha Vishnu granted him His divine vision as Lord Sundararajan. The temple still has this theertham.

Another legend goes like this - On having created the world, Lord Brahma was feeling mighty proud of Himself and thought of Himself as the most handsome person in the entire creation. To help Lord Brahma get rid of His ego and to remind Him of His true divine nature, Maha Vishnu made Lord Brahma take birth as an earthly mortal and appeared before Him as the extremely beautiful and handsome Lord Sundararaja Perumal, thereby teaching an important lesson to Lord Brahma that looks are after all only temporary, and that, it is the goodness of the heart that actually matters.

The deity of Sundaraja Perumal is in a reclining posture here (Shayanam). It is said that once there erupted an argument between Lord Brahma and Rishi Valmiki, as to which place has the most beautiful deity of Maha Vishnu in shayana - roopam. Lord Sundaraja Perumal appeared before them and proclaimed that His form was the most beautiful in the temple called Anbil (the place where the temple is situated). Since Lord Brahma and Rishi Valmiki were debating just out of love (Anbu in Tamil), the place came to be called as Anbil. 

The place where this temple is situated is believed to be a Triveni Sangamam where the three rivers Kaveri, Savithri and Phalguni converge. Hence this place is considered as pious as Gaya and is also referred to as Dakshina Gaya where last rites and rituals for pitrs can be done. 

There are shrines for all the 12 Alvars, Lord Lakshmi-Narasimha as well as Lord Hanuman. This is one of those rare temples where Devi Andal can be seen in a seated posture. Single ladies wishing to get married offer their prayers to Devi Andal and their prayers are believed to be answered soon.

Om Sundararajaya Namaha! 

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