Venkatachalapathy Temple, Mela
Thiruvenkatanathapuram – Legends
Swayam Vyaktha Kshetram:
In times
immemorial this place was a jungle and known as ‘Salivadipuram’ or
‘Vaiprachiam’. Nearby this place there was a hillock called ‘Swetha Parvatham’.
The story goes that Pylar Rishi, the leading disciple of Veda Vyasa Rishi,
visited this place as part of his religious trip. While bathing at the
Srinivasa Theertham in Tamaraibarani (1 km from the current temple location),
he too heard an invisible voice and could only visualize Venkatachalapathy and
not have a direct darshan of him. At that time there was neither a temple nor
even an idol for worship. Hence Pilor performed everything spiritually in his
mind by offering flowers.
After 7
days, all the flowers piled up and turned into a very bright light in which
Lord Srinivasa appeared before the sage. At his lotus feet the presiding deity
of the river Thamirabarani also appeared. Pilor was enthralled and pleaded the
God to be present in the place permanently along with his Goddesses and others.
He also built a small temple wherein he incarnated Lord Srinivasa along with
Goddesses Bhudevi Neeladevi and Alarmel Mangai. The bathing place in
Thamirabarani was named as ‘Srinivasa Theertha Ghat’.
Pleased
with his prayer, Lord asked Pylar Rishi to create the idol from the huge piece
of rock in this hill. Hence, this place is referred to as ‘Swayam Vyaktha’
Kshetram. The story also goes that Pylar found three special stones
flowing against the tide of the river and created the idol of Lord
Venkatachalapathy, Sri and Bhoo Devi with these stones.
Garuda with conch & discus:
When
Perumal took on a war to protect Mother Earth, He left his conch and discus
with Garuda to protect the world which Garuda did till the return of the Lord. Hence,
Garuda in this temple graces with conch and discus.
Thiruvengadanatha Puram:
Venkatappa
Naicker, ruling this region then went on a pilgrimage to various sacred places
seeking a child boon and finally came to this place. When he had a dip in
Srinivasa Ghat, he had a voice that he would be blessed with a child if he fed
1000 children quenching their hunger. He followed the directions of the
voice and was blessed with a male child. Immensely pleased, he built this
temple, cleared the land and made it fit for human habitation. He named the
place as Thiruvengadanatha Puram after his name.
12 Azhwars as 12 Steps in Sanctum:
12 sage
poets who eulogized Perumal in their hymns and celebrated as Azhwars wished to
be at the feet of the Lord in this temple. The 12 steps leading to the
sanctum sanctorum represent 12 Azhwars.
Equivalent to Tirupathi:
The Thiruvenkatanathapuram
temple has powers equivalent of visiting Tirupathi. Hence, this is also
referred to as ‘Then Tirupathi’. Ear piercing, Anga Prathakshinam, Tonsure and
Tulabaram are undertaken at this temple.
Prarthana Sthalam:
Belief
is that Lord Venkatachalapathy will bless childless couples if they perform pal
payasam pooja on the Shravanam day. This is a Prarthana Sthalam for a healthy
life, prosperity, liberation from curse and for unmarried people.
