Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – The Temple

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – The Temple

The temple is located on the foothills of Outshadagiri, a small hill, which houses the temple of Hayagriva. The river Kedilam, located on the other side of the temple flows from south to north and is locally called Uttara Vahini. The temple built in Dravidian Architecture, is the only Vishnu temple built on the banks of the river, while there are a few prominent Shiva temples.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The temples face east, but the Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, is located on the western entrance and has five tiers and raises to a height of 60 ft (18 m). The Temple has 2 prakarams. The image of the presiding deity, Devanathaswamy in standing posture facing east, is housed in the central shrine.

The festival images of Vishnu, called by different names like Moovaraghia Oruvan, a manifestation of the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), Achutha, Dvistantha, Devanatha, Vibhuthanatha and Dasyatha, is housed in the sanctum. Urchavar is seen here with Prayoga Chakra on his right hand, which is a rare sight. 

The sanctum also houses the image the consort, Senkamalavalli Thayar (also called Hemabhujavalli, Vaikunta Nayagi and Amrutavarshini) in sitting posture. The vimana above the presiding deity is of Suddha Satwa philosophy based. The Suddhasatva Vimaanam above the sanctum has images of Vishnu facing east, Dakshinamurthy (Shiva) facing south, Narasimha facing west and Brahma facing north.

There are shrines for Ganesha, Rama, Rajagopala, Pallikonda Perumal, Andal, Adhikesava Perumal, Azhwars, Vedanta Desikar, Hanuman and Garuda in the Temple premises. Lord Narasimha in this temple has Mother Mahalakshmi on his right lap against the tradition on the left lap. The images of Garuda and Hanuman are depicted in unique postures of Anajalihasta, which is different compared to all other temples.

There is a separate Shrine for Manavala Mamunigal in found in the Mada Street. There is 300 acres of Land which is given by some helpful person who gave it for the development of the temple. Stone inscriptions in the temple refer to the deity as 'Ninraruliya Mahavishnu' and 'Ezhisai Nada Peruman'. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.

Hayagriva Temple:

Though the presiding deity is Devanathaswamy, the temple is known for Hayagriva, the horse faced avatar of Vishnu. The temple is the only historical temple in South India to have a shrine of Hayagriva. Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva temple is here, the first ever temple raised for the Lord. The temple on top of the adjoining Outshadagiri hill enshrining Hayagriva - the embodiment of knowledge and learning - is of very great significance. The idol of Yoga Hayagriva is a short idol. He is in yoga Nidra, hence not accompanied by Mahalakshmi.

This temple is also known for its close association with Desikacharyar, who spent close to forty years in this town. It is believed that Vedanta Desikacharyar meditated up on Garuda on the Outshadagiri and obtained the image from Hayagriva from him. This shrine has also been visited by Manavaala Mamuni. Many people reach here to perform Aksharabhyasam (the ceremony conducted for commencing education of a child).

Location | Photos

Theerthams:

Theerthams associated with this Temple are Garuda Nathi, Chandra Theertham and Sesha Theertham (Poo Theertham). Perumal feeling thirsty ordered Garuda to bring him water. As Garuda delayed to return, Adisesha struck the ground with his tail, made a spring and offered water to Lord. This spring is called Sesha Theertham. This is a prayer well where devotees put jaggery, salt and pepper seeking remedy for the illness they suffer. Those facing serpent effects pray here for remedy. In this Divya Desam, milk is not poured into the snake pit. Instead it is poured into the ‘Sesha Theertham’.