Venkatachalapathy Temple, Trivandrum
Encyclopedia
Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a Hindu
temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi. The temple was built in 1898. The pooja's in kerala temples are based on the Namboodiri sambradayam, instead this is the only temple in Kerala
dedicated to Vaishanavite Vadakalai Sambradayam.
The idol was installed by Sree Ranganatha Satagopa Yateendra Mahadesikar, 40th Azhkiya Singar according to the 'Paadmasamhitai' (One among the three Samhitais) of the 'Paancharathra Agamanam'. As per the instructions of the Jeer, the eldest son in Ranga Iyengar's family has been the main priest of the temple and has also in charge of its administration for the last three generations. The daily rituals in the temple are being carried out according to the Vadakalai System.
r(Santhana Gopalan), Peria Thiruvadi, Garuda
r.; in this temple.
The temple also has an installation of the idol of Kulasekhara alwar, who ruled over this land many centuries ago. As a mark of respect to the king who was a devont Vaishnavite, a sannidhi has been constructed where along with the idol of Kulasekhara Alwar the idols of Nammalwar,
Thirumangai alwar, Bashyakarar(Ramanuja
r). Are also consecrated Vishwarksenar(is said to be the escort of Sree Venkitachalapathy).
, Deepavali, Vishu
& Onam
temple are decorated with lights and flowers.
Desikar was born under the constellation of Sravana in the month of Purattasi of Vibhava year as per the Tamil Almanac.
[September - October 1269 AD]. Every year in the month of Purattasi Brahmotsavam conducted here. The festival starts from 10 days before the Thiruvonam day(Desikar Thirunakshatram). In these days, the Special Abhishekams also done for All Moolavar & Utsavar deities. And in the Evening Vedam and Divya Prabhanda Parayanam conducteed here. On these days Perumal goes through the Maada Veethi (this ritual is called as the “perumal purapadu”). The festival ends with Theertha Vaari for Venkatachalapathy Perumal & Vedanta Desikar.
An attractive feature of the festival is the Garuda Vahanam, where the main deity placed a top the idol of Garuda is taken out in procession on a richly decorated palanquin that resembles the one on which Lord Vishnu is taken out during the Theerthavari at the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The Garuda Vahanam is taken out on all the Saturdays of the Purattasi month.
In Maargazhi, the important festival of this month is the recital of Thirupavai. The poems were composed by “Andal” an important devotee of Lord Perumal. Next to this comes the vaikunda ekadasi festival in which perumal use to be seen in Sayana alangaram (Like in Thiru parkadal)
(Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Ellodarai (Sesame Rice), Kheer
, Amrutha Kalasam and Chakkarai Sundal.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The shrine is currently run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore. The temple is one of 108 Divya Desams – principal centres of worship of the deity in Vaishnavism...
. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi. The temple was built in 1898. The pooja's in kerala temples are based on the Namboodiri sambradayam, instead this is the only temple in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
dedicated to Vaishanavite Vadakalai Sambradayam.
History
The deity of this temple is Sri Venkatachalapathy. It is said that one Ranga Iyengar of Veeravanallur saw the idol in a pond near his house around 100 years ago.The idol was installed by Sree Ranganatha Satagopa Yateendra Mahadesikar, 40th Azhkiya Singar according to the 'Paadmasamhitai' (One among the three Samhitais) of the 'Paancharathra Agamanam'. As per the instructions of the Jeer, the eldest son in Ranga Iyengar's family has been the main priest of the temple and has also in charge of its administration for the last three generations. The daily rituals in the temple are being carried out according to the Vadakalai System.
Vimanam
Though the spiritual origin of the temple can be traced to Tamil Nadu, the temple does not have a 'Gopuram'. However the temple cannot also be said to be according to the Kerala style as the Sreekovil is plain construction, devoid of the intricate carvings so common in Kerala temples. The temple had a terrace(another feature of the Tamil style).Sannidhi
The temple's main deity in the Garba Graha is SriVenkatachalapathyPerumal. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of Alamelu Mangai Thayar and Padmasini Thayar. There are also shrines for the Hindu deities Navaneetha KrishnaKrishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
r(Santhana Gopalan), Peria Thiruvadi, Garuda
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
r.; in this temple.
The temple also has an installation of the idol of Kulasekhara alwar, who ruled over this land many centuries ago. As a mark of respect to the king who was a devont Vaishnavite, a sannidhi has been constructed where along with the idol of Kulasekhara Alwar the idols of Nammalwar,
Thirumangai alwar, Bashyakarar(Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
r). Are also consecrated Vishwarksenar(is said to be the escort of Sree Venkitachalapathy).
Darshan, Sevas and festivals
Most of the Vaishnava festivals including Vaikunta Ekadasi, Thiru Aadi pooram and Aadi Swathi, Janmashtami, Alwar Thirunakshtram are celebrated. During other national and religious festivals PongalPongal
Thai Ponggal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry and in Sri Lanka. Pongal coincides with the festival Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India. Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over" or "spill over". The boiling...
, Deepavali, Vishu
Vishu
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, usually on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. This occasion signifies the Sun's transit into the Mesha Raasi , according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox...
& Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
temple are decorated with lights and flowers.
Desikar was born under the constellation of Sravana in the month of Purattasi of Vibhava year as per the Tamil Almanac.
[September - October 1269 AD]. Every year in the month of Purattasi Brahmotsavam conducted here. The festival starts from 10 days before the Thiruvonam day(Desikar Thirunakshatram). In these days, the Special Abhishekams also done for All Moolavar & Utsavar deities. And in the Evening Vedam and Divya Prabhanda Parayanam conducteed here. On these days Perumal goes through the Maada Veethi (this ritual is called as the “perumal purapadu”). The festival ends with Theertha Vaari for Venkatachalapathy Perumal & Vedanta Desikar.
An attractive feature of the festival is the Garuda Vahanam, where the main deity placed a top the idol of Garuda is taken out in procession on a richly decorated palanquin that resembles the one on which Lord Vishnu is taken out during the Theerthavari at the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The Garuda Vahanam is taken out on all the Saturdays of the Purattasi month.
In Maargazhi, the important festival of this month is the recital of Thirupavai. The poems were composed by “Andal” an important devotee of Lord Perumal. Next to this comes the vaikunda ekadasi festival in which perumal use to be seen in Sayana alangaram (Like in Thiru parkadal)
Prasadams
Offerings made to the deity include PuliyogarePuliyogare
Puliyogare is a South Indian rice preparation usually eaten as a snack. Puliyogare is also known as huḷianna in some parts of Karnataka, puḷihora in Andhra Pradesh, Puliyodarai,Puliyorai in Tamil and tamarind rice in English.It is traditionally made using steamed or boiled rice mixed with...
(Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Ellodarai (Sesame Rice), Kheer
Kheer
Kheer also known as Payasam or Payesh is a rice pudding, which is a traditional South Asian sweet dish...
, Amrutha Kalasam and Chakkarai Sundal.