Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – The Temple

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – The Temple

There are two arches on the east and south side. Presiding Deity is called as Mahakaleshwarar / Maga Kalanathar. The Shiva lingam in broken form and tied together with a copper string. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambu Murthy. Shivalinga in the temple is split into three parts with three faces. All the three faces are covered by a copper plate and pujas performed. It is said that the three faces represent three Lords, Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva. This form of Lord Shiva is very rare in temples.

The vimana, tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Ekadala design. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai are the niche idols located around the sanctum. Urchavar of this Temple is Chandrasekharar. Mother is called as Mathura Sundara Nayagi / Kuyil Mozhiyammai. Mother Ambica is worshipped as Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki – Ambica with a voice as sweet as that of nightingale. 

She is seated on a Lotus designed peeta facing south with features of Mother Mahalakshmi the Goddess of Wealth. Ambica was watching the penance of Kaduveli Siddhar and was telling Lord the greatness of his penance in her sweet voice, hence, the name Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki. People use to perform abishek to Ambica with honey and consume it seeking her blessing for a sweet voice and mastery of fine arts.

Lord Nataraja graces from a shrine left of that of Ambica. His leg is seen slightly folded which is attributed to his pleasant state of mind. There is a fire circle around Lord Nataraja, Mother Shivakami, which is rare darshan for the devotees. As this shrine is just before that of Ambica, the devotee can have the darshan of presiding Shiva, Nataraja and Ambica simultaneously. 

Behind is the shrine of Lord Muruga with six faces accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Kala Bhairava graces from a separate shrine facing south. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Lord Sundara Ganapathi. Lord Moon-Chandra has his shrine in the prakara facing west, holding a palm leaf praised as Kala Chandra. Devotees worship him with milk rice seeking his blessings to shine in education and arts. 

The significance of the Navagraham in this temple is that all the nine planets are with their respective consorts - Suryan (Usha and Pradusha), Chandran (Keerthika), Angarakan (Sakthi Devi), Budhan (Gana Devi), Guru (Dhara Devi), Sukran (Sirungini Devi), Sani (Jesta Devi), Raghu (Singi Devi) and Kethu (Chitraleka). Sun is on Lotus peeta in sitting form with his legs folded with his spouses Usha and Pradusha on his lap. This is a rare darshan of Sun.

Shrines of Vayu Lingam, Hanuman and Chandikeswarar can also found in the prakaram of the Temple. The inner corridor walls have intricate sculptures and reliefs that beautifully depict the story of Kaduveli Siddhar. Sthala Vriksham is Punnai Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple is Makala Theertham.

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram, Cuddalore

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram, Cuddalore

Devanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Thiruvanthipuram, a village in the outskirts of Cuddalore Town in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Devanathaswamy and his consort Lakshmi as Hemabhujavalli.

The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the Medieval Cholas, with later expansion from Pandyas, Hoysala Empire and Vijayanagara Empire. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower has five tiers and raises to a height of 60 ft (18 m). 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.

This temple is closely associated with Swami Vedanta Desika, a Sri Vaishnava guru and one of the most brilliant stalwarts of Sri Vaishnavism in the post-Ramanuja period. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-temple.html

Inscriptions

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-inscriptions.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m and from 04.30 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.

Festivals & Religious Practices

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-festivals-religious-practices.html

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-literary-mention.html

Prayers

Those unable to fulfil their prayer commitment at Tirupathi can do it here. It is the staunch faith of the devotees that those praying at the feet of Lord Devanatha Perumal are blessed with economic stability, children, health and longevity. Devotees place jaggery, salt and pepper in the well of the temple seeking remedy for their illness of any severity. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu, pray for reversal of bad effects. Devotees offer Tulsi garlands and light ghee lamps and Maa Vilakku little lamp made of a paste of rice flour and ghee. The also tonsure here. They also perform Tirumanjanam, abishekam and offer pure white garments to Lord. They also arrange Nivedhana to Lord and distribute the Prasad to other visitors. Some organize feeding-Annadhana also.

Contact

Devanatha Perumal Temple,

Thiruvanthipuram – 607 401

Cuddalore District

Phone: +91 4142 287 515 / 288 999 / 287 277

Mobile: +91 94434 44778

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/07/devanathaswamy-temple-thiruvanthipuram-connectivity.html

Location | Photos

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Connectivity

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Thiruvaheendrapuram Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Varakalpattu Railway Station, 6 Kms Thirupathiripuliyur Padaleeswarar Temple, 19 Kms from Panruti, 8 Kms from Cuddalore, 6 Kms from Thirupathiripuliyur Railway Station, 6 Kms from Cuddalore Bus Stand, 10 Kms Cuddalore Port Railway Junction, 26 Kms from Puducherry, 33 Kms from Pondicherry Airport, 48 Kms from Chidambaram, 174 Kms from Chennai Airport and 180 Kms from Chennai.

Cuddalore is well connected by bus from all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu. One can reach Thiruvaheendrapuram in about 4 hours by bus from Madras. Daily Trains to Cuddalore on the Main Line from Madras. Chozhan Exp (Dep 820am), Karaikal Exp (Dep 11.15pm) and Uzhavan Exp (11.30pm). From Cuddalore, one can take a town bus (route 16) to Vahindapuram. From the bus stop (1 Km), one may take an auto (Rs. 15) to reach the temple. An auto from Cuddalore bus stand would cost about Rs. 60 (one way).

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Literary Mention

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Literary Mention

Thirumangai Azhvaar:

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwar in eleven hymns. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Thirumangai mentions about the location of the temple under the foothills and glorified the scenic location surrounding the temple. He also mentions the various avatars of Vishnu.

He had sung 11 Paasurams on the Lord. In his Periya Thirumozhi verses, Thirumangai Azhvaar refers to Lord of Thiruvaheendrapuram as Deiva Nayakan. In the very last verse, he refers to the Utsava deity of the temple - Moovar Aagiya Oruvan. Thirumangai Azhvaar refers to both the Moolavar and Utsavar deities in his Periya Thirumozhi verses.

இருந்தண்  மா நிலம்  ஏனம் அது ஆய்

வளை  மருப்பினில் அகத்து ஒடுக்கி

கருந்தண் மா கடல்கண் துயின்றவன் இடம்

கமலநல் மலர்தேறல்

அருந்தி இன் இசை முரன்றுஎழும் அளிகுலம்

பொதுளி அம போழிலூட

செருந்தி நாள்மலர் சென்று அணைந்து உழிதரு

திருவயிந்திரபுரமே

Vedanta Desikar:

Also, Acharya Maha Desikan had sung the glory of Perumal in his hymns. Sri Desika had lived in this place for about 4 decades and wrote many books on Lord. The house he resided here is still praised as Desikan Thirumaaligai. He had also dug a well himself. His hymns on Perumal is on the Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava, considering himself as the spouse of Lord Perumal. He also made his own idol. Sri Vedanta Desikar has sung songs and Paasurams on Deva Nayaga Perumal and is called as "Devanayaka Panjasath" and Achyutha Sathakam in Sanskrit.

Also written Mummanikovai, Pandhu, Suzhal, Ammanai, Oosal, Eysal, Navamani Maalai are the short poems written by him. Almost all of these works have indirect and direct mention of the temple. The image of Vedanta Desikar is housed in a separate shrine, with a separate Dwajasthambam, a flagstaff. Desika has also praised Rama, whose shrine is in the temple, in his works in Raghuvira Gadayam. Vedanta Desikar has eulogized Hayagriva in his works.

Srivillputhurar:

Srivillputhurar, in his Villibharatam narrates that the temple was visited by Arjuna, the Pandava prince during his pilgrimage.

Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar:

Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar in his Ashta Prabandha states that heavens shower flowers on the devotees of the temple.

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Festivals & Religious Practices

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Festivals & Religious Practices

The temple priests perform pooja (rituals) as per Vadakalai Sampradayam during festivals and on a daily basis (Vaikhanasa Agama). As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. 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 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alankaram (decoration), Neivedhyam (food offering) and Deepa Aradhanai (waving of lamps) for both Devanatha Perumal and Senkamalavalli Thayar.

During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (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 temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The major festival, the twelve-day Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May). Garuda Seva on the 5th day and Theerthavari & Rathotsavam, the temple car is drawn on the 9th day when devotee crowd will exceed a lakh.

Nammazhwar Sathumurai 10 days and Perumal Vasanth Utsavam 10 days in May-June; Narasimha Jayanthi; Aadi new moon day-Amavasya and Aadi Pooram in July-August; Aavani Pavithra Utsavam in August-September; Sri Krishna Jayanthi; Purattasi Maha Desikan Utsavam in September-October; Deepavali in October-November with festival for the first three Azhwars, Tirukarthikai in November-December; Hanumanth Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Andal wedding festival; Bogi and Makara Sankranti in January-February and Panguni Sri Rama Navami in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Masi Mahotsavam is another ten-day festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March). During the festival, the festival image is taken in procession to the seashore in Cuddalore. There are religious discourses, musical performances and floats organized during the festival.  The temple is a renowned pilgrim centre and devotees tonsure their heads during auspicious occasions. Marriages are also performed in the premises. Manavala Mamunigal Utsavam is a festival celebrated by Thenkalai, a sect of Vaishnavites, commemorating the saint Manavala Mamunigal. During the event, the festival image of the saint is taken in procession around the streets of the temple.

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – History

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – History

The Epigraphical Department has found more than 50 inscriptions in the temple belonging to the Medieval Chola period. The inscriptions indicate grants to the temple from Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120), Vikrama Chola (1118–1135), Rajaraja Chola III (1216–1256), Jatavaraman Sundara Pandyan (1251–1268), Vikrama Pandya, Vira Pandya III, Vijayanagar king Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542 CE) and Kopperunjinga.

The Chola country was under siege during the rule of Rajaraja Chola III and he was imprisoned by Kopperunjinga, a Pallava scion. Vira Narasimha II (1220-1234) came to the rescue of the Chola and ultimately killed the Ceylon king Parakramabahu. A temple tower was erected during the reign of Kopperunjinga, while the procedures of worship were accorded similar to other temples during the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan.

The idols of Sri Rama, Sri Sita, Sri Lakshmana and Sri Hanuman were brought to Vandalur in Chennai, in the year 1868, on Oct 5, by Mudumbai Ramaswamy Iyengar, from the Tanjore Palace. When Ramaswamy Iyengar migrated to Bangalore, he had all these Gods installed in the Sri Devanatha Swamy Temple, since Chetti Punniyam, was his native village.

As per the legends, the first Mysore Dewan Veeravalli Rangachar (1831-1883) also hailed from this village. Sita Kalyanamu, a work in Telugu and Sanskrit, composed in praise of Lord Rama at Chettipunnyam by Shahji Maharaj of the Serfoji dynasty is said to be preserved in the Saraswathi Mahal Library at Thanjavur. In the year 1848, the idols of Yoga Hayagriva and Devanatha Swamy were brought here from Thiruvandipuram (Devanatha Swamy Temple) near Cuddalore to protect them from alien invasion.

In Thiruvanthipuram, Sri Vedanta Desika recited the Garuda Mantra taught to him by his uncle, Sri Kidambi Appular and was initiated into the worship of Hayagriva by Garuda. Sri Vedanta Desika composed the Hayagriva Stotram in 33 verses. Apart from the `phalasruti' there are 32 verses. There is a reason for Desika writing the Stotram in 32 verses. The Brahma vidyas are 32 in number. His composing the Hayagriva Stotram in 32 verses is to show that Hayagriva is the repository of all vidyas. 

The 32^nd verse of the Hayagriva Stotram which is the 'Dhyana Sloka', speaks of Hayagriva's right lower hand as 'Vyakhyamudra' - the elucidating pose and the left lower hand holds a book. Desika says that Sri Saraswathi, Sri Dakshinamurthy and sages like Vyasa reflect a fraction of Lord Hayagriva's effulgence). 

The descendants of Ramanuja were given special provisions for worship during the period of Vijayanara Empire. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Legends

Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram – Legends

Tiruvahindipuram:

Due to their pride and arrogance, the Devas of the celestial world were defeated by Asuras-demons and driven away from their place. All of them surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu at this place-Oushadhachalam. Lord promised them help. The Asuras sought the help of Lord Shiva to win again. Lord Shiva too promised his help. Seeing that the Devas beaten and defeated, Lord Vishnu applied his discus-Chakkrayudha that chased and killed the demons. All surrendered at Lord’s feet.

Lord Vishnu appeared before them as Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva and pleased all. As he was the captain of the Devas, he was named Devanatha. Knowing that Lord Sri Narayana had decided to stay here forever, Adhishesha built a town, which we now call Tiru Ahindi (Adisesha) Puram (place) – Tiruvahindipuram. Tiruvahindipuram became Thiruvanthipuram with the passage of time.

Puranic References:

The temple finds mention in Brahmanda Purana, Naradiya Purana and Skanda Purana.

Lord Vishnu darshan to group of Sages:

According to the accounts, a group of sages wanted to have a sacred view of Vishnu and went all the way to Thiruparkadal, the Ocean of Milk. They could not view Vishnu there and went all the way to Vaikunta, the heavenly abode of Vishnu. The guardians there stated that they could meet Vishnu only in a place close to the seashore north of Kumbakonam, south of Tirupathi and west of Kanchipuram. When the sages reached there, they found sage Markandeya and his daughter Bhudevi were doing penance. They could view Mahavishnu in resplendent form with his weapons Sudarshana (wheel), Panchajanya (conch) and Kaumodaki gracing his arms.

Sesha Theertham:

As per another legend, Vishnu handed the job of obtaining the pure water of lake Vraja Theertha located in the nether world to Garuda, the eagle vahana. Garuda reached the nether world and secretively obtained the water from the lake, without the knowledge of the sage, who established the lake. The sage came to know about it and cursed the water to turn impure. Garuda then pleaded with the sage indicating the orders of Vishnu.

The elongated transaction delayed the proceedings and Vishnu turned to his other prime devotee Adhishesha, the serpent who constructed a well called Sesha Theertham, by whipping the earth with his tail. The water from this well is used daily for the preparation of the temple prasad. 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.

Garuda Theertham:

Garuda who came back late (after Adhiseshan had already helped quench the Lord’s thirst) requested the Lord to accept his water too as sacred. The river brought by Garuda flows nearby in his name as Garuda Nadhi-river offering the same benefit to the devotee as in the Holy Ganga. The water of the river is red as blood during the monsoon due to a curse of a Rishi, it is said. The Lord accepted the water on the Chariot Procession day.

On this day, water from this river (Kedilam) is brought and offered to the Lord. This is the only Divya Desam where both vehicles of Vishnu brought water for the Lord. Aadhishesahan worshipped Sriman Narayanan in this sthalam. Adhiseshan brought both the Viraja Theertham (Garuda Nadhi) and Ganga Nadhi together and dedicated those two rivers towards the divine feet of Sriman Narayanan.

Garuda & Adisesha:

This is the only Divya Desam where both the mounts satisfied Lord Thirst. Both, the Snake and the Garudan are said to opposite (enemies) to one another. But, in this sthalam, they both worshipped the Perumal along with each another as brothers.

Brammachalam:

Lord Brahmma had performed penance here, hence the name Brammachalam for the place.

Oushadhachalam:

The hill place also bears the name Oushadhachalam as a piece of the Sanjeevi mount fell here when Hanuman was carrying the same to Lanka. The hill has many herbals with high medical value.

People performed penance here:

Lords Brahmma, Shiva and Indira, Mother Bhoomadevi, Sages Brugu and Markandeya had performed penance here.

Equivalent to Vaanama Malai:

Vaanama Malai, which is one of the Divyadesam in Pandiya Naadu has all the characters of curing all and any kind of diseases. With the oil, which is found in the well, all the diseases are cured and the Perumal there is Deva Nayaga Perumal. Similarly, Deva Nayaga Perumal is giving his Seva in this sthalam in Nindra Seva and curing all sorts of unrecoverable diseases.

Lakshmi curse on Lord Vishnu:

Once upon the time, Lord Vishnu teased up Sri Lakshmi on seeing her face. Getting anger on him, she gave a curse that his face will be get cut during some time. As the same way, one demon named Hayagriva made tapas on Parasakthi for almost 1000 years and asked for a boon that if he needs to be killed, an equivalent person of his category and strength should kill him. As his wish, he got the boon and on getting it, he started to kill and destroy the happiness of Devas, the people and sages in the world.

His head was same as that of the horse. So, Lord Brahma took Lord Vishnu's head and replaced it with the horse's head. Finally, Lord Vishnu killed Hayagriva demon and he along with Aadhi Lakshmi sat on top of this mountain and giving all the health and wealth to the people of this world.

Shaiva Vaishnava Unity:

There was a little bit of religious intolerance in the minds of the people during Chozha Emperor's time. Once, a Chozha King came to this sthalam and thought of demolishing this Hayagriva temple. At that time, to eliminate the racism out from his heart, Sriman Narayanan changed himself to Lord Shiva with 3 eyes and Jada mudi (long hair in the head) and gave Seva to Chozha Emperor and explained him all the Gods are same and there should not be any difference between the God.

The Perumal in this sthalam is Deva Nayaga Perumal with the Lotus in the inner palm of his right hand, and in the fore head, he has the Eye along with Jada mudi and Changu and Chakram on his hands. This is one of the Seva which tells us all the Gods are the same because, Lotus which is found with Lord Brahma, and Nettrikkan (Eye on the fore head) and Jada Mudi which is found with Lord Shiva and Sangu and Chakram which is found with Shri Vishnu. This shows there should be no fights between Vaishnavism and Saivam and both are similar one. To explain this, he gives Seva as like this in this sthalam.

Prarthana Sthalam:

This is said to be a Prarthana sthalam for ‘Good Education’ and to cure ‘speechless children’. 

Brother of Thirupathi Srinivasa:

Legend has it that the Lord here is considered as the brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa. 

Arjuna penance on Lord Vishnu here:

Arjuna undertook penance at this temple and hence this Divya Desam dates to the Mahabharata.

Indira’s hiding at Tiruvahindipuram:

Having gained dominating powers thanks to his sincere penance, a demon attacked Indira Logam and drove out Indira, who is said to have gone into hiding here. The hassled Devas went up to Vishnu who asked them to perform a Yagam at Vahindapuram. On the completion of the Yaagam, Indira is believed to have come out of his hiding. Vishnu appeared before him and presented the Vajra Ayudham with the help of which Indira defeated the demon and re conquered the Indira Logam.

Vedanta Desikar’s connection with Tiruvahindipuram:

The great Sri Vaishnava Guru Vedanta Desika reached here as a human incarnation of the Lord's Ghanta (bell) who would attain fulfilment in his penance carried out on the Hill. When he was about 20 years old and had mastered all Sastras, he came to this place, worshipped Sri Narasimha at the hill, prayed Garuda who appeared before him and initiated him in Hayagriva Upasana which helped Desika attain religious knowledge to its greatest depths.

Vedanta Desika lived here for 40 years and scripted the Sampradayam for Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavites. Hence this temple is said to be the ‘Home to Vadakalai Sect’. Special significance is attached to the Desigan Sannidhi at this temple. Desigan who was devoted to this Lord, wrote great pieces of literature on Lord Deiva Nayagan and Lord Hayagriva. Desikar got a sculpture (Thirumeni) of his done at this temple.

A sculptor questioned Desikar if he could give life to this art form. When the sculptor touched the Thirumeni to get a feel of it, there was a scratch seen on it and to his shock, he found blood flowing down. Realizing his mistake, the sculptor is said to have apologized to Sri Desikan. Vedaantha Desikar lived for almost 40 years in this sthalam and we can see the Thirumaaligai he lived. Separate Utsavams in September - October for Vedaantha Desikar is done in a very grand manner.

Hayagriva Avatharam:

Hayagriva Avatharam of Vishnu is not one among the Dasaavathaarams but is ancient than that. Two asuras Madhu and Kaitapha stole the Vedas and hid them. Lord Vishnu as Hayagriva retrieved them and preached them to Goddess Saraswathy and Lord Brahma making them the custodians hence Hayagriva is looked upon as the fountain head of the Vedas. Being the place where Lord Vishnu, in Hayagriva form, brought back the educative scriptures, he is referred to as the God of Learning. He is believed to fulfill one’s prayers relating to education and studies at this temple.