Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvahindrapuram (Hayagriva on Oushadagiri)
Also known as: திருவஹீந்திரபுரம் தேவநாதசுவாமி கோயில் · తిరువహీంద్రపురం దేవనాథస్వామి ఆలయం · तिरुवहींद्रपुरम देवनाथस्वामी मंदिर
Tamil Nadu Vishnu
A Divya Desam near Cuddalore. A small hill beside it, Oushadagiri, has a rare Hayagriva shrine on top, linked to the acharya Vedanta Desika.
- Deity
- Devanatha (Vishnu), Hemabhujavalli (Lakshmi), Hayagriva (on Oushadagiri hill)
- Tradition
- Vishnu
- Place
- Thiruvahindrapuram (Thiruvanthipuram), Cuddalore
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Sacred tank / theertham
- The Kedilam river (annual ceremonial bath) and a sacred well said to be made by Adisesha
Sthala Puranam
Near the temple is Oushadagiri, a small hill with a Hayagriva shrine on top. The temple notes this as the only old temple in South India with a Hayagriva shrine on a hilltop.
Vedanta Desika, the great Sri Vaishnava teacher, lived here for many years and wrote Sanskrit and Tamil works that mention this place. Tradition says he composed his Hayagriva stotram here.
A local legend says Garuda secretly took sacred water from a netherworld lake. The sage who made it cursed the lake to become impure. Vishnu had Adisesha create a well, whose water is used for temple prasadam. To console Garuda, Vishnu promised a river, believed to be the Kedilam.
Speciality
- One of the 108 Divya Desams. Thirumangai Alvar sang eleven hymns about it.
- A rare Hayagriva shrine on a hilltop, and a shrine for Vedanta Desika with his own flagstaff.
- Hayagriva is worshipped for knowledge and learning, so students visit before exams.
Festivals
- 12-day Brahmotsavam in Chithirai (April–May), with the car procession on the ninth day
- Masi Mahotsavam
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Panguni Uthiram
How to reach
Location is approximate.
Before you go
- Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
- Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
- Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
- The hill has a stepped path. Wear comfortable footwear and go in the morning.
Prayers for this temple
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