Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple

Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha avatar, located in Srimushnam town in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras. The temple is known for its Dravidian architecture, large gopuram, and sacred tank. Revered by Alvars, it attracts pilgrims year-round and is noted for its self-manifested deity and historic Chola and Nayak-era structures.

Visitors can expect a large Dravidian-style temple complex with a tall eastern gopuram, pillared mandapas, and a central sanctum housing the Varaha deity. The temple surrounds include prakarams, shrines for consorts and Alvars, and a temple tank. The atmosphere is devotional with daily pujas, darshan queues, and prasadam distribution. Visitors can explore sculpted pillars, gopuram artwork, and courtyard areas while observing traditional rituals and festivals.

The temple's origins are associated with the Chola period, with later expansions attributed to Thanjavur Nayaks and Vijayanagara rulers. Inscriptions and architectural styles indicate development over several centuries. The main deity is considered swayambhu (self-manifested). The temple complex exhibits classic Dravidian features including gopurams, mandapas and stone sculptures developed through successive renovations.

The temple is revered as one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras of Vaishnavism. It is dedicated to Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu, worshipped as Bhu Varaha Swamy with his consort Ambujavalli. Hymns by Alvars and association with Vaishnava tradition give it high religious importance. Annual Brahmotsavam and other Vaishnava festivals draw large numbers of pilgrims.