Vedanta Desika, Ramanujacharya and
Chakrathazhwar, where devotees can pray
before reaching the main Sanctum of this
temple.
The Vimanam (roof over the Sanctum)
is called Vijayakoti Vimanam, meaning a
symbol of victory. The Presiding Deity Veera
Raghava Perumal can be seen in a ‘’Bhujanga
Sayanam’’ (reclining position) facing the East
in the Sanctum of this temple. The Right hand
of the Lord is blessing Sage Salihotra and
the Left hand is in Gnana mudra preaching
Lord Brahma. The Abishekam (sacred
ablution) to the presiding deity Veeraraghava
Perumal is done only with Sandalwood oil
in this temple! The devotees get immersed
in Spiritual Bliss after they have the darshan
of Lord Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Perumal in
the Sanctum of this temple! The devotees
then have the darshan of the Lord’s consort,
Goddess Kanakavalli (also known as Goddess
Vasumati) in a shrine located parallel to the
main Sanctum of this temple.
Lord Veeraraghava Perumal is offered Pooja
four times every day and also many special
Prasadams like Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice),
Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam and
Murukku! The presiding deity of this temple
Lord Veeraraghava Perumal is believed to
cure the diseases of his devotees and hence
is popularly called as ‘Vaidhya Veeraraghava
Perumal’! It is a custom for the devotees here
to submit small metal sheets engraved with
a specific human organ, as a request to the
Lord to cure the illness or problem associated
with those organs. The devotees believe
that those suffering from incurable diseases
are cured if they worship Lord Veeraraghava
Perumal in this temple! Many devotees
come here seeking the Lord’s blessings for
marriage and progeny. The offering of Salt
and Pepper to Lord Veeraraghava Perumal is
believed to cure diseases and restore good
health to the devotees!The temple tank of Thiruvallur
Veeraraghava Perumal temple is called
‘Hritayathabhanasini’ and is located to the
West of the temple. This water in this tank
is as holy as the Ganges and is believed to
have curative and medicinal properties. A
sacred dip in this tank is believed to relieve
devotees from all sins committed through
actions as well as by thoughts! Several
thousands of devotees take a holy dip in this
temple tank on auspicious days like the
new moon!Cows are considered sacred in Hindu culture
and way of Life. The Hindus have been
worshipping the Cow as a mother since
ancient times. The Veeraraghava Perumal
temple has a big ‘Goshala’ (Cowshed)
that is well maintained by the temple
administration. The devotees come to this
temple from various parts of the country
and donate generously for the upkeep of the
Goshala! This noble act towards the Cows
is said to confer enormous spiritual merit
upon devotees!The chariot festival during the Tamil
month of ‘Chittirai’ (March–April), is the
most prominent festival celebrated in the
Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Perumal temple.
A Brahmotsavam (a 10-day festival) is
celebrated in this month and the festival
deity is taken in procession around the
streets of the temple, in different mounts
each day. The float festival is celebrated on
the last day. A single visit to the Thiruvallur
Veeraraghava Perumal temple in Tamil Nadu
not only removes the sins of devotees, but
also showers the blessings of the Almighty
Lord Veeraraghava Perumal!