Main God:
Arulmigu Venkatesha Perumal
Location:
Arulmigu Venkatesa Perumal Temple
Mondipalayam, Alathur (post),
Cheyur(via),
Avinashi (TK),
Tiruppur district,
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.
Worship Timing:
- Adhikalai Poojai: 6:00 AM
- Ucchikaala Poojai: 12:00PM
- Saingalam: 6:00 PM
History:
Prasannam means that which appears in the mind. There are staunch devotees who attain darshan of Lord in their mind though they could not have it with physical eyes. King Tirumalai Naicker had such a darshan of Lord Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and built a temple at Tallakulam in Madurai. Similarly, a king of the Thondaiman dynasty in Thirumalayavur prayed to Lord Venkatachalapathi for safety to his land. Lord protected his land. When the king expressed his gratitude to the Lord, He came to this hill with His scepter and granted darshan. Thondaiman king built this temple and named the Lord Prasanna Venkatesar.
There are two procession deities, Srinivasa and Kallarpiran. The former comes in car procession during the Purattasi festival and later in Chithirai festival. There are shrines for Chakarathazhwar, Venugopalar and Lord Sri Rama in the temple. Sri Veera Anjaneya is at the foot of the temple in a flying posture. Devotees submit their prayers in writing to Sri Anjaneya, cover it in a yellow cloth along with an unstripped coconut. Lord Lakshmi Ganapathi shrine is nearby.
According to rules of worship in Tirupathi, the first worship should be dedicated to Lord Aadi Varahaswami before reaching Lord Srinivasa-Venkatachalapathi. The same system is followed in this temple too. There is a separate shrine for Lord. When Perumal took Varaha Avatar, Garuda Bhagwan could not have this darshan. Hence, this Varaha darshan was granted to Garuda in this temple.
Lord Prasanna Venkateswara in the sanctum sanctorum looks majestically holding the scepter-Sengole. Two Mahalakshmis are on His broad chest on both sides. Divine serpent Adi Sesha has his place in the Tiruvasi frame. Lord is wearing Ashalakshmi-Sahasranama malas and Dasavatara Odyanam the belt around the waist. Lord grants Netra darshan (Darshan of eyes only) without any special Alankaras on Thursday mornings. The view of Lord falls on the devotees. Of the Dwarapalakas, Jayan is wearing the Simha design ear ring and Vijayan is wearing the Gaja –elephant designed ear rings. This is a different feature in this temple. There is a separate shrine for Mother Alarmelmangai Thayar.
