Sripandaram Krishna Jayanthi Utsavam Srirangam

The biggest and the best transformation at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple has been the restoration of the Sri Pandaram to its ancient glory

A full fledged kitchen had come up at the Sri Pandaram in the 20^th Century with the so called traditionalist Vaishnavites doing brisk business with a ‘food stall’

Lord Namperumal made his annual trip to Sri Pandaram this Monday on the occasion of Krishna Jayanthi Utsavam providing darshan through the day

‘Pilot’ Krishnan Araiyar, who had just become a father to a son, presented a 90 minute devotional rendering at the Sri Pandaram on Child Krishna growing up into a young boy including the making of the salty seedai 

Several hundreds of devotees watched in awe the Sri Jayanthi Celebrations on Monday (Sept 3) at the recently restored 100 pillared Sri Pandaram South of the Manal Veli at the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, for it bore no resemblance to what even the most long time residents of Srirangam had experienced over the last many decades.

Not even the most ardent of devotee was clued in on the vast expanse of the 100 pillared mandapam at Sri Pandaram, a zone within the Ranganathaswamy temple where Lord Namperumal visits once annually on the occasion of Sri Jayanthi.

This is one of the four 100 pillared mandapam at the temple, each of which is connected through a neat pathway, an indication of the historical importance and relevance of these mandapams.

For decades, as one passed this 100 pillared mandapam from the Manal Veli on the Eastern side of the temple, all one could see was a high cement structure measuring 4 feet in height and 30 feet in width. Seated atop this temporary structure, the so called traditionalists at the temple sold food and snacks in the name of prasadams.

Thus with the passing of time this entire location within the huge temple complex had come to be seen as a ‘food’ stall. Almost none knew that this was for centuries together a huge 100 pillared complex.

Sri Pandaram turns into a Kitchen in the 20^th Century

If this 20^th century raised artificial structure was a shock, what one saw behind this high rise was quite unbelievable. A full fledged Kitchen had been functioning inside the temple with firewood stacked right up to the roof. There were artificial structures to the height of 4feet raised all around the mandapam to carry out the cooking. And a mini catering service had been carried out from within the temple complex. 

The restoration of the Sri Pandaram did not go through during the 18month restoration exercise that had been personally directed by the former late CM Ms. J Jayalalitha. The High Court order restricting renovation works stalled this work at the Sri Pandaram.

It was only subsequently that this was placed before the renovation committee appointed as per the court direction and approvals secured. 

And it was not an easy exercise to move the ‘food stall’ owners out of Sri Pandaram. It was business for them, selling food and snacks in the name of prasadam. Devotees, especially those from outside, continue to believe that this is the sacred food that has been presented to the Lord. Business has been brisk for several decades and those that have been running this have thrived on devotees’ innate desire to consume ‘prasadam’ at the temple.

The Best Restoration work within the Temple Complex

As has happened (and continues to happen), it took the persuasive skills and the devotional convincing powers (falling at the feet of the unauthorised food stall owner in full public view) of Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the temple to get the ‘snacks businessmen’ to agree to give up their occupancy of the Sri Pandaram (it is another matter that they have found  a nearby location from the Sri Pandaram to sell their ‘Prasadam’ food and snacks)

And thus began the restoration of this historical utsavam location at the Ranganathaswamy temple. All the temporary structures were brought down. The heat waves generated from the ‘kitchen’ had blackened the roof completely. It was a humungous task to remove the structures, the heat marks on the pillars and the roof and the dirty filth that had engulfed the entire area outside the 100 pillared Mandapam.

It turned out to be one of the most expensive restoration exercises for a standalone mandapam costing well over Rs. 1crore. The entire flooring was restored to the ancient single stone pieces as against the larger stones in vogue currently.

Avani Rohini – Lord Namperumal’s annual trip to Sri Pandaram

It is the Rohini Star on Monday. Just past 9am in the morning, there is a certain buzz inside the Nazhi Kettan Vaasal at the Srirangam temple ahead of the birthday celebrations of Lord Krishna. Away at the Sripandaram, the flower decoration is on. The entire stretch has been decked with Vritchi Poo.  

At 10am, Lord Namperumal began his procession to the Sri Pandaram, where devotees have already gathered in expectation of his arrival. Even the locals have not seen the Sri Pandaram in its ancient glory for they too believed that this was historically a place to distribute Prasadam. Outstation visitors to the temple too are delighted to find a 100 pillar mandapam that they seemed to be completely unaware of during their earlier trips.

A couple of hours later, 5 Araiyars led by ‘Pilot’ Krishnan Araiyar began their presentation in front of the Sri Jayanthi Mandapam of the first two hundred songs of Periyazhvar Thirumozhi, where the Azhvaar enjoys the mystic experience of handling a child prodigy (Krishna) through the eyes of a mother (Yashodha).  

It is probably the largest zone in the Srirangam temple outside of the 1000 pillared mandapam for an utsavam celebration. 100s of devotees sat in front of and around the mandapam at the Sri Pandaram to watch the devotional rendering of Krishnan Araiyar, who himself had just become a father to a 2^nd child.

Araiyar Sevai  by Pilot Krishnan Araiyar

Through this 90 minute presentation, Krishnan Araiyar, whose passion has been to become a Pilot from a very young age, brought to us the mood in and around Krishna’s house immediately following his birth. Yashodha dotes on him, sings lullaby for the baby in golden cradle, invites him to drink milk, and her friends to come to his house and admire the handsome features of the baby limb to limb. 

The birth of the child, the child’s first steps (Thalar Nadai), swaying dance on the mother’s lap (Sengeerai), clapping hands in happiness (Chappani) and the joy of sighting the full moon (Ambuli) for the first time were presented in detail in these verses.

Later during his presentation, he brought to those devotees present the yearnings of a loving mother who is seeking the embrace of this extra ordinary child, first receiving the hug from the front and then experiencing the embrace from behind leaving her in a state of ecstasy. When Krishnan Araiyar began his sevai of the verses on Lord Ranganatha's favourite flowers, one's eyes instantly moved to the flowers that Lord Namperumal adorned that morning at the Sri Pandaram.

ஆமாறு அறியும் பிரானே

அணி அரங்கத்தே கிடந்தாய்

ஏமாற்றம் என்னைத் தவிர்ந்தாய்

இருவாட்சிப் பூச்சூட்ட வாராய்

The clock was ticking to 1pm when the Araiyar began his presentation of the verses on child Krishna growing up to play with boys of his age and above.

Excitement among the devotees of Srirangam

Half hour later, he completed the presentation with a description of his acts of stealing butter and the feelings of the neighbours and their complaints to Yashodha wanting the mother to keep control of her mischievous son. It is a fascinating description of these angry feelings among the entire colony and a despondent mother who after sharing with her the entire list of complaints tries her best to advise him about staying away from his unfriendly neighbours. 

And when it came to the story of Krishna stealing the butter, one could spot a sense of excitement among the devotees with each of them visualizing the child Lord’s mischievous acts.

வெண்ணெய் விழுங்கி வெறுங் களத்தை 
வெற்பிடைஇட்டு  கேட்கும்

The neighbours say that he has gobbled up every ounce of butter on sight. He moves on from one house to another and there are going to be similar complaints from most other houses as well about these ‘wicked deeds’ of his. The neighbours instruct Yashodha that it is important for her to restrain him from such activities. They say that not only does he finish all the butter but he also has the audacity to throw all the empty pots on the rocks in such a way that it seemed he specifically wanted us to hear that thundering breaking noise

For 12 shravanams, her neighbour had made special offerings of rice made of paddy, ghee, cow’s milk, sugar and candy. And she now recollects what happened to each one of these. She bemoans that he finished everything and like an innocent child wanted another piece of it.

Salty Seedai and Delicious Laddus

And then another neighbour arrives. She says that she had made all the special sweets like Laddus and the Salty Seedai. He finished every single savoury. It was meant to be a lean day at home for that lady and she was not expecting any strangers at home. And hence she had gone away for a little while. But in this small gap, this naughty child came and finished off everything. With an intention to shame yashodha, she asks if this is the way for any child to be.

கன்னல்இலட்டுவத்தோடு சீடை காரெள்ளின் 

உண்டைகலத்திலிட்டு என்னகமென்று 

நான் வைத்துப் போந்தேன் 

இவன் புக்கு அவற்றைப் பொருத்திப் போந்தான்

Pilot Krishnan Araiyar ended his presentation with a complaint about Krishna’s act from the last neighbor in the colony.

Knowing Yashodha’s love for her son, the neighbor began with a statement that even Yashodha was likely to be furious with what she was going to hear.

She says that the boy entered her house, removed the bangles from her daughter’s hands, went out through the back door on to the street and exchanged these bangles for a purple fruit. And then as though he knew nothing, he acted with utmost innocence and gave a beautiful smiling face as if nothing at all had happened.

இல்லம் புகுந்து என் மகளைக் கூவிக் 

கையில்வளையைக் கழுற்றிக் கொண்டு 

கொள்ளையில் நின்றும்கொணர்ந்து விற்ற அங்கொருதிக்கு

 அவ்வளை கொடுத்துநல்லன நாவற் பழங்கள் கொண்டு 

நானல்லேன் என்றுசிரிகின்றானே

The rendering of the final set of verses by Krishnan Araiyar brought a smile in the faces of all the devotees present at the Sri Pandaram as they visualized the activities of their own children in their homes.

The devoted Krishnan Araiyar, whose very first presentation inside the Ranganathaswamy temple almost three decades ago, was the verses on Lord Krishna on the occasion of Krishna Jayanthi seemed a satisfied man at the end of 90 minute rendering.

The devotees stayed back for the next couple of hours to watch the Thirumanjanam at the Sri Jayanthi Mandapam. Lord Namperumal provided darshan to the devotees till 6pm on Monday before making his way back to his abode. 

Later in the evening, there was a Thirumanjanam (it was delayed by almost two hours!!!) for Lord Krishna at the Krishna Sannidhi inside the Nazhi Kettan Vaasal.

A day at the Sri Pandaram is enough for even die hard critics to appreciate the extent of restoration that this temple has seen this decade and is sure to set the devotional experience back in one's mind as this Monday showcased to the devotees who were present through the day witnessing the Sri Jayanthi Utsavam at the newly restored Sri Pandaram. 

Yadava Narayana Perumal Kizhvelur

It was at Kizhvelur that Lord Subramanya presented sacred cows to the Yadavas to whom Lord Vishnu provided darshan as Yadava Narayanan

Thiru Kalyanam is Celebrated in a grand manner on the Shravanam day in May every year

Located 1km South of the Nagapattinam-Tiruvarur Highway is the Yadava Narayana Perumal temple in Kizhvelur. This is the fifth among the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams around Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam Damodara Narayana Perumal Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar is a couple of kms from here (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/06/thiru-kannangudi.html).

Lord Subramanya undertook penance at the Anju Vettathu Amman temple, the Thevaram Sthalam a couple of hundred yards from the Yadava Narayana Perumal temple. To support his penance, Parasakthi is believed to have protected the place from all five sides. Lord Subramanya secured the spear at Sikkal just over 5kms from here and he completed the Samhara of the Asura at Tiruchendur. When he invoked the blessings of Brahmma seeking liberation from the dosham of killing, he was directed to go back to the same place where he undertook penance and present cows to the devotees.

Thus, Subramanya came back here and presented milk bearing cows to the Yadava devotees of Kizhvelur. When the delighted devotees began invoking the blessings of the Lord and presenting the milk, Lord Vishnu presented himself as Yadava Narayana and provided darshan to them.

The biggest festival takes place on the Shravanam day when Thiru Kalyanam is celebrated. The entire town congregates at the temple on this day to watch the celestial wedding. 

Puratasi Saturdays have also become a day of celebration in the recent past.

The temple is open between 8am and 12noon and 5pm and 830pm. Contact Suresh Bhattar @ 98427 55732.

The 2^nd among the Pancha Narayana Kshtrem, Anantha Narayana Perumal temple in Aabaranadhari is just 5kms East of here (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/08/anantha-narayana-perumal-aabaranadhari.html). 

Thiru Nellikaval Nellivananathar Temple

Praised by three Saint Poets, this historic temple built by Amala Kesa Chozhan is one of the five ‘Kka’ Sthalams

Sundarar refers to this temple alongside the temples of Kanjanur, Panaiyar and Nannilam 

One of the Five ‘Kka’ Kshetrams, Thiru Nellivananathar temple in Thiru Nellikaval is located 15kms from Tiruvarur off the Thiruthuraipoondi highway. The temple has been praised by Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar. 

Commitment of the Gurukal family

Dhandapani Gurukal has been performing for five decades at a salary of a few hundreds. His 82 year old father had performed service at the temple for over six decades at a meager salary. His grand father too had performed pooja for several decades in the early part of the 20th century, such has been the commitment of the family to keep the service going without much of a salary.

Chozha Period Construction
It is believed that Amala Kesa Chozhan built this temple. His son Uthama Chozhan invoked the blessings of Nellivananathar on the Pradosham day seeking a child. Answering his prayers, it is believed that Ambal herself presented before him as a 3 year old child whom Uthama Chozhan accepted as his own. After she grew into a beautiful young girl, she visited the Thyageswarar temple in Tiruvarur. Much to her delight, an invisible voice told her that the Lord himself would come to Thiru Nellikaval and marry her. Accordingly, he came here on the first Friday of Avani and married Mangalambal. This episode of the celestial wedding is enacted every year on the first Friday day of Avani.

Being a temple built by Amala Kesa Chozhan, this place is also referred to as Amala Kesa Puram.

Ancient Reference

In ancient times, this place was referred to as Panchakshara Moorthy Puram. Thirunathingudi, Thiru Keraveyil, Thiru Thengoor and Thiru Namasivaya Puram are the other four sacred Saivite temples in this region and these along with Thiru Nellikaval constitution the Panchakshara Moorthy Sthalam.

Praise by Saint Poets

Sundarar refers to Thiru Nellikaval as being South of Kanjanur and North of Panaiyur with Nannilam being in the middle.

The connection with Ramayana

A young Susanma, who later went on to become a Rishi, was introduced into wrong habits as a result of mixing with wrong friends. When his father once questioned his wrongful conduct, the young boy killed his father in anger. Struck with Brahmma Hathi Dosham, he went along with his mother to Tiruvarur.  There he was requested the learned rishis to direct him on the route to liberation from the Dosham.

The rishis of Tiruvarur,(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/12/thiruvarur-thyagaraja-temple.html)
who were performing a penance, narrated the story of how Kakasura, chased by the arrow of Lord Rama, came here seeking salvation. After having bath in the Theertham, he invoked the blessings of Lord Shiva and Ambal who directed him back to Lord Rama for liberation.

Being the place for liberation from Dosham, the rishis pointing to the crow’s story asked him to have bath in the sacred five Theerthams of Thiru Nellikaval. Upon reaching here, he had bath as directed and performed the Anga Pradakshinam at the temple. After presenting food to the cow, he invoked the blessings of the Lord and Ambal, upon which he was liberated from the dosham.

Gandharva’s arrogance and liberation from disease

Divyarupan, a Gandharva specialized in music, grew arrogant and presented in ‘abaswaram’. He incurred the wrath of Saptha Matha and was inflicted with a disease. He was directed to Thiru Nellikaval. Here after he had finished his bath in the sacred Brahmma Theertham, he was liberated from his curse when a spot of water from the wet hair of the wife of Susanma Rishi fell on him while she was in the process of drying her hair. 

A special feature of the temple is the five Theerthams. Opposite the Ambal Sannidhi is the Brahmma Theertham.

It is here that Sage Durvasa who is renowned for his instant anger undertook pooja and is said to have attained a softer form here.

Sun’s rays on the Lord

The Sun’s rays fall on the Lord in the evening between 5.30pm and 6pm between the 18^th and 24^th day of Maasi.

‘Kka Kshetrams’

The other four among the ‘Pancha Kka’ Kshetrams are Thiru Anaikka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/thiruvanaikaval-jambukeswarar.html), Thiru Kodikka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/11/thiru-kotteeswarar-temple-thiru.html), Thiru Kolakka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/03/osai-nayaki-thaala-pureeswarar-sirkazhi.html) and Thiru Kurukka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/09/thiru-kurukkai-verateswarar-temple_13.html).

Appar's praise

In his praise of the Lord of Thiru Nellikaval, Appar ends each of his verses as Nellikaavul Nilaayavaney. 

Festivals

Chitrai Brahmotsavam with Theerthavari on Chitrai day

Chitrai Theppotsavam

Maasi – Sun’s rays on the Lord

As Nellikai is the Sthala Vriksham, it is believed that those offering sincere prayers at this temple will be blessed with a healthy life.

The temple is open between 630am-1130am and 5pm-8pm. Contact: Dhandapani Gurukal @97861 93292.

How to reach

Buses every 15 minutes from Tiruvarur to Thiruthuraipoondi. Get down at Four (Cross) Road. From there, an auto to the temple will cost Rs. 80 (4kms). Contact Auto Ayyappan @ 96557 53604.

Anantha Narayana Perumal Aabaranadhari

The only temple where the Moolavar Lord sports ornaments from Head to Toe

The 21 Feet Lord is seen atop the 7 Hooded Serpent and with a beautiful smile

Inscriptions dating back to the 12^th Century refer to this location as Aabaranadhari Chaturvedi Mangalam 

Located 3 kms East of Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam is the Ananatha Narayana Perumal Temple in Abaranadhari where the Lord is seen in a sleeping posture sporting a beautiful smile. This is one of the five temples dedicated to Lord Narayana in the ‘Pancha Narayana’ Kshetram. Anantha Narayana Perumal is an Abhimana Lord for the Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam.

The 21 feet Anantha Narayana Perumal seen in a Sayana Kolam atop the seven hooded serpent is one of the longest among the Perumal temples. This is possibly the only Perumal temple where the Moolavar Lord in a sleeping posture is seen with ornaments from head to toe. As the Moolavar Lord sports ornaments across his body, he came to be referred to as ‘Aabarana’ Dhari, one who adorns Aabaranam.

Vedic Recital

Inscriptions inside the temple dating back to the period of Raja Raja Chozhan refer to this place as Aabaranadhari Chaturvedi Mangalam indicating that vedic recital was integral to this location. 

During the rule of Dippaya Deva Raya, a couple of centuries later, this place was referred to as Aabaranadhari Uthira Ananthapuram ‘Palli Konda’ Perumal temple, giving an indication about the physical features of the Lord and his posture.

Location of the temple

Also, as per the ancient inscription, the location of the Aabaranadhari temple was recorded as being South of Sikkal, home to the famous Murugan temple. 

Large Gifts to the temple

Inscriptions refer to the donation of several tracts of land towards the maintenance of the temple. As with the Damodara Narayana Perumal temple in Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam, despite the existence of several acres of land, income has not accrued to the temple from these lands for several years. And thus the salary of the priests have remained in three digits for decades and the other support personnel have long gone in search of greener pastures, leaving the single Bhattar to manage the entire activity.

The Moolavar Lord

Sri Devi Thayar and Brigu Rishi are seen invoking the Lord’s blessings near the Lord’s head while Bhoo Devi Thayar is seen pressing the feet of the Lord. Vyasa Rishi is also seen at the Lord’s feet. All the other deities except Garuda are also seen sporting ornaments.

The Ornaments

A unique feature of this temple is that the Moolavar Lord is seen with ornaments from head to toe. As one sets his eyes on the Lord from the top, one finds ornaments such as Dhandam, Dharanam, Shireshanam, and Ghatakam, Kanganam on his arm, Beautiful long ear rings, Vaira Jada Mudi, Kavacham across the chest, Uddiyanam on his hip and Yagnjopavitham across the body. Down to his legs, the Lord is seen sporting anklets. A ring is seen on each of the fingers of his hands and the toes of his legs.

Alankara Valli Thayar, who too is seen with a beautiful smile, is in a separate Sannidhi. 

Raja Gopuram destroyed by the Cyclone

There was a Raja Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance till the 1950s. This was destroyed in the devastating cyclone of 1952. A Samprokshanam was performed in 1957 and another one almost 50 years later in 2005. The authorities are planning to reconstruct the Raja Gopuram before the next Samprokshanam. 

Utsava Deity in Tiruvarur

As is the trend in so many of the remote temples administered by the HR & CE, the utsava idol has been moved to Tiruvarur for security reasons. And thus, the processional deity is seen only on a couple of occasions every year during the big utsavams in Maasi and Margazhi. In the centuries gone by, Utsavams were celebrated in a grand manner every month but a lot of this has come to pass.

Currently, a 4 day Pavitrotsavam, Thailakappu in Vaikasi, Thirumanjanam in Aani and Thayar Abhishekam in Aadi is performed.

Pancha Narayana Kshtrem

The other Narayana Temples in the region are Damodara Narayanan in Thiru Kannangudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/06/thiru-kannangudi.html), Deva Narayanan in Thevur, Yadava Narayanan in Kizhvelur and Varada Narayanan in Vadakalathur. Historically there was a Pancha Garuda Sevai at Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam with the Lords from the other four temples congregating and providing a Garuda Sevai darshan around the big Mada Streets of Thiru Kannangudi.

With the traditionalists moving away from this ancient and historical location, the utsavam had to be done away with. The locals are keen to revive the Pancha Garuda Sevai. Time will tell if this indeed can be revived. Mei Kavalar Krishnamurthy has been taking care of the temple for the last 15 years before which his father and grand father had been the Mek Kavalar of the temple.

The temple is open between 8am-12noon and 5pm-8pm. Contact: Mei Kavalar Krishnamurthy @ 99433 53410 /  Srinivasan Bhattar @ 63807 74784

How to reach

The temple is about 5kms South of Sikkal. An auto from Sikkal bus stop will cost Rs. 100. Contact auto @ 97898 76911. Buses ply once 3 hours on the Sikkal- Aabarandhari route.

When here also visit Damodara Narayana Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannangudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/11/thiru-kannangudi-dilapidated-state.html) and Soundararaja Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Nagai (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/04/thiru-nagai-divya-desam-bhattars.html).

Kodaganallur Kailasanathar temple

The second among the Nava Kailayam temples, the Kailasanathar Temple in Kodaganallur has survived thanks to the initiative from a devoted Gurukal who comes every morning from Tirunelveli

Special Pooja on Tuesdays to liberate one from Sarpa Dosham

Located 10kms West of Tirunelveli off the Mukoodal Highway is the Kailasanathar Temple in Kodaganallur, third in the Nava Kailasam temples.  It was here that Romasa Rishi found a Shiva Lingam after the Lotus let afloat in Papanasam by Sage Agastya came to a halt on the Northern Banks of Tamaraibarani.

Belief is that no one dies of snake bite here as Kargodaga the snake attained Moksham at Kodaganallur.

Ambal who is seen seated on a snake is referred to as ‘Sarpayaatchi’ Anandha Gowri Ambal. On Tuesdays, Thuvaram Paruppu rice is presented to liberate one from Sarpa Dosham. 

The current archakar has been here at the temple from his childhood. He current receives Rs. 150 as salary every month. His father had performed service for 85 years at this temple. 

While Papanasam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/papanasam-nava-kailayam.html) the first among the Nava Kailasam temples receives an annual income of over Rs. 1crore, a temple under its control and its priest have been ignored for far too long.

Renovation plans are afoot at the temple and they are targeting to conduct the Kumbabhishekam in 2019.

Auto to reach the temple from the Tirunelveli-Mukoodal Highway: 93450 27779.

The temple is open between 7am -1030am and from 4pm to 6pm. Contact: Suresh Gurukal @ 96597 28621.

The Amma Nathar temple in Cheran Maha Devi, the 2nd among the Nava Kailasam temples is 2kms West of Kodaganallur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/cheran-maha-devi-amma-nathar-koil.html).

GVG owners Udumalpet Temple

The Owners of the Paper and Textile firm (now GVG) that once supported cricket in a big way are now embarking on a joint community initiative to construct the Biggest Perumal Temple in the Udumalpet region

With a Three Tier Raja Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance, the Alarmel Mangai - Venkatesa Perumal temple will also house Sannidhis for Dhanvantri and Hayagriva

The Temple is looking for full time Priests and Madapalli personnel 

Having supported cricket and cricketers in a big way in the 1970s and 80s (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/06/svpb-udumalpet-soundararajan.html ), the owners of erstwhile SVPB (Sri Venkatesa Paper Boards), now GVG Group of Companies are building the biggest Perumal Temple in the Udumalpet region along with Shanmughapriya Textiles, Udumalpet and with support from the larger public. The new Venkatesa Perumal temple, with a Three Tier Raja Gopuram, will come on a one acre area on the Southern Outskirts of Udumalpet off the Thali Road in Pallapalayam with the beautiful Munnar hills in the backdrop.

While the cricket development was anchored by M Soundararajan, his brothers Amarnath and Veluswamy and their cousin Ravindran are anchoring the construction of the temple along with Trustee Ramakrishnan, a well known enterpreneur and philanthropist. The temple is being built at a cost of  Rs. 10 crores.

The best of ancient stones have been sourced for the Perumal Sannidhi from Chittoor and for the rest of the Sannidhis from Vazhapadi. Over 50 experienced temple architecture related persons led by Sthapathy Ramesh and Bhaskar, who recently undertook the construction of the Abirami Amman temple in Dindigul, are working tirelessly in an effort to complete the first phase of construction by the middle of next year. 

The temple has the blessings of Srivilliputhur Jeeyar and has been endorsed by AMR and  Upanyasakars Ananthapadmanabhachari and Velukkudi Krishnan, who have both visited the temple. Over the last decade, Velukkudi Krishnan has been presenting an annual Upanyasam in Udumalpet.

Dhanvantri, Hayagriva Sannidhis

Venkatesa Perumal will be flanked on his right in a separate sannidhi by Alarmel Mangai Thayar and on his left in a separate sannidhi by Andal.  There will also be separate sannidhis for the God of Health Dhanvantri, the God of Learning Hayagriva, Lakshmi Narasimhar and Chakrathazhvaar, Vishwaksenar and Hanuman, with devotees taking up the financial costs of each of these sannidhis.

Amarnath who is personally overseeing the construction says that in the 1960s and 70s, he and his brothers felt that cricketers in the districts did not receive enough opportunities to showcase their talent and that was the reason for their family to support the cricketing fraternity in the Udumalpet region. And the family went the full distance providing a platform for young cricketers from Udumalpet to play alongside and against the best in the country. Similarly, the family is on its way to build the biggest temple “We felt that the region did not have a big Perumal Temple with a Sannidhi for all the Lords.  This prompted us to look for a large tract of land that would have enough space to house all the Sannidhis.”

GVG Owner Amarnath flanked by former cricketers S Sukumar and NP Madhavan

On the extreme right is Trustee Ramakrishnan

The Samprokshanam is slated for next Vaikasi.

The temple is also looking for full time priests and person for the Madapalli once the construction is complete. Those interested to participate and support the construction of the temple in any form may contact Trustee Ramakrishnan 98422 27606.