Sathyamangalam Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple

Address

Sathyamangalam Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple – Erode

Gopalapuram, Sathyamangalam,

Erode district, Tamil Nadu 638401

Moolavar

Sri Venugopalaswamy

Amman

Sri Mahalakshmi

Introduction

Sathyamangalam Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple is dedicated to god Vishnu, Located about 70kms North of Coimbatore off the Chamarajnagar Mysore NH on the banks of Bhavani Sagar River and at the foot of the Kambaththa Raya Hills is the ancient Venugopalaswamy temple in the sandal wood town of Sathyamangalam in Kongu Nadu, an Abhimana Sthalam that pre-dates the period of Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika. Lord Venugopala is seen in a handsome standing posture alongside Rukmini and Satyabhama holding a conch and chakra and playing a flute with his other two hands.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to have been built by a Mysore ruler almost a 1500years ago. Ramanuja and Vedantha Desigar are believed to have stayed here for a few days on their way to Thiru Narayanapuram in Melkote.

Pandya Connection:

The number of Fish sculptures on the pillars and atop the walls leads one to believe that Pandyas may have contributed to the temple as well.

Tipu Sultan and Venugopalaswamy:

The treasurer of Tipu Sultan whose role it was to collect payments /dues decided to use these payments for the temple. The Venugopalaswamy temple in its current form and structure with the three Tier Raja Gopuram and Five Kalasas atop the Gopuram is believed to be a result of his efforts. To mark this event and his contribution to the temple, one can see the sculpture of Tipu and Venugopalaswamy on a pillar at the 108 pillared Maha Mandapa at the entrance of the temple. These 108 pillars are the biggest among the Vishnu temples in the Coimbatore and Erode region. Also, there are 21 prominent Pancha Loga Sculptures inside the temple. Inside the Artha Mandapa, on two pillars are artistic sculptures relating to Dasavathara.

Perumal in three different Postures:

While Venugopalaswamy is the main deity at this temple, there are two other forms of Vishnu also seen here at this temple in Sathyamangalam. To the right of Venugopala Sannidhi is the Lakshmi Narayana Sannidhi, where the Lord is seen in a sitting posture. Inside this sannidhi is an underground tunnel that is believed to date back to the 18^th century. Tipu Sultan may have used this underground tunnel during his battles. Behind the Venugopala Sannidhi is the Ranganatha Sannidhi where the small and handsome Lord Kasturi Ranganatha is seen in a Bhujanga Sayana Posture facing the devotees sleeping atop the 7 hooded Serpant Adhisesha. There is also a centuries old inscription in front of the Ranganatha Sannidhi. All the three Moolavar deities are Abhisheka idols.

Ayyappa Sannidhi:

A unique feature at this temple is the presence of Lord Ayyappa inside the temple. Festivals relating to Ayyappa are celebrated in a grand manner at this temple. Special Abhisheka takes place for Ayyappa in Karthigai (December) and Margazhi (January). Also, there is a special utsavam for Ayyappa in Chitrai (April – May).

Beliefs

Liberation from Doshams:
Similar to the Lizard (though not a golden one) at the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram, one finds a huge Lizard on the wall of the Western Prakara. Invoking the blessings here is said to liberate one from all kinds of Doshams.

Prarthana Sthalam for Unmarried people

Every Friday morning, special Abhisheka is performed at the Mahalakshmi Sannidhi. Taking part in this is believed to help people find their life partner.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. The KonguNadu special Garudathoon /Deepasthambham is not there in this temple. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

Perumal in this temple are in three different postures and also called in three different names. Sannadhis for Sri Venugopala Swamy, in standing posture, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal (Thayar Lakshmi is on the lap of Perumal in sitting posture and Sri Ranganathar in reclining posture. In addition to this sannidhis for Aadhavan, Vishwaksena, Anjaneyar, Andal, Iyappan and Chakkarathalwar.

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