Salem is one of the popular cities of Tamil Nadu. It is an ancient place and had trade connection with Romans even around two thousand years back. Any early civilization settlement is found on the bank of a river and grows into a city of modern time, this city has been founded on the bank of the river Tirumanimuthuaru.
The town is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills - the Nagarmalai in the north, the Jeragamalai in the south, the Kanjanamalai in the west and the Godumalai in the east. The name 'Salem' appears to have been derived from the word sashaila [सशैल] which means mountainous place.
Salem was under various rulers, earlier period it was switching between Pandyas and Pallavas. Then Cholas followed by Hoysalas who are known for their contribution for art, architecture, and religion. Then the area came under Vijayanagar Empire by poligar system devised by Madurai Nayaks.
The place then came under de-facto Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, followed by Britishers till we gained independence.
During Hoyslas and Vijayanagar periods many temples came up in Salem, which was then a fortified city. Thus the then fortified area is considered as the oldest area and now called as ‘fort area’. There are many old temples and religious institutes in this area, normally the temples have ‘kotai’ prefixed in their name, denoting it is located in fort area.
Kottai Mariamman Temple, Alagirinathar Temple also known as “Kottai Perumal Koil”, Sri Suguvaneshwara Temple located in Mettu Agraharam known popularly as “Kottai Eswaran Kovil” are the few temples to mention.
This remains to be most populous and busy area of the city. Today we come across the name first agraharam, second agraharam, mettu agraharam etc donning the area. This suggests that this area was flourishing with religious activity at one point of time. At that time it was vibrant with social, cultural interest. Many vigrahas of deities had been unearthed in this area, leading to believe that area was subject to lot of harm and damage. There are few mutts of sanatana dharma here which had survived those calamities of that time.
Followers of Sri Madhvacharya were spreading the Madhva Dvaita sidhantha. Their endeavors were seen to this effect in the western area of present Tami Nadu, namely Coimbatore, Salem, Dharmapuri etc. The principle deity of the followers of Sri Madvacharya is Sri Anjaneya whom they worship as “Sri Mukhyapraana”. As was the practice of the Dvaita mutts, they install Sri Mukhyapraana as the first deity where ever they establish a branch [study center].
Sri Vyasaraja [1460 – 1539] follower of Sri Madhva’s dvaita philosophy is known as raja guru of Sri Krishnadevaraya. He is also known for establishing 732 temples of Sri Mukhyaprana. To know more on his biography kindly read “Sri Vyasaraya Thirtha” in our web page.
Thus during course of time when Vyasaraja mutt established a branch at Salem Sri Mukhyapraana deity was installed there. Sri Mukhyapraana was under worship from the day of installation as per the Madhva tradition. It is not known as to when the mutt came into existence, but it could easily said to be hundreds of years before for sure.
The mutt is located on the northern wing of the first agraharam road. At the back of the mutt is Tirumanimuthuaru River. The road itself is busy shopping area. Entrance to the mutt is located between shops and showrooms. Once inside the mutt one could know how spacious the mutt premise is.
As one enters on the left is the garbhagrahams facing east. Then comes the mutt office, Navagraha, prayer hall, kitchen, kalyana hall then in the first floor few rooms for outstation devotees to stay etc., are present.
Originally sannidhi for Sri Mukhyapraana and Sri Sathya Narayana Swamy was present. Now at the same place the sannidhi had been renovated without disturbing the original installation.
Additionally two more sannidhis had come up on either side of the Sri Mukhyapraana sannidhi. One for Mrithika Brindavan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy and in the second sannidhi Mrithika Brindavan of Sri Jaya Theerthar and Mrithika Brindavan of Sri Vysaraja.
Sri Vidya Pressanna theerthar [1940 – 1969] 37th Piṭhadhipati of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt had installed the Mrithika Brindhavana of Sri Vyasaraja in the year 1973.
Sri Vidyaapayonidhi Theerthar the 38th Piṭhadhipati by Sri Vyasaraja mutt had installed Mrithika Brindavana of Sri Jaya Threerthar, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mirthika Brindhavana, and navagraham in the year 1985.
The idol of the Lord is made of black hard stone and is about four feet in height facing east in standing posture.
Lord is seen ready to walk northward. In the lotus feet of Lord is seen with hollow anklet [thandai] and a chain anklet [nupur]. He is wearing dhoti in kacham style and held in the waist with a decorative waist belt [udarabandha]. In the upper hand a bracelet known as ‘keyur’ and in the wrist a bracelet known as ‘kangan’ are seen. The right hand is seen raised and showing ‘abhaya mudra’. The left hand is resting on the left thigh and holding a sowgandhika flower. The flower is seen just above Lords left shoulder. In the bosom malas [rosary beads] and yagyopavit are seen. In the ears kundal is seen. Lords tail is seen raised up to the head and at the end small bell is seen. His head gear is seen as a small crown. Lord is looking straight with His bright eyes and the kataksham of the Lord falls directly on the devotee.
The calm atmosphere giving solace to the mind, offering prayer to the Lord of this kshetra is bound to lead us in righteous path to achieve our goal.
Ed: September 2024
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