The visit to this Periyavapuram, at Nelvoypalayam, was part of “Shiva
Temples and Kotravai/ Durgai Temples Visit” in Chengalpattu District on 3rd May
2026. Thanks to Mr Subramanian Viswanathan, a retired official
from MAPS, DAE and Mr Subramanian of DAE, Kalpakkam,
for taking me to these temples.
Periyapuram: Maha Periyava Manimandapam, Vedavyasar
Gurupeedam and Sri Naga Bala Thiripura Sundari /Bala Nagathamman Temple
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with a Maha Periyava
manimandapam. Dwarapalakis, Bala Ganapathy, and Bala Murugan are on either side of the
ardha mandapam. Maha Periyava and Bala Thiripura Sundari are on either side of
the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, a stucco image of Ambal is in a
sitting posture, similar to Samayapuram. A head-size Ambal in stone is in the
sanctum sanctorum. Sri Chakram and Meru are in front of the stone Ambal. (All the
vigrahas have travelled about 1.5 lakhs km, in a span of 6.5 years).
In Periyava Manimandapam, Bala Thiripura Sundari is
in a sitting posture like a Queen with Abhaya Varada hastam. Below her are the
images of Adi Sankarar and Maha Periyava. A Maha Periyava’s stone idol is also
in the Manimandapam with a metal idol of Rishabam. Abhishekam aradhana is performed only to a stone idol. Kalpathi Saiddhar’s Jeeva samadhi with pada is in
front of the Manimandapam.
In the Mukha Mandapam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli
Devasena Subramaniar (brought from Mumbai, which couldn’t be installed in
Mumbai), Ayyappan, and Ramanujar with Raghavendra.
In the praharam, a 50-year-old Kasi Vishwanathar, Komata
adhistanam with Komata with her calf statue. (Maha Periyava’s image and
Kamakshi are on both sides of the Komata. Vallaba Ganapathi, Siddhi Ganapathy, and Nagars with Ambal are also on the platform. Garudan, Anjaneyar, Kuberan in the
Kubera direction, Rahu and Ketu, 18 am padi Karuppa Swamy, and Ko sala.
In Vedavyasar Gurupeedam, measuring 10 ft. x 10 ft.
(originally planned for Ambal sannidhi). Raghavendra and Shirdi Saibaba’s
images are at the entrance of Guru Peedam. Inside the Guru Peedam, the moolavar is
Saibaba. The vimanam is in the form of
Maha Meru. 11 Gurumars’ images are in the 1st level. Ashta Lakshmis
and Nalvars are in the 2nd level. Thayar & Thirumal avatras are
in the 3rd level. Dasavar is on the 4th level. Bala
Thiripura Sundari is at the top. Kirubananda Variyar, Ramanar, and Vallalar are
also on the Meru vimanam. 27 Nakshatras,
12 Rasis, 9 Grahas/ planets, Mummoortis, Garudan, Anjaneyar and Bairavar are on
golden plates in the form of a “pa” shape. Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal
(who hailed from North India), Ayodhi Ramar, Pancha Mukha Anjaneyar, and Karai Siddhar
are also around the sanctum sanctorum.
Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal
ARCHITECTURE OF BALA NAGATHAMMAN TEMPLE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum,
antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The whole temple was
constructed with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on a
upanam and a pada abndha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam and
pattikai. The bhitti starts with pattikai, and the pilasters are of Brahmakantha
pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. The
vimanam over the prastaram is with two talas, greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco
images of Ambal’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.
HISTORY
The Periyavapuram spreads over 10 grounds of land, a
part of Nelvoy Palayam village in Chengalpattu. This was founded by Mr
Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan, who worked with CBI and retired in June 2020, an
ardent devotee of Maha Periyava. The Periyavapuram consists of Sri Kalpathi
Siddhar Madam, Jeeva Samadhi: Pithrus sthalam, Sri Maha Periyava Manimandapam, and
Sri Vedavyasar Guru’s peedam.
Mr Radhakrishnan bought a 10-acre plot of land and laid
the foundation stone in 2018, starting the construction of a temple with Maha
Periyava Mani Mandapam. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 04th
May, 2023.
In 2021, towards the end of the Tamil month Aadi,
Kodi Thatha informed his divine wish of settling at the temple, constructed by Mr
Radhakrishnan, specifically on August 22, 2021 (Avani Avittam), along with Shirdi
Sai Baba in the upcoming temple at Periyavapuram.
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar was brought from
Mumbai, where it couldn’t be installed.
Jeeva Samadhis of Muthappan & Thiruvappan
Jeeva Samadhi. The Kerala Kannur district is also in this place. The
Vigrahas are worshipped with abhishekam and aradhana.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Abhishekam
and aradhana are performed to Maha Periyava, the stone vigraha kept in the Mani
Mandapam, especially on Anusham nakshatra day. During worship at the sanctum
sanctorum, a lot of rituals are carried out for the devotees, like placing peacock feathers, Periya Sat Manapalaka, Periya paduka, Black Karungali with
Balathiripurasundari & snake hood and white Karungali thandas. It is
believed that the devotees will be relieved from the bad karma of their
ancestors.
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are done on Anusham nakshatra day, and pradosham is also conducted.
Special poojas are done for childless couples for a child boon to “Alilai Krishnan”.
In continuation, the Rishabam in front of Periyava will be turned to the
opposite direction when a phone call is received before taking labour ward. It
is said that most of the cases will be natural delivery, and the Rishabam will
be turned back after delivery of the child.
The
Ayyappa devotees perform poojas before going to Sabari Mala.
Upanayanam and marriages are also conducted in front of Maha Periyava Manimandapam.
PERIYAVAPURAM
TIMINGS
Periyapuram
will be kept open for darshan from 07.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Mr
Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan may be contacted on his mobile numbers +919444959379 and
+9176289379 for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
Periyavapuram is 8 km from Koovathur, on ECR Road after Kalpakkam, 13 km from Cheyyur,
19.5 km from Kalpakkam, 24 km from Madurantakam, and 32 km from Madurantakam.
The
nearest Railway Station is Madurantakam.
