Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple, Perumalmalai,
Thuraiyur – The Temple
The Temple lies
on top of Perumalmalai 960 feet above ground level in Pachaimalai hills and has
1532 steps. There is also a motorable road of about 5 kms till the top. It will
take about 15 minutes in vehicle and about an hour in walking through steps. This
temple is said to be constructed by the grandson of Karikal Chozhan. The kings
are later named as Karuppannar and Veerappa Swamy and are worshipped in the
temple. Govinda Raja Perumal in Sayana Kolam located at the Adivaram of the
Hills just like Thiruppathy.
There is
a Huge Sudhai Hanuman beautiful & colourful at the start of the Hill climb.
Presiding Deity is called as Prasanna Venkatachalapathy and is facing east. The
Perumal giving darshan in Kalyana Kolam with Thaayars Sridevi and Bhoodevi in
the Temple. There is a Artha Mandapam with Dasaavathaarams in the Pillars in a
beautiful manner. Lord Narasimha with 12 hands and with Hiranyakasipu on his
lap and tearing his intestines in a fiercing tone.
Presiding
Deity is having Sengol, given by Karikala. For those who could not climb the
hill, the foot print of the Perumal is installed at the base of the hill in a
mandapam along with Garudan in a standing posture. It is said that having a
Dharshan of this Perumal’s footprint is equivalent to having a Dharshan of the
Perumal at the hill top. Mother is called as Alamelumangai Thayar and housed in
separate shrine on the Hills facing east located on the right side of the
Lord’s shrine.
There is
also a Girivalam path around the hill. Hundreds of devotees take part in the
Girivalam around this hillock on full-moon days. Recently created large and
beautiful statues of Garuda and Panchavati can be seen at the base of the hill.
As per the request of Karikala Chola, Venkatesa Perumal left his footprints (Perumal
Paatham) and The Paatham Imprints are near Thaayar Sannathi. Near the
Perumal Paatham, Karikala Cholan himself (as Blessed by Venkatesa Perumal) is
blessing the devotees.
The
temple has a stone hanging that is said to produce ‘sapthasvaras’. The
Kshetrabaalakar is known as Malai Karuppanna Swamy alias Veerappa Swamy. Swami
appearing on a horse with a spare horse by side. In this Sannathi Vibhoothi prasadam
is given as prasadam. Yatindra Desikan temple with Lakshmi Narasimhar & Hayagriva
Idols can be found in the Adivaram of the Hills.
This
temple is believed to be ‘Then Thirupathi’ of Trichy as many similarities
existing with the glorious Thirumala Tirupathi. There are seven hillocks to
cross; Alarmelmangai Thayar is having a separate shrine; Govindharaja Perumal
in lying posture is having a temple at the foot hill; and there is a village
known as Nagalapuram 5 kms away. This temple is present as a symbol of Shaiva Vaishnava
unison – while Thulasi is being given as prasadam in the Perumal shrine, Vibhoothi
(holy ash) is being as prasadam in the Karuppannar shrine.
