Thiruvannamalai Srinivasa Perumal

Srinivasa Perumal stayed here on the hill after missing Andal's wedding 

 

Located about 5kms North of Srivilliputhur in the back drop of the Western Ghats is the Purana sthalam of Srinivasa Perumal temple in Thiruvannamalai where the Lord is seen in a handsome standing posture

The story goes that Venkatachalapathy of Tirupathi was making his trip to Srivilliputhur with his retinue when Narada informed him while he was crossing this place that Andal’s wedding to Rangamannar had taken place.

Venkatachalapathy decided to return to Tirupathi, however Andal requested him to stay here at this very place and provide darshan to her and to the devotees as her elder brother.

Calmed by Andal, Srinivasa Perumal acceded to her request and stayed here ever after at the top of this hill.

One has to climb over 150steps to reach the Sannidhi.

The temple poojas are Eka Pera Vithanam under the Vaikanasa Agama System with the Moolavar being a Sthaanaga Veera- positioned as a single idol without Utsavar and consorts at the hill temple.

Utsavams

Puratasi Saturday is special at this temple. The temple is open from 1am for early morning pooja to 8pm on these days.

The utsava deity of this temple who resides at the Andal temple in Srivilliputhur is one of the five Perumal who go on a procession in their Garuda Vahana on the fifth day of Aadi every year.

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Srinivasa Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar   : No Thaayar at this temple

Utsavar   : No Utsavar at this temple

Temple Time: 7am-7pm

Priest    : Balaji Bhattar@94874 02557 / Mapillai Bhattar@ 94425 47533

How to reach

Mini Buses from Srivilliputhur go to the foot of the hill

Auto from Srivilliputhur and back will cost Rs. 150-200/-

Ponbethi Sundararaja Perumal Temple

A sacred temple for Pithru Tharpanam

Several Inscriptions in the temple date back to the Chozha and Pandya period

Pallava Period Sculptures inside the temple

Located 15kms South West of Avudayar Koil on the Aranthangi – Thirupannavasal road in the Pudukottai District is the Purana Sthalam of Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Ponbethi where Sundararaja Perumal is seen in a sitting posture alongside Sri and Bhoo Devi.

The Name

In the Sangam Period, this region including the belt extending to Irumbanadu in West was known as Mizhalai Nadu with Ponbethi serving as the capital of Mizhalai Nadu. This place is also referred to as Swarnaranya Kshetram.

Sacred Place for Tharpanam

The story goes that 96 rishis stayed here for one year and performed Tharpanam on 96 sacred days of the year. Once upon a time, there were 96temples and 96 sacred tanks at this place.

Pleased with their sincerity in performing the Tharpanam on the 96sacred days of the year, Lord Sundararajan provided darshan to the 96Rishis at this place.

Inscriptions

In centuries gone by, this had also been under the Pandya kingdom as can be seen from some of the inscriptions.Inscriptions also indicate that Budha Mithran ruled this place as a local king during the time of Veera Rajendra Chozha in the 11^th Century AD. As per the direction of Veera Rajendra Chozha and given that there was no big literature in Tamil after Tholkaapium, Budha Mithran wrote Veera Sozhiyam.

Some of the sculptures inside the temple indicate that this temple may have been built during the Pallava Period around the 8^th Century AD.

Festivals

A grand festival referred to as Vishnu Pathi Festival with Thirumanjanam for the Lord was initiated by the then rule of this region Irungo Velmaan and performed every year. This was believed to have been equivalent to Brahmotsavam at this temple.

Ashtami every month is sacred at this temple with special poojas being performed

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Sundara Raja Perumal East Facing Sitting Posture

Thaayar  : Swarna Lakshmi

Time       : 7am-11am and 5pm-7pm

Contact    : Mani Bhattar @76398 74516

How to reach

Ponbethi is about 30kms from Aranthangi. Buses every half hour from Avudayar Koil to Thiru Pannavasal.

No autos at Avudayar Koil.

Taxi to Ponbethi, Theeyathur and Irambanadu Perumal Koil and back to Avudayar Koil will cost Rs.750.

When at Ponbethi, also visit Irumbanadu and Theeyathur Perumal Temples.

Parthan Palli Divya Desam

Arjuna received 'Knowledge Initiation' from Parthasarathy here

Poigai Azhvaar in his Thiruvanthathi verse makes a reference to the Moolavar deity Thaamaraiaal Kelvan

Located near Thiruvenkadu (Budhan Sthala) about 15kms from Sirkazhi off the Poompuhar road is the Parthan Palli Divya Desam, one that dates back to the Mahabharatha period and a special one for Arjuna for it was here that he had a knowledge initiated from Lord Parthasarathy.

This Divya Desam is one of the 11 Divya Desams in Thiru Nangur.

Arjuna’s Thirst at Parthanpalli

While on a pilgrimage, Arjuna reached this place. Thirsty after a long trip and not finding water anywhere, he hoped to quench his thirst at Agastya’s ashram who was undertaking penance here but to his dismay he found that the Sage’s Kamandala too had gone dry.

Realising that this was Lord Krishna’s play, Sage Agastya directed Arjuna to invoke the blessings of his favourite Lord. Answering Arjuna’s prayers, Krishna appeared here as Parthasarathy and presented Arjuna with a sword. As instructed by Parthasarathy, Arjuna struck the ground with the sword and to his surprise water poured out of that place helping him quench his thirst.  This location, south of the temple, became the sacred ‘Katka’ Pushkarani.  To mark this event, Arjuna is seen here at this Divya Desam with a sword.

Knowledge Initiation for Arjuna

It was also here that Arjuna was initiated with ‘Knowledge Education’ by Lord Parthasarathy to make Arjuna understand who he really was and what his real powers were. Since Arjuna had this Knowledge initiation here and played the role of a student, this temple came to be known after him as ‘Parthan Palli’.

Poigai Azhvaar’s praise

Lord of Parthanpalli is the only Divya Desam Lord among the 11 Vishnu Temples in Thiru Nangur who is praised by an Azhvaar in addition to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar.

Poigai Azhvaar in his Thiruvanthathi verse makes a mention of the moolavar deity Thaamarai Aal Kelvan without a specific reference to Parthanpalli:

பெயருங் கருங் கடலே நோக்கும் ஆறு ஒண் பூ

உயரும் கதிரவனே நோக்கும் உயிரும்

தருமனையே நோக்கும் ஒண் தாமரையால் கேள்வன்

ஒருவனையே நோக்கும் உணர்வு

Utsava Deities

A unique feature at the Parthanpalli Divya Desam is the presence of two Utsava Deities- Parthasarathy and Kolavilli Rama, not seen elsewhere in the Thiru Nangur Divya Desam.

10Periya Thirumozhi Verses of Thiru Mangai

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar has praised Parthasarathy, the Lord of Paarthanpalli, in 10verses in Periya Thirumozhi.

He refers to Kannan as the one who protects his devotees, provides happiness to all those who believe in him and his powers. He goes on to say that he who rules the seven worlds is also the one who resides here inside the sturdy huge walls of Paarthanpalli at Thiru Nangur.

கண்ணன் என்றும், வானவர்கள்
காதலித்து மலர்கள் தூவும்
எண்ணன் என்றும், இன்பன் என்றும்
ஏழ் உலகுக்கு ஆதி என்றும், தின்ன மாடம் நீடு நாங்கைத்

தேவ தேவன் என்று என்று ஓதி
பண்ணின் அன்ன மென் மொழியாள்

பார்த்தன்பள்ளி பாடுவாளே 

Festivals

On the Amavasya day in Aadi, Parthasarathy goes on a procession to Poompuhar Sea (where River Cauvery merges with Bay of Bengal) for the Annual Theerthavari Festival

On the No Moon Day in Thai, Thirumangai Azhwar visits this temple

This is one of the 11 Divya Desam Lords to participate in the Grand Thiru Nangur Garuda Seva in Thai

Quick Facts

Moolavar         :  Thaamaraiaal Kelvan West Facing Standing Posture

Goddess           : Shengamalavalli Thayar (Thamarai Nayaki)

Utsava Deity    : Parthasarathy (and Kolavilli Rama)

Time                : 8am-10am and 5pm-7pm

Contact            : Kumar Bhattar @ 94422 26413

 

How to reach

From Sirkazhi, take Poompuhar bound bus (buses every half hour) via Thiruvali / Mangaimadam and get down at Thiruvenkadu. From here, Parthanpalli is about 2kms (auto will cost Rs. 40).

From Mayiladuthurai, take Poompuhar bound bus (every hour) to Thiruvenkadu (20kms)

Also, local buses (Numbers 4A, 12, 28 and 34) ply from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvenkadu/Parthanpalli

Irumbanadu Sundararaja Perumal Temple

Chola Period Temple is rich in inscriptions

In centuries gone by, the Lord here was referred to as the ‘Handsome Vinnagara Lord of Thiru Mizhalai Nadu’

Located 10kms West of Avudayar Koil in the Pudukottai District is an ancient over 900years old chola period Sundararaja Perumal temple in Irumbanadu. This is one of the three ancient Sundararaja Perumal temples in this region, the others being the ones at Theeyathur and Ponbethi.

Amidst  lush green fields all along the 10km drive from Avudayar Koil and away from the noise of a town life, this unspoilt and simple temple has a tall and handsome Sundararaja Perumal with a conch and chakra with his consorts Sri and Bhoo Devi by his side providing darshan in an East Facing Standing posture. The Moolavar idol is a Varnakala moorthy and hence there is no Thirumanjana for the Moolavar.

Chola Period Temple

Rich in inscriptions dating back to the Chola period, the temple with its granite construction still retains its solidity and strength of construction. The temple is under the administration of ASI. The temple has 20acres of land take care of by the ASI.

Going by the inscriptions, the idol of the Moolavar as well as the architecture, the Sundararaja Perumal temple here in Irumbanadu is believed to have been built in the later Chola period, possibly in the 12^th Century AD.

The Name

As per the inscriptions, this place was referred to as Thiru Mizhalai Nadu and the perumal at this temple was known by the name of ‘The Handsome Vinnagara Lord of Thiru Mizhalai Nadu’.

Inscriptions

On the Northern side of the Prakara are inscriptions dating back to early 13^th CenturyAD and to the rule of Kulothunga Chola while on the Southern side are inscriptions dating back to the 2^nd half of the 13^th Century to the rule of Sadayavarma Veera Pandyan. 

There are also several exquisite sculptures on the pillars in the Maha Mandapa inside the temple. 

Similar to Azhagar Koil

An interesting feature at this temple is the presence of 18steps Karuppana Swamy Sannidhi, bringing to the devotees memories of the Azhagar Koil Divya Desam which is renowned for the 18step Karuppanaswamy as the Security guard at the Eastern Entrance.

Dedicated Bhattar

Despite not having a big devotee crowd to serve every day, the well read Padmanabha Bhattar, who has been here at the temple for many decades now and whose family has been taking care of the pooja at the temple for several generations, performs one time pooja every morning at the temple before 9am.

Padmanabha Bhattar has also taken the effort to provide inputs in Tamil on the inscriptions found at this temple in a book that also contains several religious poems in praise of Lord Vishnu.

Festivals

Vaikunta Ekadesi- Opening of Swarga Vasal

Garuda Seva on the Vaikunta Ekadesi night is celebrated in a grand manner

Puratasi Saturdays are special at this temple and attracts devotees from the 10villages surrounding this temple

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Sundararaja Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar           : Sundaravalli Thaayar

Temple Time   : 7am-10am (Bhattar Stays next to the temple. Hence please call  in advance)

Contact             : Padmanabha Bhattar@ 99760 50185

How to reach

The temple is about 60kms from Pudukottai off the Avudayar Koil –Embal route. Buses ply every 15mts between Pudukottai and Aranthangi (35kms). From Aranthangi, take a bus to Avudayar Koil (about 15kms).

From Avudayar Koil, bus every 1 to 1 1/2hours to Irumbanadu.There are no autos available at Avudayar Koil.

Taxi from Avudayar Koil to Irumbanadu and back will cost Rs. 250/- 

Mondipalayam Venkatesa Perumal Temple

Located about 10kms from Puliyampatti near Sathyamangalam is the three centuries old Venkatesa Perumal temple in Mondipalayam. There are seven pits to be crossed from Puliyampatti before reaching the temple.

The Moolavar deity is in the form of a small Saligrama idol and is a swayambu murthy.

The Story

The story goes that Kondama Nayakar, who had a dream that there was a swayambu idol of Venkatesa Perumal in one of the 7pits in this region found the Saligrama idol and built this temple along with the contribution of the villagers.

Festivals

10day Brahmotsavam in Thai

Rama Navami and Krishna Jayanthi

Vaikunta Ekadesi in Margazhi

  

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Venkatesa Perumal Swayambu Moorthy

Goddess   : Mahalakshmi Thaayar

Utsavar   : Venkatesa Perumal with Sri and Bhoo Devi

Time       : 630am-1230pm and 4pm-730pm

Contact   : Balaji Bhattar @  98422 29960

 

How to reach

Point to Point buses every 10minutes between Sathyamangalam and Coimbatore. Get down at Puliyampatti (25kms from Sathyamangalam/35kms from Coimbatore)

Auto to Mondipalayam will cost Rs. 125-150. Buses every 1hour between Puliyampatti and Mondipalayam.

One can also get down at Sevur on the Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam route ( non point to point buses). From Sevur, Mondipalayam is about 5kms East.

Venugopala temple Sathyamangalam

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 18^th 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