Srimushnam Temple

Srimushnam is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. SriMushnam is a very sacred place to Hindus as well as Buddhists and it is one of the 8 Svayam Vyakta Ksetras of Vaishnavas

Srimushnam's presiding deity is 'Lord Bhuvaraha', because of this SriMushnam is also called 'Varaha Kshetram'. The consort of lord Bhuvaraha is Ambujavalli Thayar. The icon of the temple is not sculptured by any human but is a formation of the stone saligarama (black smooth round stone) and is also called 'Yagna Varahan'. The utsavamurthy does not resemble a wild boar in acceptance to the desire of His celestial consort. This is the only place where all the deities are Varaha Murtis.


It is said that lord vishnu resides in this particular place in three forms. One in the form 'Ashwatha tree', second as 'Nithya Pushkarani' and as 'Bhoovaraha Swamy'. The temple tank, called Nithya Pushkarani', is known for its medicinal values which is a panacea. The 'Ashwatha tree', stands like a colossus near the sacred tank. It is believed that it has a beneficial effect of blessing sterile women with progeny. Meditation and chanting of 'Gayathri Mantra' under the tree after bathing in the holy tank vouchsafes a place in the heavens.

The temple existed aeons ago and has withstood the onslaught of nature. But, only in the 16th century, it gained prominence, according to the inscriptions. The Vijayanagar kings took special interest in the renovation of the temple and constructed mandabams and shrines. They also systematized the daily poojas and designed important vahanas like the 'thiru ther (temple car).

It is accepted by all that the Lord transcends all religions here. The Muslim brethren welcome the presiding deity with grandeur. He criss-crosses Thaikkal and accepts the offerings of Muslims. It is indeed unique that the Lord stops in front of the mosque and accepts garlands and candy from the chief kazi. After lighting the camphor in the mosque, the kazi recites verses from the Koran.

The Lord makes his nocturnal visits in a flower-bedecked palanquin accompanied by bursting of crackers and splendid display of fireworks. There is an interesting story behind this. The Nawab, inflicted by an incurable disease, was almost sinking when a devotee of Sri Bhuvarahan happened to visit the Nawab. Sensing the seriousness of his condition, the man, a Madhwa Brahmin, offered him tulasi and holy water which he had got as prasadam from the Srimushnam temple. The Nawab accepted it reverently and he was cured of his malady miraculously. As a token of gratitude and thanks giving, he offered several acres of cultivable land and orchards to the temple trust. This property is under the survey of Madhwa Brahmins till date. In this village, no Hindu God, except Sri Bhuvarahan, is allowed to enter.

Being Varaha, the Lord Bhuvarahan likes to eat 'gOrai kizhangu'. Therefore, a sweet dish ('laddu') made out of gOrai kizhangu is presented as prasad.

Sri Madhwacharya has visited this temple and lake dug by him called madwasarovara is near by the town.


Srimushnam Temple I would like to give in a slide show. Click here