Srimushnam – Sthala Puranam

Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Srimushnam, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami

Located 35kms West of Chidambaram in the Kattu Mannar Koil Taluk is the historical Bhoo Varaha Swamy temple in Sri Mushnum. Unlike typical moolavar deities in Vishnu temples, the Lord here is in the form of a small vigraham signifying the Varaha Avataaram. A visit even once to this temple and sincere prayers to Lord Bhoo Varahaswamy is said to help attain moksham in this lifetime, such is the power of Bhoo Varahar.

Srimushnum is one of the 8 Swayambu Kshetrams in India. The others are Srirangam, Tirupathi and Vanamaamalai in South India and Saligramam, Naimisarinyam, Pushkaram and Badri in North India. Bhoo Varaha Perumal is a Saligrama moorthy and the speciality of the temple is that there is a Thirumanjanam every day for the Lord.

Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashipu, wanted to be a dominant force. To achieve this, he rolled over the earth and took it into the nether world, from where he ruled. Bhoo Devi undertook penance seeking help from Lord Narayana to protect her from the Asura. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a boar), went into the sea and killed the asura. He brought back the earth on his Adisesha and appeared here as a Swayambu vigraham. Legend has it that he created the Pushkarani with the sweat emanating from his body after his battle with Hiranyaksha.  On his death bed, Hiranyaksha prayed to the Lord and as his final wish wanted the Lord to turn to turn in his direction. Hence Bhoo Varahan’s face is seen turned in the direction of the asura towards the South. An interesting feature of the moolavar deity at this temple is that the face, in the form of a boar, is turned towards South, while the body bearing a human shape is facing West in the direction of the devotees

Goddess was worried that people may turn away from here because of the Lord’s pig face. Hence, she undertook penance and requested him to display his handsome stature. Answering her prayers, Lord’s Utsavamoorthy features as Yagya Varahaswamy with conch and chakra. This is a Prarthana Sthalam for childless couples. Ladies, who have bath in the Nithya Pushkarani, go around the Arasa tree 12times, offer milk and fruits to small kids and recite the Varaha Kavacham are said to be blessed with Children. This is also a prarthana sthalam for the unmarried.

While in Tirupathi Divya Desam, one first visits Varahar before darshan of Moolavar Srinivasa perumal, here at Srimushnam, one is to visit the Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi at the Western entrance before a darshan of Bhoo Varahaswamy. One of the specialities at this temple is the offering of Korai Kazhangu as prasadam to the Lord. While BhooVarahar is a Swayambu vigraham, the temple here in Srimushnum is said to have been constructed by Four Nayak kings- Achuthappa, Ananthappa, Govindappa and Kondappa Nayak.  The story goes that Ananthappa Nayak developed severe stomach pain when they camped at Rajendrapatnam, 8kms East of Sri Mushnum. He was relieved of his pains when Lord Vishnu came in his dreams and touched his stomach with his leg.  Delighted at this, he came here and constructed the temple. To this day, one can see the five fingers of the Lord below his left stomach.

Brahmotsavam in Maasi, Chariot Festival in Chitrai
Moolavar : Bhoo Varaha Standing Posture
Goddess : Ambujavalli Thaayar(Separate Sanndihi)
Utsavar : Yagya Varaha Swamy
Time : 730am-1230pm and 5pm-9pm
Address : 41/61 South Car Street, Sri Mushnum 608 703

Direct buses from Chennai to Srimushnam: One can take any South bound train from Chennai and get down at Vriddachalam Junction Several buses from Vriddachalam to Srimushnam via Rajendrapatnam (about 30-45mts)
By car, Srimushnam is about 235kms from Chennai via Tindivanam-Vikravandi-Panruti-Neyveli-Vadalur and Sethiya Thope. One can reach in 4 hours.

English Writeup: Sri Prabhu