Prasanna Venkateswara Perumal Temple, Nallur, Thiruvannamalai
Prasanna
Venkateswara Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Nallur
Village in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Prasanna
Venkateswara Perumal and Mother is called as Sundaravalli. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa
Tree. This place is called as Sundara Varadaraja Puram in olden days.
Legends
Once
upon a time a few Brahmins who had gone on pilgrimage stayed in this holy
place. They set up the Perumal icon they had brought and performed
worship. The next day when they resumed their journey, they could not lift
the statue from that place. Lord Vishnu appeared before them and said that
He wished to stay in that place. The happy Brahmins erected a temple for
him. Later, that temple became dilapidated and a new temple was erected. The
Lord looks handsome and beautiful; so he is called ‘Sundara Varadarajar’.
The
Temple
The
Prime Deity of the old temple is in the separate sanctum. He receives the
first pooja during the festivals and pooja time. His icon is sculpted
wonderfully in a single stone. He appears with the ‘prayoga chakram’,
‘valampuri chanku’ and with a staff in the lower left arm. Lord Anjaneya
sits with bent knee in the Lord’s peetam surrounded by the rishis in tapasya –
this is a significant feature. On the dome are seen the gandharvas.
Generally,
Garudaalvaar is seen in the Perumal temples, opposite to the Lord in the
worshipping posture. Rarely is he seen near the Lord in a few holy places
like Srivilliputtur. But, in this temple Garudaalvaar is seen in the
posture of worshipping the Lord’s feet. He is seen kneeling and
worshipping the feet of Sundaravaradarajar and the Lord above him blesses him
with his right arm – this looks quite distinct.
Another
Garudaalvaar stands in the worshipping posture opposite to the prime
sanctum. Both his wings are spread as though he is about to take his
flight. His left leg is bent and with his right leg erect, he seems to be ready
for service of the Lord when he calls him. It is believed that he brings
remedy to the devotees by recommending their causes to the Lord – hence he is
called “Recommending Garudaalvaar”.
The
devotees believe that Garuda is their true messenger to Lord representing their
grievances to him, hence praised as Parinduraikkum Garudazhwar – Recommending
to Lord. Sridevi and Bhudevi Thaayars are near the Lord. The Prime Thaayar
Sundaravalli is in separate sanctum.
The Bael
Tree considered as desirable to Lord Siva, is the sacred tree of this
place. Many yaagas had been performed here several thousand years
ago. The ‘yaagasaalai sthupi’ is near the temple. In the prakara,
Lord Anjaneya is in separate sanctum facing north with the Sanjeevi Parvatha in
his hand, in the posture of about to start.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikunda
Ekadasi in December-January, Navarathri in September-October, Azhwars’ birth
star pujas, all Saturdays in September-October (Purattasi month) and Garuda
Seva on Vaikasi Visakam day (May-June) are the festivals very grandly
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those
who are desirous of issues pray here in large numbers. The offerings include
donning the Lord and Thaayar with new clothes, performing special poojas and
also donating to the temple renovation.
Contact
Sri
Prasanna Venkateswara Perumal,
Nallur, Thiruvannamalai
District
Phone: +91 44 4211 3345
Phone: +91 4183 243 157
Mobile: +91 94452 32457
Connectivity
To reach
Nallur, we have to go to Vandavasi, 40 Kms from Melmaruvathur and from there
travel about 13 Kms in the town buses. There are only limited bus services at
the stipulated time from Vandavasi; so it is better to hire a taxi and
travel. Nearest Railway Station is located at Melmaruvathur and Nearest
Airport is located at Chennai.
