User:KEELATHIRUVENKATANATHAPURAM

INTRODUCTION:

The temple is located in "Keezha Thiruvengadanaadhapuram", which is just half a kilometer from the famous "Then Thirupathi Shri Venkataachalapathy temple". Due to presence of abundance Red Soil in the area where the temple is located, this place got the name "Sengani", where "Sen" meaning "Red" and "Kani" meaning "Land" in Tamil. The name later changed to "Sangani". This temple lies to the east of "Then Thirupathi Perumal". The place is located about 6 Kms from the Tirunelveli town. MORPHOLOGY OF THE TEMPLE:

The temple is situated at the bank of river “Thamirabharani”. This is an ancient temple. It was built by the king “Verapandian” in 12th century. To the northern side of this temple lies “Kubera vassal” through which devotees enter. This is followed by “Maha mandapam, Artha mandapam and karpagraha”. Over the “karpagraha” lies the double tier flight. Bamboo tree is the “sthala virusha”. (Main tree of the temple)

LORD’S NAMES AND HISTORY:

The lord was placed in this location by “saint brughu”. The mulavar (statue) “Shri varada raja perumal” with his four hands lies in the centre with “sridevi” to the right and “Bhumadevi” to the left. He has “chakra and dhanaregai (money yielding line)” in his right hands and “sangu and kadayutham” in his lefts hands. It is a belief that we would never be in troubles due to lack of money, if we get the money blessed by keeping it in his dhanaregai. “Shri varada raja perumal, sridevi and Chakrathalvar” are present in the karpagraha. “Sannathi karudan and anjenayar” are also present in this temple.

LORD’S BLESSES:

Once in 14th century happened a miracle which led to the fame of the god. A king who ruled nellai in 14th century came to the temple to get blessings from the lord, but the priest was unavailable due to illness. At that time the lord disguised himself as the priest and performed the pooja saving the priest from the king’s punishment. So the lord is often called "Vaazha Veikum Perumal”(The one who saves). All the devotees who pray the lord whole heartedly would surely be blessed by him. BEHIND THE NAME: The lord here is called “thenn kanchi” (thenn-south and kanchi- name of a place). This lord gives all the blessings that we can get from the lord in KANCIPURAM for which the lord in nellai is called as “thenn kanchi”.

SUKRA STHALA:

Since the lord has all the positives in his “Dana regai” this sthala is called as sukra sthala. (Sthala-place)

PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS:

Tonsuring (Offerering hair to the lord), “anga pradhkshanam (rolling round the temple), tuhla baram (offering fruits, gold, coconut etc... for one’s body weight), Abhishegam, marriage to the lord, lifting of the lord... etc are the offerings commonly done here. Many get married in this temple with lord’s blessings. Food items like pongal, Sweet pongal, kesari etc... Are offered to god. It is believed that we could achieve what we think of when we go round the temple for 1008 times during the period of KARTIGAI (15th of Nov to December normally).Keezha Thiruvengadanathapuram is 9 kilometers from Tirunelveli junction. No. 6 bus is available only at fixed hours. It would be convenient to hire an Auto rickshaw to reach the temple easily.

POOJAS:

According to “thenn kalai vaikanasa agamm” the following poojas and timings are followed.

TEMPLETIMINGS: MORNING	EVENING Monday to Friday 7:00 - 11:00	17:00 - 19:30 Saturday	 6:00 - 13:00	17:00 - 20:30 Sunday	         7:00 - 12:00	17:00 - 20:00

KEEZHA THIRUPATHI:-

It resembles the thirupathi. Near this temple about ¼ K.M. to east lies “thenn kalahasthi” temple which crowns Lord SHIVA. First lord shiva is prayed followed by varadharaja perumal and then the thenn thirupathi perumal.

NOTES:-

The temple was in to act from 17.06.2005, i.e. “kumba abishekam” took place on 17.06.2005. And the temple runs with the support of devotees. This temple doesn’t own any property on its own. So the devotees are asked to help to the development of the temple and are asked to receive the blessings of the lord.

•Want to perform special pooja to Varadharaja perumal?

•Want to know more information on temple and the main god?

Then contact:

P.Narayana Bhattachaar, S.Ramakrishnan Bhattachaar, “Shri varada raja perumal” koil, (Kela thiriupathi – kela thiruvenkantanathapuram), 4/12, kela theru, Mela thiruvenkatanatha puram, Thirunelveli – 627006, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: 0462-2341292 Mobile: 98423 15547, 94420 65657