| Vedanarayana perumal temple, Thirunarayana puram | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Tiruchirapalli |
| Deity | Vedanarayana perumal and Vedanayaki thayar |
| Location | |
| Location | Thirunarayana puram |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country |  India |
 Interactive map of Vedanarayana perumal temple, Thirunarayana puram | |
| Coordinates | 10°58′21″N78°19′05″E / 10.97247°N 78.31816°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
Vedanarayana perumal temple is a Hindu temple located in the Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Vedanarayana and Goddess Lakshmi as Vedanayaki. Lord Vishnu showers his blessings in a reclining position with four Vedas as his pillow and Teaching the Vedas to Brahma. [1] The structure is Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar king. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held there, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is open from 6 am to 7:30 pm. It is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. [2]
Significance :
There was a great devotee named Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar, who came to this sacred place along with his wife and six children, seeking moksham. During their stay in the temple, a sudden fire broke out and threatened to engulf the entire temple, including the Lord’s sanctum.
In his unshakable devotion, Araiyar threw his children one by one towards the Lord, to shield the divine idol from the flames. As the fire still raged, he finally threw himself into the fire and covered the Lord with his own body.
Moved by such supreme devotion and sacrifice, Sri Narayana was immensely pleased and immediately granted moksham to Araiyar and his entire family.
Hence, this holy place is also revered as Pillai Thirunaraiyur Abhimana Kshetram. To this day, there is a separate shrine dedicated to Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar in the temple prahāram.