Friday, 12 July 2024

Arulmigu Sri Venkatachalapathi Temple / வெங்கடாசலபதி கோயில் கிருஷ்ணாபுரம் / Krishnapuram, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Ventachalapathy temple at Krishnapuram is on the way to Thiruchendur from Tirunelveli. This place is named after Krishnappa Nayaka, one of the Vijayanagara Nayaka King who constructed this Temple. This temple is famous for the beautiful pillar sculptures. Tamil Nadu Government had made improvements in this temple on tourist point of view. 



Moolavar   : Sri Venkatachalapathy
Thayar      : Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar, Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a mandapam. Stucco image of Sri Venkatachalapathy is on the top of the mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of 4 tiers. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are in front of Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Moolavar is with Sri Devi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar.

In praharam Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar, Varamangai Thayar ( Padmavathy Thayar ), Viswaksenar, Alwars, Andal and Nagars. Thayars are in separate temple like sannidhis in sitting postures with abhaya varada hastam.
 


ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam maha mandapam, Vasantha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. Brahmakantha pilasters are in the Bhitti with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, Vettu pothyal. Floral designs are in the deva koshtam. The mahara thoranas has the bas reliefs of Maha Vishnu’s various forms like Yoga Narasimhar, Narayanar, etc,.  The prastaram consists of valapi kapotam with nasi kudus. A one tala bricks vesara vimanam is on the bhumidesam. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in the tala and greeva kostams. The Vimanam is called as Mayakooda Vimanam.



The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers, built stone up to prastaram. The kalkaram is in two levels with sculptures of Maha Vishnu’s various forms. There is no images in talas.  

Both Thayar Sannidhis are like separate temples with sanctum sanctorum, Vimanam, ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam.

In Ranganatha mandapam ( Dwajasthamba Mandapam ) pillars has the beautiful sculptures of குறவன் ராஜகுமாரியைக் கடத்துதல், கொடைவள்ளல் கர்ணன், அர்ஜுனர் தவம், குறத்தி ராஜகுமாரனைக் கடத்துதல் & நடோடி நடன மங்கை.











The mandapam before the ardha mandapam pillars has the beautiful sculptures of of Rathi, Manmathan, Warrior, Purusha mrugam fights with Beema, Annamachariayar, Agora Veerabhadra, etc,. The ceiling beams has the bas reliefs / images of Maha Vishnu’s various temples with various postures.






Rathi and Manmathan
Agora Veerabhadra
Purusha mrugam fights with Beema
Purusha mrugam fights with Beema
Purusha mrugam fights with Beema
Purusha mrugam fights with Beema
 Thumburu
Annamachariayar




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The present temple was reconstructed during Madurai Nayakas, Krishnappa Nayaka (1564- 72 CE ) son of Viswanatha Nayaka, who was the founder of Madurai Nayakas and this place is being called in the name of Krishnappa Nayaka. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Krishnapuram and Maha Vishnu is called as Thiruvenkatanatha Thevar.

The Vijayanagara King Srirangathevar Maharayar 1578 – 1586 CE inscription records that Veerappa Nayaka, gave gift to Thiruvenkatanathar, in the name of his father Krishnappa Nayakar.

Veera Sri Sathasivatheva maharayar ( 1485 – 1563 CE ) period inscription records the gift of Ariyakulam, Kodikkulam, Bhudhaneri, and some Villages to this temple by Krishnappa nayaka.

As per a copper plate inscriptions, 1567 CE, as requested by Krishnappa Nayaka, Sathasivatheva maharayar had given some gift to this temple.  

The temple was with three praharas. This temple also suffered during Muslims invasion. As per the order of Arcot Nawabs, the stones of the destroyed praharam was used for construction of Palayamkottai fort.

Ref :
1. நெல்லை கட்டபொம்மன் மாவட்டம் கையேடு, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
2. As a part to attract tourists, many works are carried out at a cost of 42.40 lakhs on 24th July 2010, by the Tamil Nadu Government’s HR & CE Department.




LEGENDS
It is believed that this Venkatachalapathy temple is equivalent to Tirupati, those who cannot travel to Tirupati can offer at this temple also.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas as per vaikhanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi,


TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +91 7947431306 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
This temple is 15 KM from Tirunelveli Junction, 46 KM from Thiruchendur and 67 KM from Tenkasi.
Nearest railway Station is Tirunelveli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE   :  CLICK HERE






--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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