Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple is at Thirumazhisai, a suburban area near Poonamallee at Chennai. Thirumazhisai is also the place of birth of Sri Thirumazhisai Alwar.
The temple is ascribed to the worship of Sri Maha Vishnu as Sri Jagan Nathar, the leader of the Universe.
This temple is also considered as the Abhimana Kshethram.
Thirumazisai is earlier known as Chrukuravalli, Chathur Vedhi Mangalam, Mahisaram and Maha Kshethram. During Chola and Vijaya Nagara regimes, this used to be the dwelling place of Vedhic pandits.
As per the legend, Maha Rishis Athri, Bruhu and Bhargava had desired to do penance for the darshan of Sri Maha Vishnu. They had approached Sri Brahma to identify a place for them. Sri Brahma had apparently asked Sri Vishnu to help.
Sri Vishnu had stated that the chosen place should be heavier than the rest of the earth by one grain of paddy. Sri Brahma had identified this place to suit the requirement. The rishis got the darshan of Sri Vishnu in this place.
As per another legend, the Saptha Rishis had desired to have the darshan of Sri Jagannatha Swamy in the middle path between Vada Jagannatha (Puri) at North (Uthara Jagannatha Kshethram) and Aadi Jagannatha at Thirupullani at South (Dakshina Jagannatha Kshethram).
They had ardently prayed to Sri Maha Vishnu to fulfill their desire. Hence Sri Vishnu appeared as Madhya Jagannatha, i.e., the middle Jagannatha at this place (Madhya Jagannatha Kshethram).
At Puri, Bhagwan Vishnu is in standing position; At Thirupullani, He is in reclining position; At Thirumazhisai, He is in sitting position. Here He is worshipped and praised as Poorna Jagannatham.
As per another legend, Sri Brahma was blessed with the Vishva roopa darshan of Sri Vishnu in sitting position at this place. As per another belief, Sri Rama is said to have passed through this place during His pre-war days with Ravana.
There is also a belief that Sri Venkatachalapathy of Thirupathi is giving darshan to His devotees in sitting position at this place.
According to the inscriptions in the walls of the temple, the temple is believed to be built in 14th or 15th Century.
The temple is built in Dravidian architecture. The Rajagopuram is five tiered.
Once we are past the Rajagopuram, we get to see the Dwajasthambam. We go on perambulation from the left side through the Ardha Mandapam to get to the Maha Mandapam which has the main sanctum.
The Maha mandapam has 28 scultured pillars. Sri Garuda’s shrine is at the backside of Dwajasthambam.
Sri Jagannatha is in sitting position with Sri Rukmani and Sri Sathya Bhama on His either side. His right leg is bent and His left leg is touching the ground. He has chakra on His right hand.
The Sages Bruhu and Markandeya are sitting at His feet.
It is believed that worshipping Sri Jagannatha Swamy would alleviate the ill effects of past deeds.
In the wall of the main sanctum, we get to have the darshan of Sri Vinayak as well with Raghu and Kethu as His hip belts. It is believed that worshipping Sri Vinayak here would alleviate the ill effects of planetary alignments in the horoscope.
The vimana of Sri Jagannatha is called as Jagannatha Vimana. It has the stucco images of Sri Garuda, Sri Hayagreeva and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
At the left side of the main sanctum, we have the Sannidhi for the 12 Alwars.
In the northern side of the Maha Mandapam, we get the darshan of Sri Thirumazhisai Alwar. He is in sitting position with folded hands. He is blessed with the eye on the left toe. Having the darshan of this eye is called Nethra darshan and it is said to alleviate eye related problems.
He is also worshipped as Sri Bhakthi Sarar as the title was bestowed on him by none other than Bhagwan Shiv Himself. As per the legend, Thirumazhisai Alwar is said to be the incarnation of the Sri Chakra of Sri Maha Vishnu.
Sri Mahalakshmi is worshipped as Sri Thirumangai Valli Thayar and Her Shrine is in the second precinct. It is believed that worshipping Her would alleviate obstacles in getting good alliances for marriages.
On fulfillment of their wishes, the devotees offer Thirumanjanam to Sri Jagannatha and Thulasi Archana to Perumal and Thayar.
The second precinct also has the sanctums of Sri Narasimha, Sri Andal and Sri Manavala Mamunigal.
The temple has Kalyana Mandapam for Divine marriage rituals, Vahana Mandapam for keeping the processional vahans and Parama Patha Vasal which is opened on Vaikunta Ekadashi day.
The temple is open from 06.30 A.M to 12.00 Noon and from 04.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M. Usha Kala Puja is done at 08.00 A.M followed by Kala Santhi by 10.00 A.M, Saya Raksha Puja by 05.00 P.M and Ardha Jama Puja by 08.00 P.M. Each Puja ritual has the procedure of Alankaram, Neivedyam and Deepa Aradhana.
Aani Brahmothsavam in June-July, Aippasi Manavala Maamunigal Urchavam in October-November, Maasi Theppam festival in February-March are some of the major festivals celebrated in the temple.
Special poojas are done on all Ekadashi days including Vaikunta Ekadashi, Sri Rama Navami, Sri Gokulashtami, Tamil New Year day, Deepavali, Karthikai and other festivals.
The Sthala Vruksham of the temple is Parijatha tree.
The temple tank is called as Bruhu Pushkarini.
Thirumazhisai is easily reachable by local buses in Chennai. Taxis can also be booked.
