Sri Peyazhwar Avatara Sthalam / Temple, near Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, Chennai – The Birthplace of Peyazhwar, prominent Vaishnava Alvar / Saint temple – Visit, History, Travel Guide

– the incarnation of nandaka – the divine sword of lord vishnu

Lord Vishnu’s 12 main devotees are called the “Azhwars”, their works contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism. To mark their significance, the idols of Azhwars are mostly found in almost all the Lord Vishnu temples in South India.

Sri Peyazhwar / ஸ்ரீ பேயாழ்வார் (Pey Alvar / Peyalvar / Peialvar / Pei Azhwar) is considered to be the third in the list of the three main Azhwars, the other two Azhwars are “Poigai Azhwar” – (பொய்கையாழ்வார் ) and “Bhoothath Azhwar” (பூதத்தாழ்வார் ), all these three collectively called Muthalamalvargal – Mudalazhwars, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition.

Pey Alvar got the name, “Pey,” which literally means his intense deep devotion toward Lord Vishnu. Peyalvar is considered to be an incarnation of Nandaka or Nandaki – the divine sword of Lord Vishnu.

History of Sri Peyazhwar Avatarasthalam / Sri Peyazhwar Temple:

The birthplace of Peyazhwar – the Thiru Avatara Sthalam is Mylapore, Chennai. Peyalvar was found as a baby wrapped in a red lily flower in the well of the Sri Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, (historically called Manikaivaram), which is now known as the Arundale street, Mylapore. Sri Adi Kesava Perumal is also called Mahadahvaya and Mylapuradapadh.

This temple / Sthalam has the well where Peyalwar was born, currently a small mandapam with a small idol of Peyalwar at this temple. This temple is just nearby the Sri Adikesava Perumal Peyalvar Temple, one of the most prominent and oldest temples in southern India.

Every year there would be Thirumanjanam – Abhishekam for Peyalwar at this place on the day of his birth star which is Aippasi Sadayam (ஐப்பசி சதயம்) – between October to November.

Currently, this temple – the birthplace of Peyalwar, is in a dilapidated state and needs better maintenance, and found with unpainted walls.

The Azhwars compiled the devotional songs called the “Nalayira Divya Prabandham” in praise of Lord Vishnu. Pey Azhwar composed hundred verses hymph that are classified as “Moondram Tiruvandadhi” (மூன்றாம் திருவந்தாதி ). An beautiful short excerpt from Moondram Tiruvandadhi is presented below:

திருக்கண்டேன் பொன்மேனி கண்டேன், திகழும்
அருக்கன் அணிநிறமும் கண்டேன், – செருக்கிளரும்
பொன்னாழி கண்டேன் புரி சங்கம் கைக்கண்டேன்,
என்னாழி வண்ணன்பால் இன்று.

இன்றே கழல்கண்டேன் ஏழ்பிறப்பும் யானறுத்தேன்,
பொன்தோய் வரைமார்வில் பூந்துழாய், – அன்று
திருக்கண்டு கொண்ட திருமாலே,உன்னை
மருக்கண்டு கொண்டேன் மனம்.

மனத்துள்ளான் மாகடல்நீ ருள்ளான், மலராள்
தனத்துள்ளான் தண்டுழாய் மார்பன், – சினத்துச்
செருநர்உகச் செற்றுகந்த தேங்கோத வண்ணன்,
வருநரகம் தீர்க்கும் மருந்து.

மருந்தும் பொருளும் அமுதமும் தானே,
திருந்திய செங்கண்மா லாங்கே, – பொருந்தியும்
நின்றுலக முண்டுமிழ்ந்தும் நீரேற்றும் மூவடியால்,
அன்றுலகம் தாயோன் அடி.

In the above Peyazhwar’s composition, its verses are set in the Andhadhi style, this composition has the ending word of each verse as the beginning word of the succeeding verse and the last word of the hundredth verse becomes the beginning of the first verse. The word Andha means end and Adi means beginning.

Temple Festivals at Sri Peyazhwar Avatara Sthalam / Sri Peyazhwar Temple, Mylapore in Chennai :

The important festival held here during Vasanthothsavam (spring festival), the deities of Adi Kesava Perumal, the Thayaars( Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi), and Peyazhwar are brought to this Avatara Sthalam and worshipped. Also, there would be Thirumanjanam – Abhishekam for Peyalwar at this place on the day of his birth star which is Aippasi Sadayam (ஐப்பசி சதயம்) – between October to November.

Travel Guide to visit Sri Peyazhwar Avatara Sthalam / Sri Peyazhwar Temple, Mylapore in Chennai

Address : Sri Peyazhwar Temple, Arundale Street, Madhavaperumalpuram, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004.
Entry Fee: Free

How to Reach Sri Peyazhwar Avatara Sthalam / Sri Peyazhwar Temple, Mylapore in Chennai :

On Road: As Mylapore is Chennai’s center of attraction, Taxis buses, and hired cars are easy ways to get around.
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Central (Station Code MAS) and Chennai Egmore Railway station ( Station Code MS).
Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport (Code MAA).

Check out and enjoy our photo captures of Sri Peyazhwar Avatara Sthalam / Sri Peyazhwar Temple, Mylapore in Chennai .

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