Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Thiruputkuzhi stands in Thiruputkuzhi, Tamil Nadu, is a shrine to Vijayaraghava Perumal (Vishnu as Rama), with consort Maragathavalli Thayar (Lakshmi). It is also known as Thiruputkuzhi Perumal Kovil, Jatayu Kshetram.
Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints, and is praised in verses by Thirumangai Alvar. It is also historically significant as an early center of learning connected to the Sri Vaishnava philosopher Ramanuja. The temple is associated with the Ramayana episode of Jatayu, the divine eagle who was mortally wounded by Ravana while trying to rescue Sita and who, upon meeting Rama, recounted the abduction before dying; Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu.
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Six daily poojas are conducted, including Ushathkalam, Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Irandamkalam and Ardha Jamam.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals with alangaram (decoration), neivedyam (food offering) and deepa aradhanai; Srisukta Homam performed on full moon days with 108 lotus leaves
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Tamil month of Masi (February-March) | Major annual festival of the temple |
| Theppotsavam | Tamil month of Thai (January-February) | Float festival held on the temple tank |
| Pavitrotsavam | Tamil month of Avani | Ritual purification festival |
| Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) | Observed as per general Vaishnavite temple tradition |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style temple with a five-tiered rajagopuram, all shrines enclosed within a granite prakaram wall, and a temple tank to the west; worship follows the Pancharatra Agama tradition
History
The temple is associated with the Ramayana episode of Jatayu, the divine eagle who was mortally wounded by Ravana while trying to rescue Sita and who, upon meeting Rama, recounted the abduction before dying; Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu here, giving the village its name (from Tamil 'pul', bird, and 'kuzhi', pit). The philosopher and Sri Vaishnava teacher Ramanuja is said to have received his early education at this temple under Yadava Prakasa, who was born in the village.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Thiruputkuzhi is located near Walajabad, about 7 miles (roughly 12 km) west of Kanchipuram on the Chennai-Vellore highway, near Baluchetti Chattiram. Kanchipuram is the nearest major town with rail and bus connections; Chennai is the nearest airport.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Timings and minor festival details sourced mainly from Wikipedia and temple-directory sites, not independently cross-checked with an official HRandCE listing