This
series of posts consists of temples containing 18th to 20th Century inscriptions 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
Krishna Temple.
Moolavar : Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy
Consorts : Sri Rukmini and Bhama
Some
of the salient features of this temple are...
The
temple faces 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 legs 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 an adhistanam without 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.
The 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 Nithya 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 would kill Kamsa / Kamsa, the brother of
Devaki. So Kansa killed all 7
children and Maha Vishnu took Krishna's
avatar and was born as the 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 took care of the cattle
and used to play flute during the rearing of the cattle. His posture is depicted in the 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 open 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 Coral Merchants Street also called 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
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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