Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam

Vaishnavite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Srinivasa Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Padmavathi Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garudan, Acharyas, Lakshmi Narayana with Sree Devi and Bhoodevi

Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam is a large east-facing temple with a huge 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The street leading down to the temple is an old Agraharam with many traditional houses occupied by the hereditary custodians, priests, and their families. The Sanctum Sanctorum is huge and is situated in a large single Prakaram. The main deity is about 4.5 feet tall. The temple has a temple car. The village is known for its Sanskrit scholars and Vedic Pandits.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam is an ancient temple as is evident from the stone inscriptions found around the Sanctum Sanctorum. The hereditary custodians informed us that it goes back to the Chola Period. We learned from them that the temple was further developed by Srinivasacharyar and subsequently by his Son Kotikanyadanam Lakshmikumara Tathacharya, the royal preceptor of the Vijayanagar Emperor Venkata Raya II (1586–1614 CE). He was appointed as the Manager of all the Divya Desam Temples in the Vijayanagar Empire. The Ornamental Carvings on the Sanctum Sanctorum is typical of the Vijayanagar Period. Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam is being managed by generations of Neelamegathathachariyars. The first Neelamegathathachariyar was the first son of Kotikanyadanam Lakshmikumara Tathacharya. The original ancient idol of Adikesava Perumal was lost during Muslim onslaughts. It was replaced with Lakshminarayanar with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. In 1957 in a controversial situation, Srinivasa Perumal was installed and the Idol of Lakshminarayana was moved to another spot inside. At present both idols are present.

Legend

A king who was troubled because of a lack of progeny was further anguished since his lands were undergoing a severe drought. He was advised by his religious counselor to undertake penance for a Mandala (48 days) to get relief from his state. Nothing happened till the 48th day. On the last night, the skies opened up and flooded the lands with water. He was further blessed with a child. In his happiness, he decided to donate 3 villages to the counselor and his descendants – Siru Navalpakkam, Navalpakkam, and Katteri.

Directions

Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam is about 10 kilometers south of Vandavasi off the road going to Thellar. At about 7.5 kilometers from Vandavasi take a left to reach Srinivasa Perumal Navalpakkam. The large temple tower is visible from a distance.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Vandavasi.

Vaishnavite Temples

Srinivasa Perumal, Navalpakkam