Tiruvellarai - Pundarikaksa Temple

Recorded as Swethagiri in the legends, this holy ancient kshetra has a very long legend dating back to Sibi Chakravarthi's time. Additionally, it is the birth place of the famous Vaishnava bhakta Vuyyakondar and so held in high esteem. The Lord Pundarikakshan revealed his Varaharupa to Sibi Chakravarthi at his pious supplication and later assuming His Pundarikaksha form blessed him to his heart's content. Being an ancient temple built on the Dravidian architectural model with Vimalakruthi Vimana adorning garbhagriha, it contains many mini-shrines installed with devoutly worshippable deities, like Pankajavalli Natchiar, Senbagavalli Tayar in addition to Alwars. They gave darsan to the deserving pious bhaktas and fulfilled their desires. And are known for their extreme compassion. Hence infinite popularity along with the Moolavar. The icons being sculptured artistically draw and detain the adorers filling their souls with bliss. It has manv thirthas in and around the sanctum, like Kusa thirtha, Chakra thirtha, Pushkala thirtha, Padma thirtha, Varaha thirtha, Gandha pushkarini, Divya pushkarini, Ksheera pushkarini and each has a hoary legend that fascinates and impels the visitors for sacred purificatory bath. Perialwar and Tu-umangai Alwar availed the darsan of the Lord and poured out their devotion through immortal sweet pasurams. Daily worship is offered and the annual festivals are celebrated with pomp and pageantry. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams.

It lies 10 km off Karambanur near Sri Rangam, accessible by four wheelers.

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