Srimushnam Bhuvarahaswamy Temple

Srimushnam temple is an very ancient one with stunning architecture all around. The amazingly majestic Gopuram / Vimana welcomes you to the magnificently built temple. Inside the temple, resides the beautiful Bhuvaraha Swami, a small deity much in contrast to the largeness of the temple, but more wonderful. The Deity is one of the 8 Swayambhu Deities in Vaishnava Divyadesams. Ambujavalli Thayar is the Lord’s consort, and the very moment you see Thayar, you feel She is the very embodiment of affection.

Sthala Puranam

Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashipu, wanted to be a dominant force. To achieve this, he rolled over the earth and took it into the nether world, from where he ruled. Bhoo Devi undertook penance seeking help from Lord Narayana to protect her from the Asura. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a boar), went into the sea and killed the asura. He brought back the earth on his Adisesha and appeared here as a Swayambu archa-vigraha.

Legend has it that he created the Pushkarani with the sweat emanating from his body after his battle with Hiranyaksha. On his death bed, Hiranyaksha prayed to the Lord and as his final wish wanted the Lord to turn to turn in his direction. Hence Bhoo Varahan’s face is seen turned in the direction of the asura towards the South. An interesting feature of the moolavar deity at this temple is that the face, in the form of a boar, is turned towards South, while the body bearing a human shape is facing West in the direction of the devotees.

Childless couples can do a Pooja here and will be blessed with Children soon.

While Bhuvarahar is a swayambu archa-vigraha, the temple here in Srimushnum is said to have been constructed by Four Nayak kings- Achuthappa, Ananthappa, Govindappa and Kondappa Nayak.

The story goes that Ananthappa Nayak developed severe stomach pain when they camped at Rajendrapatnam, 8kms East of Sri Mushnum. He was relieved of his pains when Lord Vishnu came in his dreams and touched his stomach with his leg.

Delighted at this, he came here and constructed the temple. To this day, one can see the five fingers of the Lord below his left stomach.

Special Prasadam
One of the specialities at this temple is the offering of Korai Kazhangu as prasadam to the Lord

Festivals
Brahmotsavam in Maasi
Chariot Festival in Chitrai

Getting There
The Srimushnam temple is located about 70 kms from Cuddalore & 39 kms from Chidambaram in the Kattu Mannar Koil Taluk .

Timing: 730am-1230pm and 5pm-9pm

Source: www.ramanujadasan.wordpress.com and prtraveller.blogspot.com