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Friday, June 17, 2016

Prasanna Venkataramanar Temple (Chinna Tirupati), Karuvalli, Omalur, Salem

Prasanna Venkataramanar Temple (Chinna Tirupati), Karuvalli, Omalur, Salem
Sri Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy Temple is located in a small beautiful hill near Karuvalli at Marakottai village, Omalur town, Salem district. This Temple is also called as Chinna Tirupati is located about 25kms from Salem off the Salem – Dharmapuri NH on a small hill in Karuvalli near Omalur where Moolavar Lord Venkatachalapathi is flanked by Sri and Bhoo Devi. One has to climb 300 steps to reach the hill temple.





There is a huge Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance that is seen from a fair distance away. It is a Pallava Period temple that was constructed in the current form and structure by the Pandyas. This is a Hill Temple whose legend back to the fight between Adiseshan and Vayu.





Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
Greatness of Temple
There is a small idol of Lord Venkataramana outside the temple.  People use to submit their prayers and seek the approval of Lord for commencing any work they have in mind and speak to him as if to a relation. They place a Tulsi leaf on Perumal’s shoulders for permission. If the leaf falls down, it indicates the approval of Lord. People in the surroundings follow this practice for generations. 






According to scriptures, this hill is the part of the Ananda Parvatha that fell here during a contest between Vayu and Adisesha. Lord appears in this temple as in Tirupati, hence this place is known as Chinna Tirupati.  The Aadhi Swayambu is in the sanctum sanctorum before Perumal. Mother Alarmalu Mangai Thayar graces from a shrine separately in the Artha Mandapa.



The Temple
The temple is quite an old one, but has been significantly extended in recent years. So, at the outset the temple looks quite new. However, one can observe the contrast in new and old architecture when one enters the inner sanctum. As the name indicates, it is a temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. The lord here assumes the name of Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal.





Temple is situated on a beautiful hill with the surrounding wall of 215 feet length and 90 feet width. Temple has an entrance in east and north side. Arulmigu Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy Temple is famous among all Vainava temples in Salem district. The temple also has huge murtis of Hanuman and Garuda.





The temple walls are adorned with beautiful paintings of Vishnu and his avatars. This temple is a small but beautiful and ornate temple with gopurams and other structures that we identify with temples in Tamilnadu. The shrine is believed to have been built during the Pallava period. Entrance to the shrine is from east and north.






Perumal graces the devotees in his standing posture.  Sweet pudding – Sarkarai Pongal is offered as nivedhana to Lord.





Moolavar: Prasanna Venkatachalapathi with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar
Thaayar: Alarmel Mangai Thaayar / Padmavathi Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)
Utsavar: Srinivasa Perumal
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m
Festivals
·        Brahmotsavam in Puratasi
·        Sri Jayanthi Utsavam
·        Street Procession on the full moon day in Chitrai
·        Chitra Pournami & Tamil New year
·        Vaikasi Vasantotsavam
·        Aani Thirumanjanam
·        Aadi Perukku
·        Avani Avittam Festival
·        Puratasi Navarathri Festival
·        Deepavali
·        Karthigai Deepam
·        Ekadashi
·        Thai Ulavar Thirunal
·        Masi Magam
·        Sri Rama Navami 
·        Yugathi Festival
Prayers
Devotees pray to Lord with special dressings – Alankarams for wedding, child, prosperity and promotion and education boons. To cure their cattle from disease, devotees pray to Flute Krishna in the prakara with butter covering. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Lord offering vastras.
Contact
Sri Prasanna Venkataramanar Temple,
Chinna Tirupati, Karuvalli – 636 305,
Salem district, Tamilnadu
Phone: +91- 4290 - 246 344
Mobile: 94422 20607
Connectivity
Omalur is 29 km from Salem. Town buses are available from Omalur to the temple place. By bus, one can get down at Omalur from Salem (on the Dharmapuri / Mettur highway). From Omalur, take the Mookanur/Vellaru bus to reach Chinna Tirupathi/Karuvalli (about 13kms).
Omalur is about 10 kms from Taramangalam and from Omalur; the Chinna Tirupathi temple is about another 10kms. There is one place called Chinna Tirupathi near Salem as well. So, make sure you do not land up at the wrong place.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Karuvalli. Train route is available at Karavalli station via Salem junction to Bengaluru. Bangalore bound morning train at 5.20 A.M at Salem Junction will take you to Karuvalli station by 6am. The temple is walking distance from the station.
Nearest Airport is located at Coimbatore & Trichy.