Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Thanjavur
Prasanna
Venkatesa Perumal Temple is a Hindu
temple located in the town
of Thanjavur in Tamil
Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Vishnu. The temple was constructed by the Thanjavur Maratha king Pratapsingh in the 18th century. The temple is associated with
the life of Carnatic composer Muthuswami Dikshitar who has written many songs here. Annual kutcheris
are held during the Tamil month of Aadi in his memory. This Temple is located near Ayyan
Kulam, Tanjore city, Tamil Nadu state, India.
The West
Main Street, which is called a Mela Masi Veethi in Tamil language, is
a well-known locality for the citizens of Thanjavur. The huge temple tank
named Ayyan Kulam is a popular landmark in that street. After
passing the tank through a lane leading from Mela Masi Veethi, near the Nal Kal
Mandapam, Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is located.
Legends
It is
believed that Lord Vishnu appeared one night in the dreams of Pratap Singh as
Venkatesa Perumal. Answering the King’s prayers, Lord is said to have asked the
King to pick up the idol of the Lord along with the Thaayar lying behind in the
temple tank and install at the temple here. One has to climb about 10 steps to
reach the temple. Believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam, Prasanna Venkatesan
Perumal is said to solve all the problems of devotees.
History
The
temple belongs to the Maratha period. It was built by the Maratha
King Pratap Singh in the 18th century CE. Muthuswamy Deekshithar, one
of the three great Carnatic musical legends, has composed a song in praise of
this deity.
On
Wednesday 23rd March 2011, Reforming ceremony (Kudamuzhukku Vizha) of Prasanna
Venkatesa Perumal temple in Manombuchavady, Tanjore was held. On 21st February
2011, Holy water from Navaneetha Krishna shrine was brought.
Consequently,
prayer, sacrificial homa poojas were celebrated. On Wednesday morning Holy
water was poured on temple tower (Gopuram). Then after special worships, torch
(Deepaaradhanai) was shown and sacred offering of food (Annadhanam) was done.
After this the Lord was taken out for procession. Many devotees attended this
reforming ceremony and worshiped the Lord Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal.
Temple
Architecture
A
beautiful old temple situated in the heart of Thanjavur is the Prasanna Venkatesa
Perumal Koil. Built during the period of Achutha Nayakar by Maratha King Pratap
Singh, the temple is right in the center of the famous four Raja Streets of
Thanjavur. In earlier times, the Lord was called ‘Malai Eriya Perumal‘.The main
God in this temple is Venkatesa Perumal and other deities are Padmavathi
Thayar, Panchamuga Anjaneyar and Mahavishnu’s Dasavatara Perumal deities are
installed in east facing.
The east
facing temple is located on top of a small hill and it can be reached by
climbing about 14-15 steps. The temple has a Raja Gopuram (tower). In the
sanctum sanctorum, the tall images of Prasanna Venkatesa along with his two
consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi on his either sides are found. All of them are
found in the standing postures. The deity was called as 'Malai Eriya Perumal'
in the olden days.
In the
Maha mandapa, the old Tanjore paintings depicting Vishnu and his Avatars in
different postures are found. Facing towards the main shrine, the sub-shrine of
Garuda, Bali Peetham and flag staff are found. Also, a small idol of Ganesha is
found behind Garuda.
On
either side of the main shrines, two sub-shrines are found. In one shrine,
Perumal Padam, the holy footsteps of Vishnu, is enshrined. The other shrine has
a small idol of Hanuman.
On the
Northern side of the temple Vishwaksenar Sannidhi. This area also has sannidhis
for the 12 Azhvaars, Adi Kesava perumal and Krishnan with Rukmini and
Satyabama. About 100 yards to the East of this temple is the South Facing Lord
Ranganatha temple. Outside the temple, there is very small temple of Hanuman,
which is very popular in the locality. The temple has just one prakara
(circumbulatory passage).
Sub Shrines:
There
are many sub-shrines located there. They are Alwars shrine, a sub-shrine
enshrining two pairs of Adi Kesava Perumal and Lakshmi. One pair is in the
sitting posture, whereas the other pair of Perumal and Devi is slightly bigger
in size and is in the standing posture, a sub-shrine for Venu Gopalan - Krishna
playing flute - with Rukmini and Satyabama, a sub-shrine of bigger Madana
Gopalan - Krishna playing flute with Rukmini and Bhama and two big idols of
Vishnu.
Annual
Kutcheri
One of
the highlights in the year is the special Kutcheri every evening at 6 pm for 15
days beginning Aadi Amavasai. On the 10th day, the Utsava deity, decorated in a
special Alankaram is taken out on a street procession. It is said that
Muthuswamy Deekshithar, one of the Sangeetha Mummoorthigal, composed Sri
Prasanna Venkatesa Bhujangam in Vasantha Bhairavi Ragam in praise of this Lord.
Festivals
Chitrai
Utsavam, Puratasi Brahmotsavam, 18 Garuda Sevai, Aipasi (Revathy Nakshatram),
Aavani (Thiruvonam), Thiru Kalyana Utsavam and Margazhi Adhyana Utsavam are the
festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. During Hanuman Jayanthi
in Margazhi, Lord Hanuman is taken out on a street Procession.
Vaikuntha
Ekadasi festival is held annually here. During this festival every year in the
morning of Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Thirumanjana service, Tiruvaratanai, Perumal in
Nachiar posture departure, the Lord's joining yatasthanam are held.
The main
program of this festival is ‘opening the gateway to heaven’ (Sorgavasal). On
early morning of Vaikunta Ekadesi, Tanjore four-footed Mahal Prasanna Venkatesa
Perumal Temple’s Sorgavasal will be opened. Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal along
with Sridevi and Boomidevi ascending via Sorgavasal graces the devotees.
Temple
Administration
The
temple comes under the administration of the Thanjavur Palace, headed currently
by Babaji Rajah Bhonsle. Under his able leadership, most of the Perumal Koils
in and around Thanjavur have received a face lift.
Temple
Opening Time
Temple
is open from 7am – 11 am and 5pm – 8.30 pm.
Contact
Prasanna
Venkatesa Perumal Temple
Tanjore,
Tanjore District
Phone: 04362 224008
Connectivity
This
Temple is located near Ayyan Kulam, Tanjore city, Tamil Nadu state, India. The
West Main Street, which is called a Mela Masi Veethi in Tamil
language, is a well-known locality for the citizens of Thanjavur. The huge
temple tank named Ayyan Kulam is a popular landmark in that street. After
passing the tank through a lane leading from Mela Masi Veethi, near the Nal Kal
Mandapam, Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is located.
