Monday 9 January 2023

Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple / Krishnan Temple / ஸ்ரீ வேணுகோபால கிருஷ்ண சுவாமி கோயில், Coral Merchant Street, Muthialpet, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This series of posts consists of temples  contains 18th to 20th Century inscription recorded in “Chennai Ma Nagara Kalvettukkal -  சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள்”, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. This is one of the Maha Vishnu as Venugopala  Krishna Swamy Temples in Park Town and George Town areas. This temple is popularly known as Krishnar Temple.


Moolavar  : Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy
Consorts  : Sri Rukmini and Bhama

Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Deepa Sthambam, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Venugopala  Krishna Swamy is in Standing posture with leg crossed and playing a flute. Rukmini and Bhama are on both sides. Utsava murtis are in front of moolavar.

In praharam Sudharsana with Narasimhar on the back side, Thayar Rukmini, Srinivasa Perumal, Andal, Ramar, Hanuman, Nagars, Thulasi madam,  Vahana Mandapam and 16 pillar mandapam. Andal sannidhi has the paramapatha vassal. Stucco image of Andal and his father and one of the 12 Alwars and Maha Vishnu are on the top of the Andal temple mandapam.  
 
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a adhistanam with out kumudam. The sanctum sanctorum from adhistanam to prastaram was constructed with stone. A 3 tier stucco Dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Stucco images of Mahavishnu’s various avatars are on the Vimanam. No pilasters are shown in the bhitti. The Kostas are without images.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was told that the temple is more than 200 years old and there is no inscription to prove its antiquity.

The 16 pillar mandapam was built by Mangadu Venkatachala Chettiar’s son M. Ellappa Chettiar in the year 1926.

Temple office building was constructed by P B Anandhachariyar. The construction of Rajagopuram and jeernodhara maha samprokshanam of Vimanam and Rukmini Thayar mandapam was conducted during 1965 – 67, by the Thirupani Committee ( Registered in 1964 ).

Dwajasthambam was installed and maha samprokshanam was conducted on 10th February 2004.

27th, Aippasi, Akshaya year ( 1985 - 86 ), Sudarsana Narasimhar sannidhi, maha samprokshanam was conducted. For Nidhya poojas Rs 10000 was deposited under registration 1439, by P G Manicka Chettiar, the founder of Ramajam Trust. He entrusted his two sons as managing trustees Jagathjothy and Lakshmi Narasimhan to take of the endowment. The interest earned from the deposit has to be utilized for this nidhya pooja.


16 pillar mandapam construction inscription

LEGENDS
As per the legend Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva. The astrologers predicted that the 8th child will kill Kamsa / Kamsa, the brother of Devaki.  So Kansa killed all the 7 children and Maha Vishnu took Krishna avatar and born as 8th Child. Vasudeva took Krishna mystically to Nandaraja and Yasoda and exchanged babies. The 8th child of Devaki was brought up as Krishna, by Yashoda. During his young days he takes care of the cattle and used to play flute during rearing of the cattle. His posture is depicted to Moolavar of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular 3 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Rama Navami, Thirukalyanam, Purattasi Saturdays and all important days.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
The temple is on the Coral Merchants street  also called as Pavalakara Theru, in Tamil.
The temple is about 800 meters from Mannady Metro station, 1.9 KM from Beach Railway Station and 3.6 KM from Chennai Central station.
Nearest Railway Station is Mannady Metro station.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Temple tank


Srinivasa Perumal




--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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