Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Aappur, Kanchipuram

Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Aappur, Kanchipuram
Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located in Aappur Village in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. As the name signifies Nithya Kalyana, it is a parihara sthalam for Marriage & prosperity. Aappur is a tiny village situated about 5 kms from Singapperumal Koil. This village lies on the west side of Singapperumal Koil off the GST Road. This is a hill temple and is visible from a distance itself on the right hand side of the road. The foot hill can be reached by going another half a km inside the village.


Legends
Vishnu gave darshan of his Thirumana Kolam to Sages:
In earlier days, there were many Rishis and Munis, who were doing Tapas on Lord Vishnu. Happy with their Tapas, he gave them darshan of his “Thirumana Kolam” i.e. Marriage darshan with his consort Lakshmi. Hence he came to be known as “Shri Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal”. Goddess Lakshmi is present in Aroopa form.


Sages worshipping Vishnu here:
Legend has it that on all full moon days Siddhars and Rishis gather here to worship the Lord. Also, Giripradhakshanam is popular in this temple.

Sage Agasthyar performed penance here:
It is also said that, this is probably the only Vaishnava temple, where Sage Agasthiyar had stayed and performed penance.


The Temple
This is a hill temple and is visible from a distance itself on the right hand side of the road. This temple is located on top of a hill known as Oushadhagiri (Oushadha- Medicinal, Giri - Hill). The temple is erected in conformity with agama shilpa shastras. The foot hill can be reached by going another half a km inside the village. There are about 500 steps to reach the temple on top of the hill. The stone steps are beautifully done and painted in white, which look beautiful when viewed from a distance. The steps are also a bit tedious to climb up. But one can stop in between to breathe some fresh herbal breeze and proceed.


The temple is very small and beautiful. The main deity here is Sri Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, also fondly called as Aappooraar by the local villagers. This temple is said to have been mentioned in many palm leaves of Naadi Astrology. The whole temple is just the sanctum and the mandapam around it. The main deity is seen facing east. Sri Garudan is seen in front of the sanctum, facing west towards the Lord.


Perumal here is said to bless the devotees for timely marriage and harmony within the family. The Mandapam is decorated with Dasavathara (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu) images made of concrete, which is seen all around. Pilgrims have to carry water or other refreshments with them, as nothing is available on top, after a strenuous climb. One can have a scenic view of the villages around, from the temple on hill top. Lovely breeze embraces us and cools us down relaxing us to prepare for descending down.

It is the only temple where Perumal is found to be wearing Saree. Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is said to have his consort in his heart, hence there is no separate Sannadhi for Thayar & hence the deity is worn a saree. It is ideal to visit this temple on a normal day without much crowd. Also it is suggested to go in small groups, which will make the climb less painful. A dilapidated brick structure can be spotted on the way to the temple which is another temple now in ruins.  


Temple Opening Time
This temple is open only till 11 am in the morning including Sundays, as there are not much people visiting here, except on festival days.
Contact
Sri Nithya Kalyana Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple 
Oushadha Giri Malai, Aappur, Siruvanjur,
Kanchipuram District – 603204
Mobile: +91 – 9444142239
Connectivity
Aappur is a small village in Kattankulathur Taluk in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Aappur is 5 km from Singapperumal Kovil. Singapperumal Koil is 24 Kms from Tambaram towards Chengalpet and 10 Kms from Chengalpet towards Tambaram. Aappur is located 5 kms perpendicular to GST Road towards North West. While coming from Tambaram, one has to take main right in Singapperumal Koil Junction. Go past level crossing. After some distance, you will find the road going straight bearing “Kolathur Ooraatchi” board, and there will be a right turn towards Sriperumpudur.
Take Sriperumpudur road and proceed, drive 4-5 kms. You will find the Aappur malai koil on your right. And for easy identification, there is a Samadhi, marked “Srila Sri Pathanjali Swamigal, Agasthiyar Ashramam”, towards your left, painted yellow. Take the small right there (there is a very old board) and drive half a km. You will reach adivaram.

References