108Pillared Maha Mandapa with
artistic sculptures is the biggest for a Vishnu Temple in the region
Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika
visited the temple on their way to Melkote
An Underground tunnel and the
sacred Lizard are unique features at the temple
Located
about 70kms North of Coimbatore off the Chamarajnagar Mysore NH on the banks of
Bhavani Sagar River and at the foot of the Kambaththa Raya Hills is the ancient
Venugopalaswamy temple in the sandal wood town of Sathyamangalam in Kongu Nadu, an Abhimana
Sthalam that pre-dates the period of Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika. Lord Venugopala
is seen in a handsome standing posture alongside Rukmini and Satyabhama holding a conch
and chakra and playing a flute with his other two hands.
Welcoming
one at the entrance is the 80feet high Garudasthamba built on a single stone.
The Story
The
temple is believed to have been built by a Mysore ruler almost a 1000years ago.
Ramanuja and Vedantha Desigar are believed to have stayed here for a few days
on their way to Thiru Narayanapuram in Melkote. (Ramanuja also visited
Karamadai Ranganatha temple –
http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/06/karamadai-ranganatha.html
- about 45kms from here and stayed there for a few days).
Pandya Connection
The number
of Fish sculptures on the pillars and atop the walls leads one to believe that
Pandyas may have contributed to the temple as well.
Tipu Sultan and Venugopalaswamy
The treasurer
of Tipu Sultan whose role it was to collect payments /dues
decided to use these payments for the temple. The Venugopalaswamy temple in its
current form and structure with the
three Tier Raja Gopuram and Five Kalasas atop the Gopuram is believed to be a
result of his efforts.To mark
this event and his contribution to the temple, one can see the sculpture of Tipu and Venugopalaswamy on a pillar
at the 108 pillared Maha Mandapa at the entrance of the temple. These 108
pillars are the biggest among the Vishnu temples in the Coimbatore and Erode
region.
Also, there
are 21 prominent Pancha Loga Sculptures inside the temple. Inside the Artha
Mandapa, on two pillars are artistic sculptures relating to Dasavathara.
Perumal in three different
Postures
While Venugopalaswamy is the main deity at this temple, there are two other forms of Vishnu also seen here at this temple in Sathyamangalam.To the right of Venugopala Sannidhi is the Lakshmi Narayana Sannidhi, where the Lord is seen in a sitting posture. Inside this sannidhi is an underground tunnel that is believed to date back to the 18th century. Tipu Sultan may have used this underground tunnel during his battles.
Behind
the Venugopala Sannidhi is the Ranganatha Sannidhi where the small and handsome
Lord Kasturi Ranganatha is seen in a Bhujanga Sayana Posture facing the
devotees sleeping atop the 7 hooded Serpant Adhisesha. There is also a centuries old inscription in
front of the Ranganatha Sannidhi.
All the three Moolavar deities are Abhisheka idols.
Liberation from Doshams
Similar to the Lizard (though not a golden one) at the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram, one finds a huge Lizard on the wall of the Western Prakara. Invoking the blessings here is said to liberate one from all kinds of Doshams.
Prarthana Sthalam for Unmarried
people
Every
Friday morning, special Abhisheka is performed at the Mahalakshmi Sannidhi.
Taking part in this is believed to help people find their life partner.
Ayyappa Sannidhi
A unique
feature at this temple is the presence of Lord Ayyappa inside the temple.
Festivals relating to Ayyappa are celebrated in a grand manner at this temple. Special
Abhisheka takes place for Ayyappa in Karthigai and Margazhi. Also, there is a
special utsavam for Ayyappa in Chitrai.
Vahanas and Chariot damanged
In
centuries gone by, there were 15Vahanas and a huge chariot and all the
festivals including the popular chariot festival were celebrated in a grand manner
with the Lord going out in a procession around the streets of Sathy. Over time, these
vahanas and the chariot have been damaged.
Festivals
Sri
Jayanthi Utsavam in Avani is a prominent utsavam for Venugopalan
Special
Abhisheka for Venugopalan on Rohini star every month
Vaikunta
Ekadesi – Opening of Swarga Vaasal
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Venugopalaswamy East facing standing
Posture with Rukmini and Satyabhama
Thaayar :
Mahalakshmi (Separate Sannidhi)
Temple
Time : 6am-12noon and 5pm-8pm
Contact :
Srinivasa Bhattar/ Lakshmi Pathy Bhattar @ 94438 99016/04295 222002
Office : EO @ 94426 03464 or 04295 221899
How to reach
From
Chennai, take train to Erode or Coimbatore.
From
Erode, one can reach Sathyamangalam in 1 1/2hours via Gobichettipalayam (Gobi)
From
Coimbatore, Point to Point buses every 15minutes to Sathyamangalam via Annur/
Puliyampatti- one can reach in 1 1/2hours
From the
Sathyamangalam bus stand, the Venugopala temple is about 1km. An auto to the
temple will cost Rs. 40/-. One has to cross the Bhavani Sagar river bridge to
reach the temple.
When
here, also visit Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Mondi Palayam (about 30kms) near
Puliyampatti and another ancient Ranganatha temple in Karamadai (on the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam
Road)
Other places to visit include Bhavani Sagar Dam and Bannari Amman Temple. The adventurous could try their hand ( foot) at the Sathyamangalam forest
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