The visit to this Sri Thiruvenkatamudaiyan Temple at Ariyakudi, near Karaikudi was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples of Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts Visit on 23rd & 24th September 2023. This temple is also known as “Then Tirupati – தென் திருப்பதி”. This place was called as Harikudi during Pandya period. The name Harikudi meaning village of the Lord which in course of time became Ariyakudi.
Moolavar : Sri Thiruvengadam Udayan, Tiruvenkatamudaiyan
Consort : Sri Alarmel Mangai
Some of the salient features of this Temple are...
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The second level rajagopuram is of 2 tiers. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Garudan are after the 2 and level rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Thiruvengadam Udayan is in standing posture with abhaya and kadi hastam. The upper hands are holding Shankha and chakra. There is no images in the koshtams.
In praharam Thayar Sri Alarmel Mangai, Andal, Vedantha Desikar and Vishwaksena.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam, adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam and kapotam. The kostas are sala type.
The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus. The nasikudus has the flower motifs. The Yazhivari is above the kapotam. Makara thundam are shown beautifully.
The construction is very much similar to Vijayanagara architecture. Mandapa pillars has beautiful sculptures. It consists of various Deities, animals, flower motifs etc. A dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple was built with big paraharam on all the 4 sides with beautifully carved pillars. The granite stones required for constructing the temple was sourced from nearby hills.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the Sivagangai Mavatta Tholliyal kaiyedu, Sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam was constructed about 168 Years before by AL. K. M. R Sevukan Chettiar. The temple was expanded with a 50 feet tall rayagopuram in 1916 CE at a cost of Rs 5.5 Lakhs.
This is the birth place of Sri Ramanuja Ayyangar, one of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi. This place was praised as “அரியக்குடி நகர் அத்தனை பேர் அத்தனையும் வரிசைக்குடியாக வாழ்க” by the Asukavi Muthappa Chettiar.
This Thiruvengadam Udayan temple alias, “Then Tirupati”, Samprokshanam was carried out after thirupani of Thiruvengadam Udayan, Alarmel Mangai Thayar, Andal, Chakravarthi Thirumagan ( Ramar ), Vedantha Desikar, Vishwaksena, Ardha mandapam, Parivara mandapa praharam, Vimanam Swarnabhishekam, Utsava mandapam, Leela mandapam on 21st April 1902. The donors Sevukan Chettiar and Sathappan Chettiar, whose statues are on the mandapa pillars.
Again Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 16th September 1999 and on 26th March 2018.
The temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.
Donor sculpture on the Pillars
LEGENDS
As per the legend one of the Nattukottai Chettiar called Sevukan Chettiar used to accept money meant for Tirupati Balaji Temple from the Devotees and deposit in Balaji Temple at Tirumala. He used to walk all the way from Chettinad. On one such occasion, due to age he fell down on the way. Thiruvengada Perumal appeared before him and advised him not to come Tirumala instead, construct a temple at Chettinad and offer there itself. Hence this temple is called as “Then Tirupati”. The spot where the temple has to come up was indicated by Thiruvengada Perumal, with the Thulasi plant and Coconut shell. It was told that the moolavar was unearthed from the same place where the sanctum Sanctorum was constructed.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Poojas are conducted as per vaikhanasa agamam. Apart from usual festivals, special poojas and celebrations are conducted at Tirupati are conducted here also.
One of the special offerings is the coconut breaking. On the north side praharam wall Garuda statue is installed on the wall. Devotees used to break the coconut on the wall..
Devotees prays Sri Thiruvengadam Udayan and Sri Alarmel Mangai for child boon, to remove the marriage obstacle, to get good jobs, to get cured from incurable deceases, to get rid of black magic like billi, soonyam, eval etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number +914565231299 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This Arulmigu Tiruvenkadamudaiyan Temple, Ariyakudi is on the South Side of Karaikudi, about 4.5 KM from Karaikudi Bus stand, 16 KM from Devakottai, 20 KM from Pillayarpatti and 38 KM from district Head Quarters Sivaganga.
The nearest railway station is Karaikudi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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