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{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Bhu Varaha Swamy Perumal Temple
| image = Srimushnam (4).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|11|24|7|N|79|24|19|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| native_name = Bhu Varaha Swamy Kovil
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Cuddalore District|Cuddalore]]
| location = [[Srimushnam]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = {{Plainlist|
* Bhu Varaha Swamy ([[Varaha]])
* Ambujavalli Thayar ([[Lakshmi]])
}}
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank =
| tower =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[South Indian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator = Vijayanagara Kings 
| website =
}}{{Short description|Hindu temple in Cuddalore}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}

The '''Bhu Varaha Swamy temple''' is a [[Hindu]] temple, located at [[Srimushnam]], in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|South Indian style]] of architecture, the temple is dedicated to [[Varaha]] (Bhu Varaha Swamy), the boar-[[avatar]] of the god [[Vishnu]] and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as Ambujavalli Thayar. It is Classified one among the '''108 [[Abhimana Kshethram]]''' of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] tradition. One of the greatest [[Hindu]] scholars of [[Vaishnava]] [[Tattvavada]] ([[Dvaita]]) philosophy, [[Madhvacharya]], have come and resided in this temple many times.

The temple was built by the [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavur Nayak]] king [[Achuthappa Nayak]], a vassal of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]]. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and the temple tanks. There is a seven-tiered ''[[gopuram|rajagopuram]]'', the temple's gateway tower. This is one of important temples of [[Madhva Sampradaya|Madhva]] section. Jagadguru [[Madhvacharya]] visited this temple many times. He took even Chaturmasya deeksha here during this time he created ''Dhanda Teertha'' with his stick to quelch the thirst of a pregnant woman. Other prominent saints of [[Madhva Sampradaya]] such as [[Vyasatirtha]], [[Vadiraja Tirtha]], [[Raghuttama Tirtha]], [[Raghavendra Tirtha]] etc., have visited and stayed here for long time.

Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Chariot festival, celebrated during the [[Tamil Calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Vaikasi'' (April–May), being the most prominent. The festival also symbolises [[Hindu-Muslim unity]] in the region - the flag of the chariot is provided by Muslims; they take offerings from the temple and present to Allah in the mosques. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]. The temple is one of the few temples where [[Muslim]]s are allowed to worship till the Ardha Mandapam.

==Legend==
The temple is associated with [[Varaha]], the boar [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. The [[asura]] king [[Hiranyaksha]] stole the earth and took it to his realm of the [[Patala|netherworld]]. The earth-goddess [[Bhudevi]] prayed to Vishnu to rescue her. Pleased, Vishnu appeared here in the form of Varaha, a boar, killed the asura. The sweat of Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy dropped here, creating the temple tank (Nithya Pushkarani). In his dying wish, the asura king asked Vishnu to turn towards his direction; Vishnu obliged. The central icon faces towards the asura in the south, while his human body faces the devotees in the West. The festival icon, Yagya Varahaswamy, as requested by Bhudevi displays the regular features of Vishnu with his [[Panchajanya|conch]] and [[Sudarshana Chakra|chakra]] in his hands.<ref name=hindu/> As per another legend, a local Nawab on the county was ailing with Carbuncle and was given up by all the doctors. He is believed to have prayed Bhuvaraha and was cured off all his ailments. He made generous contributions to the temple and was later named Bhura Sahib. Each year the deity is taken to the village when his descendants make offerings to the deity.<ref name=Rao>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu|last=Rao|first=A.V.Shankaranarayana|publisher=Vasan Publications|isbn=978-81-8468-112-3|year=2012|pages=23–25}}</ref>

A unique tradition of the temple involves Hazrath Syed Sha Rahmathulla Shuttari, a revered [[Sufi]] saint who settled in Killai. He was granted 400 acres of land by Nawab Mohammad Ali Walajah. The [[Dargah]] trustee later sought assistance from a local tahsildar, Uppu Venkatarao, to demarcate the land, and in gratitude, 26 acres were permanently leased to the Sri Bhoo Varaha Swamy Temple Trust. This gesture of goodwill laid the foundation for a tradition of mutual respect. During the Masi Maham festival, the temple procession halts at the Dargah, where both communities exchange offerings—[[Tulsi]] leaves and a silk shawl from the temple, and rice, dry fruits, and prayers from the Dargah. This longstanding practice is a testament to the enduring harmony between Hindus and Muslims in the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Srimushnam temple's tradition of harmony revived |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/srimushnam-temples-tradition-of-harmony-revived/article17468635.ece |publisher=The Hindu |date=March 3, 2022 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303104753/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/srimushnam-temples-tradition-of-harmony-revived/article17468635.ece |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Srimushnam (12).jpg|250px|thumb|Temple tank|left]]

The existence of Bhuvaraha Swamy temple by medieval Cholas and other existing constructions and the rajagopura was done by the Vijayanagara Empire.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
The temple was expanded by Thanjavur Nayak king [[Achuthappa Nayak]] (1560–1614 CE). The life size image of the king and his brothers are found in the sixteen pillared hall of the temple.<ref name=M7>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2007]], p. 7</ref> An epigraph dated 1068 in the nearby Shiva temples indicates gifts by [[Virarajendra Chola]] (1063–1070 CE) to the Varaha shrine.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} Another inscription dated at 1100 by [[Kulothunga Chola I]] (1070–1120 CE) indicates a gift of a village to the temple, where the presiding deity is referred as Varaha Alvar.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} The later inscriptions are from [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara kings]] of the 14th century like [[Virupaksha Raya II]] (1465–1485 CE) dated 1471 CE, [[Sriranga I]] (1572–1586 CE), [[Venkata II]] (1586–1614 CE) indicating various gifts to the temple. The most notable contributions of the temple were from Achuthappa Nayak who built the sixteen pillared Purushasuktha Mandapa along with other smaller shrines of the temple.<ref name=M10>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2007]], p. 10</ref> The Zamindars of Udayarpalayam have contributed to the temple by offering costly jewels and commissioned additional structures, notably Udayavar Mandapam.<ref name=Rao/>

==Architecture==
[[File:Srimushnam (14).jpg|250px|thumb|Scroll work in the temple]]
There are two [[gopuram]]s (temple-towers at the entrance) in the temple and two precincts enclosed within large granite walls; the western tower is seven-tiered and is the commonly used entrance. The five-tiered one on the eastern side is opened only during [[Vaikunta Ekadasi|Vaikuntha Ekadashi]]. There is a small image of Srinavasa Perumal (Vishnu) on the upper portion of the inner side of the tower. Outside the temple, there is an {{convert|80|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall monolith pillar with the image of [[Garuda]] on its top facing the presiding deity of the temple. The [[Sthala Vriksha|sthala vriksha]] of the temple is an [[Ashvattha|ashvatha]] tree.<ref name=M17>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2008]], pp. 7-10</ref>

The central shrine houses the presiding deity Varaha (Bhu Varahaswamy). The {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=on}}-[[Saligrama|shaligrama]] stone image depicts the boar-faced Varaha standing in a victorious posture with his hands on his waist; the human body faces West, while the head is turned towards the South. The ''[[utsavar]]'' (festival icon), Patharaavi, is made of [[panchaloha]] (a five-metal alloy) and is accompanied by two consorts as in most [[Vaishnava]] temples. The festival icon is housed in the Artha Mandapa, the hall before the sanctum.<ref name=M17/> The temple has two [[dvarapala]] (guarding deities) on both sides of the entrance of the central shrine made of [[panchaloha]], one of which is commissioned during the modern times. The older one on the left side was confiscated during the Mysore war and was having a wooden replica till it was replaced in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dwarabalaka idol sent to Srimushnam temple|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/28/stories/2004082805000300.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141017174228/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/28/stories/2004082805000300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2014|location=Thanjavur|date=28 August 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=17 October 2014}}</ref>

The sixteen pillared hall is called Purushasuktha Mandapa and it is the place where the hymns of ''[[Purusha sukta]]'' are recited each day during sacred ablution of the presiding deity. The ''[[vimana]]'' over the sanctum is called Pavana Vimana and is surmounted by a gold-plated [[kalasha]]. The 16 columned pavilion is considered a masterpiece of Nayak art built by Achutappa Nayak.<ref name=M17/> The columns are sculpted with images of musicians, dancers and miniature idols. The ceiling has lotus medallion sculptures and scroll work. The central shrine is topped by a conical roof. The decorated outer walls are atypical of [[Chola Art]].<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 2013]]</ref> There is a shrine of [[Garuda]] and [[Nammazhwar|Nammalvar]] facing the sanctum away from the sixteen pillared hall. There is a separate shrine for Ambujavalli Thayar, the consort of Bhu Varaha Swamy in the second precinct which also houses the shrines of [[Andal]] and [[Ramanuja]]. Udayarpalaya Mandapam, as indicated by its name was built during the period of zamindars and it houses the Kannadi Arai (room of glasses). There are other shrines for [[Venugopalaswamy|Venugopala]], [[Vishwaksena|Vishvaksena]], [[Vedanta Desika]], [[Tirumangai Alvar|Thirumangai Alvar]], [[Manavala Mamunigal]], Kulanthai Amman and Tirukachi Nambi. There is a garden on the northern side of the temple that houses a shrine of [[Rama]]. In this temple there is a statue of [[Hanuman]] lifting Rama and [[Lakshmana]] on his shoulders.<ref name=M7/>
The temple is administered by the [[Hindu]] Religious and Charitable Endowments department of [[Tamil Nadu]] government. The religious head, the Pedda Jeeyar of [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]] is the permanent trustee of the temple.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

The temple bears the inscriptions in [[Telugu Language|Telugu]], one of which says the grants made by Sri Ranga Raya Deva of Vijayanagara.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Presidency of Madras|year = 1882|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QswOAAAAQAAJ&dq=Achuthappa+Naik&pg=PA277|accessdate=5 November 2019}}</ref>

==Festivals and religious practices==
[[File:Srimushnam (7).jpg|250px|thumb|Temple well and major shrines|left]]
The rituals in the temple are followed as per ''[[Pancharatra|Pancharatara agama]]s''. The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] community, from the [[Brahmin]] class. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: ''Ushathkalam'' at 7 a.m., ''Kalasanthi'' at 8:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 p.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m., ''Irandamkalam'' at 7:00 p.m. and ''Ardha Jamam'' at 8:30 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy Perumal and Sri Ambujavalli Thayar. During the last step of worship, ''[[nagaswaram|nadasvaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the ''[[Vedas]]'' (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the [[Iconography of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu#Dvajasthamba and Pali Peedam|temple mast]]. There are weekly, monthly, and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Bhuvaragaswami temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=788|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=31 May 2014|year=2014}}</ref>

The temple is under the control of [[Madhva Brahmins]] and [[Iyengars]]. Madhva Brahmins and Sri Vaishnavas do Vedaparaya during pooja. The Madhvas specifically recite [[Gajendra Moksha]] and Srimushnam Puranam every day.

Some of the festivals of the temple has been practiced during the Nayak times as indicated by the inscriptions on the walls of the first precinct. The inscriptions indicate patronage for the festivals to be conducted during the presence of Sun in 12 zodiac signs during various months of the year. The usage of processional vehicles during this occasion is also prescribed.<ref>[[#Ayyar|Ayyar 1982]], p. 23</ref> The temple follows Pancharatra mode of worship. There are two Brahmotsavams celebrated in the temple, one each during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Masi'' and other during the month of ''Chittirai'' (April–May). During the first, the festival deity of Bhu Varaha Swamy is taken for seven days around the villages of Srimushnam.<ref>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2008]], p. 11</ref> The chariot festival is a symbol of Hindu–Muslim unity in the region, with the flag of the temple chariot offered by the local Muslims. They also accept the offerings from the festival deity and present it to [[Allah]] in the mosques. The Muslim devotees thank Allah to have brought Bhu Varaha Swamy to their place.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news|title=Symbolising religious unity|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/symbolising-religious-unity/article3404308.ece|work=The Hindu|last=S.|first=Prabhu|date=10 May 2012|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> The other festivals are Sri Jayanti Utsavam during ''Aavani'', [[Navaratri]], [[Vijayadashami]], [[Deepavali]] and [[Makara Sankranti]].<ref name=M7/> The temple is one of the few temples where [[Muslim]]s are allowed to worship till the Ardha Mandapam.<ref name=Rao/>

==Religious importance==
[[File:Srimushnam (10).jpg|250px|thumb|Image of Paramapada Vasal]]
The temple is considered one of the eight ''Sywayambu Kshetras'' of Vishnu where presiding deity is believed to have manifested on its own. Seven other temples in the line are [[Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple]], [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]], and [[Vanamamalai Perumal Temple]] in [[South India]] and [[Muktinath|Saligrama]], [[Naimisaranya]], [[Pushkar]] and [[Badrinath Temple]] in [[North India]].<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=42}}</ref> Divine ablution is performed daily for the presiding deity, unlike other Vishnu temples where it is performed only occasionally. In Tirumala, devotees are supposed to visit the Bhu Varaha temple before they worship Lord Venkateshvara but in Srimushnam devotees visit the Srinivas temple in the western entrance before visiting Bhu Varaha Swamy. The temple is frequented by childless couple seeking children and unmarried people seeking marriage. The local belief is that the worship done to Saptha Kannigaigal in the temple leads to right match.<ref name=hindu/> The temple is counted as ''Abhibana Stalas'', the temples that are closer to the heart of Vishnu.
==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian shrines: illustrated |year=1982|publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=8120601513|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&dq=srimushnam&pg=PA423|ref=Ayyar}}
* {{cite book|title=Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&dq=srimushnam&pg=PT374|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|year=2013|isbn=9788174369031|last=Michell|first=George|ref=Michell}}
* {{cite book|title=Vishnu Temples of South India Volume 1 (Tamil Nadu)|first=Chithra|publisher=Chithra Madhavan|last=Madhavan|isbn=978-81-908445-0-5|year=2007|ref=Madhavan}}
{{refend}}

{{commons category|Bhu Varaha Swamy temple}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Varaha temples]]

Bhu Varaha Swamy temple - Revision history

SilasCorrie at 21:59, 22 December 2025