In Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, Veeraraghava Swamy Temple is a shrine to Veeraraghava Perumal (Vishnu) in recumbent Bhujanga Sayanam posture, with consort Kanakavalli Thayar. It is also known as Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Vaidhya Veeraraghava Swamy Temple, Thiruevvul.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints. It is especially known for its healing tradition associated with Vaidhya Veeraraghava Perumal. The temple has three inscriptions from the Chola period, including records from Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1122 CE), and further inscriptions from 1542 CE attributed to the Thanjavur Nayaks.
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 | 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
Sources vary slightly on exact hours; some list 6 AM to 9 PM as general visiting time. Confirm with temple before visiting.
Poojas and daily rituals
Four daily rituals: Kalasanthi (8:00 AM), Uchikalam (12:00 PM), Sayarakshai (6:00 PM), Ardha Jamam (8:30 PM), each including alangaram, neivethanam and deepa aradanai
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Chittirai month (March-April) | Ten-day festival with processions and chariot and float festivals |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style with a five-tiered rajagopuram, granite walls, the Vijayakoti Vimanam over the sanctum, and the ornate black-stone Vellikilamai mandapam
History
The temple has three inscriptions from the Chola period, including records from Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1122 CE), and further inscriptions from 1542 CE attributed to the Thanjavur Nayaks. It is praised in the hymns of Thirumangai Alvar and Thirumazhisai Alvar. The deity is popularly called Vaidhya Veeraraghava Perumal, the physician lord, and devotees traditionally offer metal sheets engraved with images of afflicted body parts seeking healing.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Thiruvallur is a district headquarters town about 40 km from Chennai, well connected by train (Thiruvallur railway station on the Chennai suburban network) and road.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: High. Confidence level as originally recorded for this entry; no further explanatory note was written at the time