Main god :
Sri Venkatesa Perumal
Deities : Sri Devi and Bhudevi
Location :
Arulmigu Venkatesa Perumal Temple
Mondipalayam, Alathur (post),
Cheyur(via),
Avinashi (TK),
Tiruppur district,
Pin code no: 641655.
Festivals :
PURATTASI FESTIVAL
This festival is celebrated with grandeur in the tamil month of Purattasi (during September/October months) for 6 consecutive Saturdays. People converge at the temple from various places across India and even overseas. During these days the temple presents a sea of humanity immersed in bhakthi for the Lord. These Saturdays at the temple begin as early as 4.00 AM with an “Abhishekam” or “Thirumanjanam” aradhanai for the Lord. The Maha Deeparadhanai is performed at noon. In the evening the Lord is taken along with His consorts “Sridevi” and “Bhudevi” on a majestic “Garuda vahanam” around the 4 streets of the temple in a tastefully decorated Pushpaka Pallaku. The unique feature of this is the bhaktas fulfilling their vows by carrying Rama panam (Arrow shape) in “meravanai”. For generations people have been following this custom where they remit money in the name of their various family members and receive this “meravanai”. They accompany the palanquin carrying this. On these days a special Hundi is placed here. It is believed that devotees who wish to make their offerings to Tirupathi Balaji but who are unable visit Tirupathi Tirumala may place their offerings in this Hundi to receive His blessings. The entire day is very busy with special programs. To facilate the tranportation for piligrims, several special buses ply from various points in and around Coimbatore, Tirupur, Sathyamangalam and near by places on these days.
Temple Chariot festival
This festival commences in the tamil month of “THAI” and the festival is held for 11 days. The temple chariot is taken around the four streets of the temple on the day of the “Punarpoosam” (punarvasa) star. Other days of the festival, in the evenings, the Lord along with the consorts is taken around the four streets of the temple on various vahanams (vehicles) such as “Anna Vahanam”(swan), “simha Vahanam” (Lion), “Hanumanatha Vahanam” (Hanuman), “Garuda Vahanam” (king of birds), “Pushpaka Vahanam”, “Yanai Vahanam” (elephant), “Kudirai Vahanam” (horse), “sesha Vahanam”, (Adhishesha-Lord’s serpent). Thirukalyana Uthsavam is performed on the day before the car festival and “Theppothsavam” (Pushkarni or temple tank float) is performed on the day after the car festival. The temple wears a very festive look and thousands of devotees shouting “Govinda”, “Govinda”, throng the temple to participate in this unique festival.
Six Week Purattasi Festival Details:
- 1st Saturday Aavani 29 14-09-2013
- 2nd Saturday Purattasi 05 21-09-2013
- 3nd Saturday Purattasi 12 28-09-2013
- 4th Saturday Purattasi 19 05-10-2013
- 5th Saturday Purattasi 26 12-10-2013
- 6th Saturday Aipasi 02 19-10-2013
Program on every Saturday in Purattasi Festival :
- Maha Abishekam, Thirumanchanam : 4.30am.
- Maha Deeparadhanai : 12.00Noon.
- Meravanai Puspa Pallakku Garudavahanam : 7.30pm.
Workship timing :
THIRUKALYANAM
Performing Thirukalyana Utsavam to the Lord in this temple is considered very special. It is held at the same time (10.30am to 12.00pm) as at Tirumala Tirupathi temple. The uniqueness is that, it is performed as a prayer (Venduthal) by the devotees throughtout the year. The ceremony is held amidst recitation of Vedic mantras. It is believed that Performing Kalyana Utsavam to the Lord here will bring immense peace and prosperity to the family of the devotees. A special mandapam has been constructed to perform the ritual, which can be booked through the temple office. It costs Rs.7500 for the ritual.
SUDARSHANA HOMAM
Performing Sudarshana Homam grants the performer health, wealth and prosperity. The performer seeks spiritual benefits, while performing the Homam as the Sudharshana has the attribute of “Papa Nashanam”, i.e.,the destruction of sins. This is arguably the first step to be adopted in the realization of God (Lord Narayana). The Sudarshana Chakram grants Moksham to anyone who surrenders to it.
The temple has a special “yaaga Salai” which can be utilized to perform the Homam for desired individuals, who can contact the temple office. Other than that,devotees may register to perform Laksmi Narasimhar Homam and Lakhsmi Hyagreevar Homam.
SATHYANARAYANA POOJA
On an occasion, Naradar went to Lord Sriman Narayanan to discuss the miseries in the world. Sri Satyanarayan informed Naradar that there is a fast, that can be performed by anyone. The fast would result in the fulfillment of his desires and also the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Naradar informed about this fast to a poor, old and ailing lumberjack. Following Naradar’s words, the lumberjack had all his wishes fulfilled, became prosperous, and ultimately attained salvation by following the Sri Satyanarayan fast and pooja.
The Satyanarayan fast is very effective in Kaliyuga and that whosoever read or heard this story would be rid of all sorrows and difficulties. In addition,it is widely said that there is a strong belief that the blessings obtained through the pooja would result with children for issuless couples seeking childrens.
This powerful Satyanaraya Pooja is performed on the occasion of full moon at 5 pm, every month through out the year. It is also done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions include marriage, graduation, new job, and the purchase of a new home to name a few.
Bhajans
Every month on the 2nd and 4th Saturday (except in the tamil month of purattasi), bhajans are performed at the temple. They sing devoutly in praise of Sriman Narayanan, and devotees join in the religious fervour, this is followed by annadanam.
Temple :
he temple is unique and special compared to other vaishnava temples, as the structure of “Lord Venkatesa Perumal’s suyambu” resembled the shape of a banana flower, which is not a common aspect in vaishnav temples. Devotee’s who have taken vows to make offering to the lord of the seven hills can fullfill them in Mondipalayam in the event of their inability to go to thirupathi.
Sri Venkatesa Perumal sits majestically in the middle of 4 streets. The “Dwajasthambam” can be viewed from the entrance, as well as the Bali Peedam and the Kodi Maram(flag post). If we move further ahead, we can see “Garuda Azhwar” praying to the Lord,facing the main deity. As we move forward, we reach the Maha Mandapam and the Ardah Mandapam. On entering,devotees gain the spiritual experience hearing the divine words “Om Namo Narayana” from within their hearts. The main deity is in the form of a “Swayambu” in the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbagraham). Tha Lord “Sri Venkatesa Perumal” facing eastward, giving his divine darisanam, with the blessings of the Lord, experience an inner calm and a flow of divine energy within. Devotees then come out to the inner “Prakaram” (corridor) of the temple. Mowving clockwise, there is the sannidhi of “Venugopalasamy” and then on the south exit of the mandapam is “Chakrathazwar” facing east. After gaining the blessing of Him, one tracks back to the inner prakaram, is the sannidhi of “Anjanaiyar”.
History :
The temple was built over a “Suyambu” which was discovered by Kondamanayakkar approximately 300 years ago. At the time of discovering the Suyambu, he was living in the village of alathur, and a strong devotee to lord Venkatesa Perumal. In his dream on a fine day, Lord Venkatesa Perumal incepted the thought of his appearance on a specific day on the current location of the temple. He informed this to the fellow villagers to gather in the place, WhereKondama Naikker asked people to dig the particular place. They found the lord venkatesa perumal the form of a suyambu, a saligramam stone, a conch(sangu), a wheel (Chakkaram) and flat-bell(Chegandi). Later in time, his future generations took care of the temple and its development with help from devotee’s contributions.
Sri Venkatesa Perumal sits majestically in the middle of 4 streets. The “Dwajasthambam” can be viewed from the entrance. As well as the Bali Peedam and the Kodi Maram(flag post). If we move further ahead, we can see “Garuda Azhwar” praying to the Lord, facing the main deity. As we move forward, we reach the Maha Mandapam and the Ardah Mandapam. On entering, devotees gain the spiritual experience hearing the divine words “Om Namo Narayana” within their hearts. The main deity is in the form of a “Suyambu” in the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbagraham). The Lord “Sri Venkatesa Perumal” facing eastward, giving his divine darisanam With the blessings of the Lord experience an inner calm and a flow of divine energy within. Devotees then come out to the inner “Prakaram” (corridor) of the temple. Moving clockwise, there is the sannidhi of “Venugopalasamy” and then on the south exit of the mandapam is “Chakrathazwar” facing east. After gaining the blessing of Him, one tracks back to the inner prakaram, is the sannidhi of “Anjanaiyar” (Sri Hanuman). After the darisanam of the Azhwars, (the twelve mystic saints) one gets the grace of “Thumbikai Azhwar”(Lord Ganesa). The sannindhi of “Alamelumangai Thayar” (Goddess Mahalakshmi) The Goddess having a graceful smile blesses us with her four hands. Next is the sannidhi of “Sudi kodutha Sudarkodi Andal” in a standing posture facing east showering us with her blessings. Near the ‘Andal’ Sannidhi you will be blessed by darshan of lord venkatesapermal ‘Dasavadarams’ family soth and lord. As one goes further into the Prakaram, devotees get the opportunity to pray to the “Lord’s feet “(Thiruvadi). The traditional “Sorga Vaasal” which is opened every year on occasion “Vaikunta Ekadasi” has the sannindhi of “Vaikunta Narayanamurthi” along with his consort “Lakshmi Devi”. As one proceeds forward, they reach the “Kodi Maram” after the darshan of “Sanishwarar”.
