Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Thiruputkuzhi

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located at Thiruputkuzhi near Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. This temple is glorified in the tamil canonical work by saint Azhwars and hence considered as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The presiding deity is worshiped as Vijayaraghava Perumal and his consort is Maragathavalli Thayar.

As per legend, Lord Rama renounced his wealth and left to the forest as per his father’s order. While in the forest, Sita requested Rama to catch a golden deer that she had spotted. When Rama and Lakshmana had gone in search of the deer, Ravana abducted Sita and took her to Lanka. On his way to Lanka, Jatayu the vulture fought with Ravana to save Sita. But Ravana cut the wings of Jatayu, resulting in the latter falling down to the earth. When Rama and Lakshmana went around the forest in search of Sita, they found Jatayu mortally wounded. Jatayu then died after exchanging his last few words with Rama about what had happened. Lord Rama then performed the last rites for Jatayu. As suggested by Jatayu, Lord Vishnu appeared while performing the final funeral of Jatayu.

Hence even now, the main deity of Vijayaraghavaperumal is seen with Jatayu on his thigh such that the latter receives due respect as that of Perumal, while performing procession, poojas and ablutions on the Lord.

Devotees yearning for a child, visit the temple and offer their prayers to Mother Maragathavalli Thayar. Women take a dip in Jatayu theertam and have the soaked pulse that is usually offered to mother Goddess being tied in their saree when going to sleep. If the pulse is found to have germinated when they wake up in the morning, the woman is said to have been blessed by the Goddess with a child boon.

Devotees visit the temple to perform tarpana to their ancestors on new moon day, which benefits them when done at this place. Performing tarpana to the ancestors, at this temple, is considered beneficial and auspicious since this is the place where Lord Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu.

Tonsuring and ear piercing ceremonies are also performed at this temple.

Temple Timings:

Regular days:

07:00 AM to 12:00 PM

04:00 AM to 07:00 PM

New moon day:

07:00 AM to 01:00 PM

04:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Temple Address:

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Thiruppukuzhi, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu 631551

Temple Contact Details:

Phone: 044 27222049, 2724 6501

How to reach:

By Air:

The nearest airport to this temple town is that of Chennai at a distance of 75 km.

By Rail:

The nearest raillway station to the temple is Kanchipuram railway station at a distance of 13 km.

By Road:

Adequate buses are available from Kanchipuram to the temple town. The nearest stop to the temple is Balureddy Chatram.