Srimushnam

Srimushnam
ஸ்ரீமுஷ்ணம்
city
Srimushnam

Location in Tamil Nadu, India

Coordinates: 11°24′N 79°25′E / 11.4°N 79.42°E / 11.4; 79.42Coordinates: 11°24′N 79°25′E / 11.4°N 79.42°E / 11.4; 79.42
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Cuddalore
Elevation 39 m (128 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 12,000
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration TN-91( TN-31 till Jun17,2015)

Srimushnam is a panchayat town of the Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu located about 24 miles (39 km) west of Chidambaram and 12 miles (19 km) south east of Vridhachalam. Srimushnam is sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists and is one of the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras of Vaishnavas. The place is known for the Bhu Varaha Swamy temple.

The town has an average elevation of 39 metres (128 ft).

Thennacharya(Thenkalai) Sampradhaya Shetram

Srimushnam's presiding deity is 'Lord Bhuvaraha', which gives the town its alternative name, 'Varaha Kshetram'. Lord Bhuvaraha's consort is Ambujavalli Thayar while the temple icon is formed naturally from a saligarama (black smooth round stone). The utsavamurthy does not resemble a wild boar in accordance with the desires of his celestial consort and is called 'Yagna Varahan'. This is the only place where all deities are Varaha Murtis.

Three forms of Vishnu and The Great Saint Manavala Mamunigal

Tradition states that Lord Vishnu resides in Srimushnam in three forms: the 'Ashwatha tree', 'Nithya Pushkarani' and 'Bhoovaraha Swamy'. The temple cistern, the 'Nithya Pushkarani', contains water known for its medicinal value as a panacea. The towering 'Ashwatha tree', stands near the sacred cistern and is believed to have the beneficial effect of blessing sterile women with progeny. Meditation and chanting of the 'Gayathri Mantra' under the tree after bathing in the holy cistern are said to vouchsafe a place in the heavens.

Also chanting "Sri Varaha Kavacham" under the Aswatha tree on Sunday gives benefit. One who chants Varaha kavacha 100 times near Nitya Pushkarini is believed to get back lost things, Raja Yoga, Free from Gruha Peeda. One who is affected by Rahu Dasha / Rahu Bhudhi can chant this Sri Varaha Kavacha Sloka and they will be free from effects of Rahu Dasha Bhudhi

The towering 'Ashwatha tree', houses a famous 850 years old powerful Ashwatha Narayanaswamy Temple with Lord Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy as its primary deity. This temple is very well known for its beneficial effects of blessing unmarried persons with happening of marriages, also sterile women with progeny, and removal of malefic effects of Rahu and Kethu Dhosas.

History

The temple is extremely ancient and has suffered the vicissitudes of nature over time. According to its inscriptions, the temple rose to prominence in the 16th century. Rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1646) took special interest in its renovation and constructed mandabams along with shrines. They also systematised the daily Pujas (rituals) and designed important vahanas such as the thiru ther (temple vehicle).

Festivals

The Tamil New Year heralds the upcoming festivals in the Srimushnam temple. During the month of April–May Chitrai Utsavam is celebrated. Varaha, avatar of Vishu, along with his consorts Shreedevi and Bhūmidevi, go around the four mada streets around the temple. This culminates in the celebration of the "float festival" - Theppotsavam - in the 'Nithya Pushkarini'. The Lord and his two consorts, accompanied by their retinue, then go for a boat ride in the illuminated temple cistern. .

During the Brahmotsavam, the vehicle festival attracts people from all around the neighbourhood. During Masi Maham (the full moon during February–March), Vishnu and his consort visit the neighbouring hamlets and towns where they give darśana to devotees.

The 'Navarathri' festival involves the goddess Ambujavalli being decorated with silk sarees and flower garlands. She is carried in a palanquin festooned with fragrant flowers on the last Friday of the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai.


Prasadam

As Varaha, Vishnu likes to eat korai kizhangu. Therefore, a sweet dish (laddu) made from korai kizhangu is presented as prasadam at the temple.

Sri Nitheesswara Temple

Along with shree Bhuvaraga temple there is also an old shiva temple called Shri Nitheeswara temple. It is located right behind the Bhuvaraga temple.

Location and Connectivity

The town is in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Though the Bhuvaragaswamy temple is more popular it seems the town has limited connectivity. The town has bus connectivity from Chidambaram, which is 40 km away. it is also possible to reach here from Jayamkondam. Even with the limited connectivity the town still attracts significant number of tourists especially during weekends. If the connectivity problem is resolved the town has the potential to become a famous pilgrims attraction.

Local economy

Majority of the population here indulged in farming. Apart from agriculture there are significant number weavers also here. There are lots of grocery shops, pawn shops, utensils shops. Utensils shops here are famous for marriage ceremony purchases.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census,[1] Srimushnam had a population of 12,000 of which 50 per cent were male and 50 per cent female. Srimushnam has an average literacy rate of 61 per cent, higher than the national average of 59.5 per cent. Male literacy is 70 per cent, and that for females 51 per cent. In Srimushnam, 13 per cent of the population is under six years of age.

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.

NEAR VILLAGES; SriAdhivarahanallur,Nagarappadi,Mathagalir mannikkam,gunamangalam,esanur,kallipadi,Aanandakudi, etc....

Mathagalir manikkam is a beautiful village & also near villages

S B G College of Education, Thenpathy Colony Road Srimushnam-608703

S B G Teacher Training Institute, Thenpathy Colony Road, Srimushnam-608703

Website:http://www.sbgcollege.in

Sri Varaha Kavacham book by Lifco Publishers Pvt Ltd , Chennai - 35

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