Venugopala Swamy Temple, Kottaimalai, Padavedu

Venugopala Swamy Temple, Kottaimalai, Padavedu

The temple for Lord Venugopala Swamy is located on the top of Raja Kambeera Mountain popularly known as Kottaimalai. This is 3 KM away from Arulmigu Renugambal temple on the western side. The height of the mountain top is 2500 feet.

The only route available to this temple is a Ghat road running through thick and beautiful forest. A breath taking journey to this temple can be performed sitting on a huge Tractor specially built to take the pilgrims and the materials to the temple. However the tractor takes us only to the foot of the hill. Rest of the journey is to be covered by walk.   En route we have to pass through few wooden bridges constructed around the hill. It is an engineering marvel.

All our pains vanish once we reach the sanctum where beautiful flute playing Lord Venugopala Swamy is in a standing posture along with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabama. The idols of this temple are known for their artistic beauty.

This Ancient Sambuvarayar period stone temple has a beautiful stone Dhwajasthambham with the lightning arrestor at the top.

There are two water streams (sunai) on either side of the temple and water from one of them is very clean and is being used for drinking and Abhishekham.

Due to the 2500 feet height factor and the many mountains around, a very strong and cool breeze blows out at the mountain top and one has to stand very carefully with a firm grip on the ground.

This temple for Lord Venu Gopala Swamy opens only on Saturdays from 9AM to 4 PM. It is a nice place to visit in monsoon and winter seasons.

Festivals:

During a Purattasi Saturday, sun rays falls on the foot of the deity and raises to head during the early morning hours. Some say that this happens on the third Saturday and some say that no one knows on which Saturday of the month, this will happen. There will be 100s of people staying overnight to witness the event and the place wears a festive look with good lightings. Lot of Annadhanams by many people takes place on the mountain top and along the way.

The temple will be open for the entire overnight and the Abishegams will be completed before 5:30 AM itself on that day.

Contact:

Lokesh: +91 75982 73458 / 95665 56381

TVS office: 04181 – 248279 / 04173 – 320444

Temple Incharge: +91 90927 62000 / 94893 42938

Trustees: +91 97519 10248 / 98942 10013

References

https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/padavedu/