Sanyasi Gramam Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Sanyasi Gramam Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Sanyasi Gramam, Thirunelveli,

Thirunelveli District

Tamil Nadu. Phone: +91 – 462 – 233 4624

Moolavar

Kalyana Srinivasar (Sri Venkatachalapathy)

Amman

Alarmelu Thayar.

Introduction

Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Sanyasi Gramam Village near Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The temple is located near the Varadharaja Perumal temple. The temple is under private administration. Presiding Deity is called as Kalyana Srinivasar (Sri Venkatachalapathy) and Mother is called as Alarmelu Thayar. Theertham of this Temple is Gopala Srinivasa Theertham. Agamam of this temple is Vaikanasam. Historically the place was called as Vidyagopalapuram. As the Lord in the temple is but a replica of Sri Venkatachalapathy in Tirupathi, the place is praised as Then Tirupathi (Tirupathi of South).

Puranic Significance

Lord Narayana with a view to protect mankind from its various ills came to the Earth millenniums ago in the name Srinivasa and stayed on the banks of river Tamirabarani. Among the sages, Siddhas and Mahapurushas – Mahatmas who came to know of Lord’s arrival, was an ascetic-Sanyasi. He felt a fear and doubt in his mind about a future if and when the human form of Lord Narayana came to an end and his departure to his own Abode, the Vaikunta. He began a severe penance to stop the Lord. Lord Narayana appeared before the Sanyasi and advised him to raise a temple in the place from where he would be protecting all his devotees. Thus the Kalyana Srinivasa temple came to being here and the place was named Sanyasi Gramam – village.

Beliefs

Those unable to take a journey to Tirupathi to execute their prayers do it in this temple here. Devotes facing obstacles in the marriage efforts believe that Perumal (Lord Srinivasa) would help them get a suitable life partner. Devotees pray for the removal of difficulties in continuing education of children, obstacles in marriage talks, for child boon, good jobs, and success in endeavors. Worshipping Sri Anjaneya continuously ensures favors in litigations and total cure from diseases. Devotees offer Pushpa Angi Vastram (upper cloth with artistic designs), Nivedhanas (feeding he Lord), treating him on oonjal (a plank tied with chains from the roof on four sides moving to and fro), Tulabaram- offering something to the Lord such as plantain fruits, sugar etc. equal to one’s body weight). They also tonsure their heads here. Devotes also offer garlands made of Vada (Vada is a popular dish of Tamilnadu known throughout the world now), Tulsi and Betel leaves to Panchamukha Anjaneya (Anjaneya with five faces) in the temple.

Special Features

The presiding deity in the temple is an exact replica of the deity in Tirupathi, hence this place is known as Then Tirupathi (Tirupathi of South). The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. Lord Srinivasa has Sridevi and Boodevi in his right and left chest respectively with conch and discus in hands. He wears a golden belt on his hip with a chandrvamsa Sword. He also wears garlands of Sapthagiri, Lakshmi, Tulsi, Lotus and Shenbaga flowers with anklets on his feet. The Vimana (tower) above the sanctum sanctorum in the temple is called Ananda Vimanam. Mother Alarmelu Thayar graces in the Arthamandapam (A hall). Standing by her side is Panchamukha Anjaneya of five faces – his own, Varaha, Garuda, Lord Narasimha, and Lord Hayagriva with their respective weapons in hands. The devotee can worship simultaneously Lord Venkatachalapathy, Mother Alarmelu Thayar and Panchamukha Anjaneya in this temple. Behind the Lord, Mother Lakshmi on the right and Sri Andal on the left grace from the walls.

Festivals

Tamil New Year Day (Almost on April 14 or a day before or after sometimes) Aani Pooram (June-July), Deepavali in October-November), Navarathri and Brahmmotsavam in Purattasi (September-October), Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January) Thai Pongal almost on January 14 and Rapathu (ten nights) are the festivals celebrated in the temple. A 41 day (a period covering a Mandalam) festival is celebrated in a grand manner from the Deepavali day with beautiful dressings (Alankaras).