Thiruputkuzhi

Thiruputkuzhi, referred to as a small temple town in Tamil Nadu, is located about 7 miles away on the western side of Kanchipuram and half a kilometre distance away from Baluchetti Chattiram positioned on the Chennai - Vellore highway.

Legend of Thiruputkuzhi
The legendary fable of Thiruputkuzhi has a close relation to the mythological story of Ramayana, where Lord Rama along with his holy consort Sita and brother Lakshmana were sent for 14 years of exile, leaving behind the wealth and luxury of the royal life. During their stay in forest once Sita spotted a golden deer. Lured by its enchanting beauty she requested Rama to fetch it. The mystic animal was sent by Ravana, the king of Lanka to misguide Rama and Lakshmana who went inside the dense jungle in its search. Meanwhile Ravana camouflaging his appearance in the guise of a Brahmin abducted Sita to take her along with him to Lanka. On their way to Lanka, Jatayu, a vulture tried to prevent Ravana and fought with him to release Sita, but was defeated as Ravana cut its wings. Rama and Lakshmana, after their return, found Jatayu in a fatally wounded condition who narrated the complete incident and then died. Sri Rama is said to have performed the last rites for Jatayu. As proposed by Jatayu, the Perumal here offers his service in the same form in which the final funeral of Jatayu was performed.

Jatayu who belonged to the Pul family, a separate family of eagle family was buried in a pit known as kuzhi in Tamil. Thus, this pilgrimage centre earned its name as Thiruputkuzhi from the mythological tale.

Pilgrimage Centre of Thiruputkuzhi
Thiruputkuzhi, regarded as one of the 108 Divya Desams, houses a small temple dedicated to Lord Vijayaraghavaswamy (Moolavar). Another separate shrine has been constructed for Thayar, revered in the form of Margathavalli Thayar and a sannidhi for Sri Ramanuja.

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