PUNDARIKAKSHA PERUMAL TEMPLE- A STUDY

The temple is built as a fort. There are rooms built of stones on the south side with high echo powers. Being one of the 108 famous Vaishnava Divya Desas, this is the birth place of Saint Uyyakondan EngalAzhwan. To have the darshan of the Lord Pundarikakasha, the devotee has to pass 18 steps first representing the 18 chapters of Bhagwat Gita. The next 4 steps at the Gopuram tower entrance represent the four Vedas. After worshipping at the Bali Peeta there are 5 steps representing the five Bhoodasspace, water, fire, wind and earth.There are two entrances to the sanctum sanctorum, the Dakshinayana entrance open from Aadi to Margazhi Tamil months covering from July-August to December-January and the second Utharayana open from the Tamil months Thai to Aani covering January-February to June-July. The temple is on a hill of white rocks (Vellaiparai in Tamil) 50 feet tall, hence the name Vellarai with the respectful prefix Thiru – Tiruvellarai. The front Gopuram tower is in an incomplete stage. A Yogi, Pundarikakshan by name cultivated a flower garden – Nandavanam, grew Tulsi plants and worshipped Perumal and Mother. Perumal, pleased with the bhakti of Pundarikakshan blessed him with His darshan. Perumal also came to be known as Pundarikaksha Perumal.

Prayer begins at the Bali Peeta in the temple. Realizing their wishes, devotees perform Bali PeetaTirumanjanam and offer pudding-pongalnivedhana to Lord. Those seeking child boon, bathe in the Theerthas and consume the nivedhana offered to Perumal. This prayer, according to belief, ensures child boon without fail.
Perumal graces the devotees in a standing form facing east. The Vimana-tower above the sanctum is of Vimalakruth design. Emperor Shibi, Sage Markandeya, Lord Brahmma and Lord Shiva and Garuda Bhagwan worshipped Lord Pundarikaksha in this temple.
Lord Vishnu told Mahalakshmi who was also present on the occasion that he had transferred all rights of the place to her and He would be there only in Archarupa idol in the place.
The emperor was preparing to take on his mission then. Sage Markandeya stopped him and said that Lord Vishnu was already on the mission to destroy the Ravana group in His incarnation as Lord Rama and that he could therefore return to his kingdom. The king was not happy at the suggestion. Markandeya asked him to build a temple for the Lord who granted him darshan. Obeying the sage, the emperor brought 3,700 families to conduct the pujas in order. On the way one died and the number fell short by one. Lord assured the Shibi that he would replace the deceased and make the number 3,700 as the emperor wished.
Mother Sengamalavalli is in the sanctum sanctorum. During festival times, Mother leads the procession in a palanquin