Venkatachalapathi Swamy Temple

Deities

Timings

Address & Contact

Historical Information

Temple Specialty

• Historical

  This temple is called Markandeya kshetram. In this kshetram sage Markandeyar who is the son of sage Mrkanda resided in the garden thickly populated with the sacred Tulasi plants. His one desire was to become the father of the supreme goddess Mahalakshmi and to give her hand in marriage to the supreme godhead Sriman Narayanan thereby becoming his father-in-law. He undertook severe penance to obtain his goal in the Tulasi garden. Sriman Narayanan and his consort Mahalakshmi were very pleased by the intensity of the devotion and decided to grant his wish. Accordingly Lakshmi as directed by Sriman Narayanan took avatar as a baby girl and appeared before Markandeyar near a Tulasi plant before which he was observing his penance. Sriman Narayanan informed Lakshmi that he will appear at a suitable time to gain her hand in marriage. Sage Markandeyar was overjoyed and took the girl child in his arms and brought her up lovingly as his own daughter and named her Bhumidevi. In due time Bhumidevi attained womanhood. Markandeyar started to look for a bridegroom who will be suitable for her in all respects. At this time Tirumaal appeared before the sage as a very old man and sought the hand of Bhumidevi in marriage. Markandeyar was aghast at this request and tried to divert the attention by saying that his daughter is very young and has not been taught the proper methods of cooking and that she doesnt even know that she has to add salt while cooking and that his young daughter will not want to marry an old man. Saying this sage Markandeyar not knowing what to do meditated on Emperumaan and sought His help in redeeming him from this delicate situation. The old man then revealed his true nature and appeared as Mahavishnu before the sage all decked up with divine ornaments and asked the sage to seek any wishes he may have. The sage requested for three wishes to be granted 1. Perumaal should marry his daughter and stay put in this kshetram and bless the devotees 2. That this kshetram be named after him as Markandeya kshetram 3. The food that is prepared in this kshetram should be without salt, should be palatable to devotees and they should relish it. Tirumaal granted these wishes and to this day is blessing all devotees who come to him. Since Mahavishnu descended to earth at this kshetram from his abode Vaikundam (Vinnulakam) this place came to be called Tiruvinnagaram.

• Others

  On every month on the auspicious Sravana Nakshatra day (the star under which Perumaal took avatar in this kshetram) throngs of devotees visit the temple to worship and after the customary camphor aarati offering to the Deity witness the lighting of the Akhanda Deepam and Vaal Deepam. It may so happen that the person who lights these Deepams and carries them in his hand may make divine predictions. It is customary for many devotees and for devotees for whom Oppiliappan is the kula deivam to observe Sravana Viratam every month on the Sravana nakshatram day by partaking of foods without salt after it has been offered to Perumaal. This viratam can be observed by the devotees at their homes as well. Devotees who visit the temple on this day are given divine prasaadam.

Services

Annadhanam: Annadanam is given to 100 persons from Monday to Thursday and 150 persons with Vada Payasam on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those who want to do alms can pay alms donation of Rs.3500/- in one day at the temple office directly or through website and do alms on the day of their choice. Income tax is exempt for those who donate alms. The payment can also be made through www.hrce.tn.gov.in of this temple.

Facilities

• Dormitory Facility

  The Devotees guest house located on Sannathy Street in Oppiliyappankoil has three rooms that can accommodate 25 persons. Charges are Rs.50/- per person per day.

• Tonsure Facility

  The place for tonsoring is present outside the temple premises in the street adjacent to the western boundary wall. In this temple as per the State Assembly directive no money is collected for tonsoring. Provision for bathing with hot water is available.

• Free Footwear Stand

  Devotees can leave their footwear outside the temple gopuram free of cost for safekeeping.

• Toilet Facility

  A separate restroom is available for male and female devotees visiting the temple near the northern side of the temple tank.

• Wheel Chair

  Four, wheelchairs are maintained for devotees with disabilities. These can be found near Dwajasthambam. The office phone number is 04352463385, and the temple staff named Mr. R. Rajaraman (mobile no - 9244809974) and Mr. M.Ravichandran (mobile number 9655859899) can be contacted to avail of these facilities.

• Thulabharam Facility

  Like in Guruvaayoor, in this temple also devotees can offer Thulaabhaaram at the Vaakana mandapam inside the temple premises. Among SriVaishnava temples in TamilNadu, this temple is unique in this respect. Except salt other items can be offered and the item to be offered can be bought from the temple office itself.

• Accommodation Facility

  Devotees can leave their footwear outside the temple gopuram free of cost for safekeeping. The temple has a building to house devotees on sannidhi street. There are ordinary rooms 4 in number costing Rs.500/day in which 2 persons can stay. There are A/C rooms 4 in number costing Rs.1000/day in which 2 persons can stay. There is a dormitory-style room that costs Rs.50/day per person. Advance booking up to 15 days in advance can be done.

• Information Centre

  There is a book stall inside the premises near the entrance selling religious books, photos of the Deity, silver dollar, etc. The tickets for Archana, tonsuring, kodideepam, prasaadam are issued at the ticket counter inside the temple near the vahana mandapam.

• Golden Chariot

  This Ratham is kept in the western side of the temple tank in the RCC mandapam with all protection. Devotees by paying rs.2000 can offer their praarthanai by pulling this Ratham around the 2nd prakaaram of this temple complex.

• Drinking Water R.O.

  Inside the temple premises at two locations a modern water filtering system is installed to provide drinking water.

Tank Information

Pagalira Poigai: Every Tiruvona nakshatram in the Tamil month of Thai. The temple tank is surrounded by a protective boundary wall. Safety iron rails are installed in the temple tank to make it safe for devotees entering the tank to take bath and make religious offerings.

Sculpture Details

Manigam, Mahapalam