There is a story around how this temple was built by a Pakistani. How true is that story? I haven't heard it from any authentic source, if only because this temple predates the Pakistan nation by a couple of hundred years. Apparently there was someone from Lahore who was the man behind the construction of this temple, but the legend goes that the temple is about 200 years old.
The Bairagi Mutt is itself probably only slightly older. Although there are many shrines inside this complex, but the most prominent one is that of Lord Venkateswara and hence the name. As with quite a few other temples, while it is commonly called Bairagi Mutt, the full name of this temple is "Arulmigu Thiruvengadamudayan Venkatesa Perumal Thirukkoil".
Bairagi Mutt will do, I guess!
3 comments:
Hi Shantaram,
I too am intrigued by the story of a Pakistani saint building this temple...but what I have read is that there is a miracle that is attributed by a muslim woman to the deity who is supposed to have cured her of a stomach ache. In gratitude, she contributed towards building some parts of the temple which apparently display elements of Muslim architecture...haven't been inside this temple so am not in a position to expand this further!!!
The temple is referred to as "Lorraine's Pagoda" in old maps of Madras, Lorraine being a corruption of Ketty Narain, one of the old dubashes who is supposed to have contributed towards the building of the temple.
Why do people put such long names for their temples. No body remembers and you do not get directed too.
@Karthik: Whoa. Must go in the next time. That's what comes of going unwashed on early morning walks ;)
@PNS: Maybe you get more புண்ணியம்when you say a longer name? :)
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