Cheranmahadevi Appan Venkatachalapathy Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Cheranmahadevi Appan Venkatachalapathy Temple – Thirunelveli

Cheranmahadevi, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu 627417

Mobile: +91 89036 69263 / 04634 265268

Moolavar

Appan Venkatachalapathy

Amman

Alarmel Mangai and Padmavathy Thaayar

Introduction

Appan Venkatachalapathy Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Cheranmahadevi in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located at about 1 km North of Ramaswamy temple on the Cheran Maha Devi – Kallur- Thirunelveli route. This Temple was recently renovated after having remained closed for almost 50 years. It is believed to be built during the Vijayanagara dynasty. It has inscriptions on Tamil as well as Sanskrit on its wall. The Lord Venkatachalapathy who adorns the temple is worshipped as equivalent to that of Lord Balaji of Tirupathi. The Temple is situated amidst picturesque paddy fields and banana plantations; Appan Venkatachalapathy Temple offers peace and tranquility to worshipers. River Thamirabarani flows within a km from the temple. Spring Festival for the Appan Lord and 6 offerings to the Lord on New Moon days are conducted during ancient times.

Puranic Significance

The story goes that a Cheran king, who could not find a solution from the doctor, for his daughter’s stomach pain approached an astrologer who asked to give ‘Milagu Rasam’ to his daughter. To his surprise, his daughter recovered. Hence, Milagu Rasam is special at this temple.

Garland for the Lord:

Also, during the rule of Sundara Pandya Deva, there was a gift of money by Virasinga Deva for providing Garland of flowers in the Cheran Narayanan Nandavanam in return for some prasadam from the temple. There was also an agreement given by the temple authorities to Pillai Vijayarayan for the 8 Achchu given by him for maintaining the flower garden and supplying garlands to the temple.

40 Kalam of Paddy for Services to the Appan Temple:

During the rule of Vira Pandya II records an agreement deed given to Sriranganatha Bhattar by the Pandarikal Sri Vaishnavas and Nambiman of the Appan temple of Cheran Maha Devi Chadurvedi Mangalam. As per this deed, the latter agreed to measure out 40 Kalam of Paddy to the temple for certain services in lieu of interest on a sum of 20 Achchus as they were in arrears to the temple.

Kulasekharan Sandhi:

Maravarman Pandya who reigned Malai Nadu, Chola and Kongu Kingdom, Ilam and Thondai Mandalam registered the remission of all kinds of taxes by assembly of Cheran Maha Devi Chadurvedi Mangalam on certain lands in Idaigal for conducting service called ‘Kulasekharan Sandhi’ instituted in the Appan temple by Veenaadudaiyan.

Recognizing the work of Smith:

In an interesting recognition, Kulasekhara Deva records a gift of an annuity of Paddy and a portion of the ‘deity offered food’ to the Smith Cherai Mangai Silpasari for doing stone work in the Appan temple

New Moon Day and 6 offerings for the Lord:

On the side wall of the temple is a record that states the gift of money for providing 6 offerings to the God on New Moon days.

Beliefs

It is believed that those who worship at this temple will be cured of all diseases and blessed with peace & prosperity.

Special Features

Presiding Deity is called as Appan Venkatachalapathy facing east in Standing Posture. Thayar of this Temple is Alarmel Mangai and Padmavathy Thaayar. Utsavar is Srinivasan. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. The Lord Venkatachalapathy who adorns the temple is worshipped as equivalent to that of Lord Balaji of Tirupathi. There are about 60 inscriptions at this temple the earliest of which dates back to the rule of Jatavaraman Pandya (Kulasekhara I) who on the suggestion of his brother in law Ravivarma ordered that the land of Karungulapparru, an Eastern Hamlet of Cheran Maha Devi Chadurvedi Mangalam, be made completely tax free for daily offerings to the Lord and for the recital of Vedas and Puranas at this temple.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunda Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are the festivals celebrated here.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/appan-venkatachalapathy-temple.html