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Srimushnam
-- Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy Temple
Highly renowned as one of the eight self-manifested Swayamvyakta
Vaishnava kshetras, this temple established for itself a meritorious place on
account of excellent additions made by Nayak kings in the seventeenth
century. The Purusha Sukta mandapam adorning the fore exhibits superb
artistry of the sculptors and the patrons refined taste. It is a gem of
architecture winning encomiums both by art critics and lay men. It is
shaped as temple car-Ratham and is richly adorned with carved figures of
warriors and elephant. Beautiful the size portraits of Nayak kings and their family members are its plus points, attracting one
and all. The image of the archamurti is an excellent specimen of commendable craftsmanship and wrings veneration at first
sight itself. The niches and mini-mandaps are enshrining parivaradevathas of all denominations. The essential parts with
their vastness and imposing stature are heightening the glory of this kshetra. The benign nature of the moolavar manifested
in raining boons on the adorers has acquired such reputation that it spread to that extent of converting many non-Hindus into
Vaishnavas who not only realised the efficacy of prayers. but are preferring to naming their children after the presiding deity.
It is observed that many Muslims who had crossed the hurdles on ardent payers are naming their progeny after the deity. So
we can come across Varaha Saheb. in this region. Obeisance to the Lord for converting alien faith into indigenous religion
by boundless compassion on the saranagathas, regardless of castes, creeds, cults, and customs.
During the month of Masi, the Utsavar with the special name of Yagnavarahapperumal goes in procession to Killaiambal6 village lying on
the sea shore for sea bath. It is a grand event and an important annual
occurrence on the temple calender much awaited by the devout Bhaktas.
Its uniqueness lies in the fact of Muslims participating in a lusty manner
reflecting their deep faith in the Lord. More than Hindus, Muslims join the
processionists and make it colourful event with many devotional prayer
services calling forth piety and soulful commitment. As temples for
Varahavatar are very few in number, regular streams of devotees fail not
visit it sooner than mentioning of its name.
It is located in Srimushnam, accessible by buses from Chidambaram, one of the premier temple towns of Tamil Nadu.
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