Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple, Trichy

Address

Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple, Gunaseelam, Trichy District – 621 204 Phone: +91 4326 275 210 / 275 310 Mobile: +91 94863 04251

Diety

Prasanna Venkatachalapathy

Introduction

The Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Gunaseelam, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu, is a significant Lord Vishnu temple with a unique history and practices.

Location:

The temple is located in Gunaseelam, in the Trichy District of Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Kollidam River.
It is one of the Abhimana Kshetrams of Lord Vishnu located on the banks of the River Cauvery.

Significance and Festivals:

Visiting this temple, often referred to as “South Thirupathi,” is believed to bring abundant blessings and piety, equivalent to visiting Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple has six daily rituals conducted at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., as well as three yearly festivals.
The annual Brahmotsavam is the main festival, an eleven-day celebration attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.
The temple is known for its unique practice of aiding mentally challenged individuals. People with mental illnesses are brought to the temple and kept on the premises for 48 days. It is believed that this process, along with their prayers to the presiding deity, Lord Prasanna Venkatachalapathy, can lead to a cure for their illness.
The temple has also established a mental health rehabilitation center with the official approval of the Tamil Nadu Government, which is the first of its kind in the state.

Legend of Saint Gunaseelar:

Saint Gunaseelar, a disciple of Saint Sreethalpya, visited Tirumala and had a darshan of Lord Venkateswara. He was so moved by this experience that he requested the Lord to accompany him to his ashram because he couldn’t bear to be apart from Him.
Lord Venkateswara explained that due to a debt, He couldn’t leave Tirumala and instructed Gunaseelar to return to his ashram by the Cauvery River and engage in penance.
Several years later, in Kritha Yuga, Lord Venkatachalapathy appeared in the ashram of Gunaseelar as a Swayambu deity on a Saturday, during the month of Purattasi, under the star Sravana.

Dilemma of Saint Gunaseelar:

At one point, Saint Gunaseelar’s guru, Sreethalpya, desired to go to Badrinath for penance. But Gunaseelar was in a dilemma—whether to accompany his guru or stay with his dear Lord.
He prayed to the Lord to clear his mind and guide him in making the right decision.
Lord Venkatachalapathy blessed Gunaseelar and advised him to serve his guru.
To honor this divine guidance, Gunaseelar made a prayer that all those who pray at the temple should be rid of illusions and delusions and be blessed with clarity of mind. This is why people believe that praying at this temple can cure insanity and madness.

Other Aspects of the Temple:

The temple is known for its Dakshinamurthy idol, which is considered the largest in the country.
The temple’s main deity, Prasanna Venkatachalapathy, is depicted with four hands, holding various divine attributes.
There are rituals and practices related to mental health and the well-being of individuals with various ailments.
The temple has a unique blend of faith and modern treatment for those seeking mental health improvement.

The Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple stands as a center of faith, devotion, and healing, particularly for individuals with mental health challenges. It is known for its unique practices and the blessings of Lord Venkatachalapathy, who is believed to provide mental clarity and cure to those who sincerely seek His grace.