Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram

Vaishnavite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Venkatachalapathi, facing east with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi

Goddess

Alarmel Mangai and Padmavathy Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Anjaneya, Vishwaksenar, 12 Azhwars, Ramanujar

Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram is a large east-facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. A mandapam outside in the outer Prakaram precedes the Rajagopuram. The walls and structures in this prakaram were demolished by Chanda Sahib on the orders of the Nawab of Arcot and the stones were used to build the fort at Palayamkottai. Crossing the Rajagopuram the next Prakaram is entered through the large Ranga Mantapam with excellently carved pillars. On the pillars are some of the world-famous carvings of Rathi, Arjuna, Karna, Gypsy woman kidnapping a young prince and others. The pillars also have various other beautiful carvings in them including one with carved idols on all four sides, the images being interconnected with each other. The sculptures here give a metallic sound when tapped giving us an idea of the artistic abilities of the sculptors of those days. Crossing this Mantapam the innermost prakaram is entered through a doorway. This third Prakaram houses the Ardha Mantapam and the Sanctum Sanctorum of the main deity with two large Dwarapalakas at the entrance. This prakaram is covered on all sides and the top. The main deity is a beautiful 4 feet tall idol adorned with jewels with his consorts standing in the sides. There are many Mandapams here in Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram including Pandal Mandapam, Vahana Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Nanguneri Jeeyar Mandapam, Vasanta Mandapam and, Unjal Mandapam. A temple tank is present east of the temple outside the village.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai (Calophyllum inophyllum)

History

Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram was built in the 16th Century CE by Krishnappa Naicker who ruled from Madurai. Vijayanagar Kings also developed the temple, its Mantapams along with the carvings. One inscription and five copper plates from the 16th century have been found in this temple which mentions various grants. Krishnappa Naicker built the precincts around the temple and the temple tower. He also laid four streets around for the smooth passage of the temple car. The village was originally named Thiruvenkatapuram and got changed to Krishnapuram during his rule. Krishnappa Naicker’s name is kept for the nearby Krishneswara Temple also. Deivachillayar (Mayilerum Perumal), the son-in-law of the minister of Viswanatha in Krishnappa Naicker’s court, played a key role in the construction of the temple. A detailed account of his work for the temple is found in ‘Deivachillayar vidu thoothu’ by Kumaraswamy Avadaniyar and also in the History of Tinnelvelly by Caldwell. The copper plates belonging to the period of Sadasiva Raya of Vijayanagara Empire indicate grants to light the light lamps perpetually and creating gardens. Six villages, Ariyakulam, Kodikulam, Kuthukaval, Puthaneri, Pottukalam, Sriramakulam, and Alikudi were donated to the temple for financial support in the performance of daily poojas. An Agraharam with housing for 108 Brahmin families well-versed in Vedas and agamas was established. Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram was originally administered as a sub-temple of Ramaswamy Temple of Tirunelveli, came under the administration of Nelliappar Temple from 1973, and is presently under the control of Tiruchendur Devasthanam since 1986.

Legend

Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram is considered equal to Tirupati and people who are unable to go there perform their pilgrimage and rituals at this temple.

Directions

Venkatachalapathi Krishnapuram is 10 kilometers southeast of Tirunelveli in the Tiruchendur Road. An arch in the highway guides to the temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest is Tirunelveli.

Vaishnavite Temples

Venkatachalapathi, Krishnapuram