Description
ChettipunniyamDevanatharHayagreevar Vishnu Temple is situated at a distance of 30 Km from Chennai in a place called Chettipunyam. The main deity of this Temple is Lord Vishnu, and is called as Sri VaradharajaPerumal here. Devi HemambujaNayaki also has a separate shrine in this temple. The lord who is also called as Hayagriva is sitting alone in this temple without his consort in pose of penance.The God here is said to be the provider of good knowledge and education. Students come here in thousands to offer their prayers during their examination and their educational tools and books at the feet of the lord before appearing for the examinations.
History
The temple was originally built for Lord Varadharaja. But in the year 1848, to protect the deities from an invasion, Murthies of Lord hayagreeva and Devanath were brought to this temple from another temple called Thiruvendhipuram. Here VadanthaDesikar used to recite the Garuda Mandhiram. He wrote the entire version of sthothirams praising the lord as taught by Lord Garuda. This book consists of 32 slogams or sthothirams. The number 32 symbolises the total classification of entire education known as Brahma Vidyas. It is believed that the verses contain the entire essence of four Vedas.
Facts/Mythology
Hayagreev is one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu. In ancient days, two demons called Kaitapa and Madhu took away the Vedas and hidden them. The light of knowledge started declining in the universe, and all devas went and prayed Lord Vishnu, to get the Vedas back. At that time Lord Vishnu took the Hayagreva Avatar to destroy the demons and retrieve the Vedas and so he did. After retrieving the Vedas, Lord Vishnu called Lord Brahma and Goddess Sarasvathy and gave the Vedas which still remains in their safe hands. Hence Lord Vishnu in the form of Hayagreeva is considered as the provider of education and knowledge
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
Paurnami or the full moon day that falls in the month of August is celebrated in this temple as a grand festival. This day is said to be the day of the Avatar and the celebrations are at the peak during the day. Thousands of devotees throng the temple during the auspicious occasion to get the blessings of the god. Regular pujas starting from Vaigarai Puja till the end of the day are performed to the lord daily. Devotees lit lamps with ghee and offer their prayers here. Punniyatheertha and other prasadams are available inside the temple and are offered by the temple administration.Nanarathri is also a festival that is celebrated for 9 days in this temple. Navarathri is meant for the Goddess and special arrangements with miniature portrayals of gods and goddesses are made and placed in decorated pandals and they are called Kolus and it is really attractive. The ninth day of the navarathrithiruvizha is celebrated with splendour. The tenth day of the festival is considered as an auspicious day for beginning educational process for children and after worshipping the Lord Hayagreeva on the day people start the education for their children.
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