Thiruvalur

The Veeraraghavaswamy temple at Thiruvallur, about 40 km northwest of Chennai, is one of the most prominent Divya Desams in the northern Tamil Nadu cluster. The presiding deity Veeraraghava Perumal — the heroic Raghava (Rama) — stands in a divine posture on a serpent couch, combining the aspect of Vishnu's reclining on Adi Shesha with the heroic character of Rama. Thirumangai Alvar, Tirumalisai Alvar, Tondaradippodi Alvar, and Andal all sang Mangalasasanam here — four Alvars is exceptional and places this temple in a small group of Desams with such wide Alvar reverence. The temple's five-tiered rajagopuram is visible from the railway station. The goddess Kanakavalli Thayar has her own separately accessible shrine and is widely invoked for auspicious beginnings. The annual Brahmotsavam draws enormous crowds from Chennai.

The Puranic legend holds that the sage Gautama came here to worship Vishnu to absolve himself of a sin committed in anger. Vishnu appeared before him as Veeraraghava — heroic like Rama — and assured the sage that true repentance and devotion absolve all karma. The site was thus consecrated as a place of purification and second beginnings, and devotees still come to start new undertakings — businesses, marriages, travel — with a first-day visit here.