Thiruvananthapuram Venkatachalapathy Temple

Address

Thiruvananthapuram Venkatachalapathy Temple – Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023

Diety

Venkatachalapathy Amman: Sridevi, Bhudevi

Introduction

Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi. The temple was built in 1898. The pooja s in kerala temples are based on the Namboodiri sampradayam, instead this is the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Vaishanavite Vadagalai Sampradayam.

Puranic Significance

The deity of this temple is Sri Venkatachalapathy. It is said that one Shri Ranga Iyengar of Veeravanallur saw the idol in a pond near his house around 100 years ago. The idol was installed by Sree Ranganatha Satagopa Yateendra Mahadesikar, 40th Azhkiya Singar according to the ‘Paadmasamhitai’ (One among the three Samhitais) of the ‘Paancharathra Agamam’. As per the instructions of the Jeer, the eldest son in Shri Ranga Iyengar’s family has been the main priest of the temple and has also been in charge of its administration for the last three generations. The daily rituals in the temple are being carried out according to the Vadakalai System. Though the spiritual origin of the temple can be traced to Tamil Nadu, the temple does not have a ‘Gopuram’. However the temple cannot also be said to be according to the Kerala style as the Sreekovil is plain construction, devoid of the intricate carvings so common in Kerala temples. The temple had a terrace . The temple’s main deity in the Garba Gruham is SriVenkatachalapathy Perumal. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of Alamelu Mangai Thayar and Padmasini Thayar. There are also shrines for the deities Navaneetha Krishnar(Santhana Gopalan), Peria Thiruvadi, Garudar.; in this temple. The temple also has an installation of the idol of Kulasekhara alwar, who ruled over this land many centuries ago. As a mark of respect to the king who was a devont Vaishnavite, a sannidhi has been constructed where along with the idol of Kulasekhara Alwar the idols of Nammalwar, Thirumangai alwar, Bashyakarar(Ramanujar). Are also consecrated Vishwarksenar(is said to be the escort of Sree Venkitachalapathy).

Special Features

Temple’s architectural style is similar to Tamil Nadu style temples. Unlike other shrines, the deities in Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple are placed on three steps.

Festivals

The major festival celebrated in Venkatachalapathy Temple is the Vaikunta Ekadasi. Other festivals celebrated are Diwali, Vishu, Thiru Aadi Pooram, Aadi Swathi, Onam, Janmashtami and Alwar Thirunakshatram. Daily rituals, according to the Vadakalai System, are carried in the temple.