Shri Venkatesa Perumal Temple (Melathiruppathi)

Overview

Shri Venkatesa Perumal Temple (Melathiruppathi) is an abode of Lord Venkatesa Perumal, located in mondipalayam in Tirupur district of Tamil Nadu. The location of the temple is approximately 45 kilometers from the city of coimbatore, in Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam highway, 5 kms east of pasur vilage on the Annur-Sathy Highway. The other possible routes are through Tirupur at a distance of 30km via Avinashi, or through Sathyamangalam at a distance of 27 km via Punjai Piuliampatti.

About The Temple

This temple called Melai Tirupathi, an abode of Sri Venkatesa Perumal (Lord Balaji), sits majestically in the middle of four streets. The “Dwajasthambam” is seen at the entrance. The Bali Peetam and the Kodi Maram (flag post) are seen at the entrance. Further ahead is “Garuda Azhwar” praying to the Lord with folded hands facing the main deity. Ahead are the Maha Mandapam and the Ardha Mandapam. On entering, devotees have a spiritual experience hearing the divine words “Om Namo Narayana” in their hearts. The main deity is in the form of a Swayambu in the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord “Sri Venkatesa Perumal” facing eastward gives his divine darshan to his devotees.

Devotees then come out to the inner “Prakaram” (corridor) of the temple. Moving clockwise, there is the Sannidhi of “Venugopalaswami” and then a passage having the Sannidhi of “Chakrathaazhwar” facing east. Coming back to the inner prakaram (outer courtyard) is the Sannidhi of “Anjanayar”. After the darshan of the Azhwars (the twelve mystic saints), one gets the grace of “Thumbikkai Azhwar” (Lord Ganesa). The Sannidhi of “Alamelumangai Thayar” (Goddess Mahalakshmi) with the having a graceful smile and bestow blessings with her four hands.

The next Sannidhi has “Andal” in a standing posture facing east showering devotees with her blessings. Moving forward we find the idols of Sri Tirupati Venkatachalapathi followed by the ten incarnations (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu and Sri Srirangam Ranganathar. Across the idols one finds the “Lord’s Lotus feet” (Thiruvadi). The traditional “Swarga Vaasal” which is opened every year on Vaikunta Ekadashi which is blessed by the Sannidhi of “Vaikunta Narayanamurthi” along with his consort “Lakshmi Devi”. Finally after the darshan of “Saneeswarar” one can reach the “Kodimaram”.

Other Shrines

Excluding Moolavar and Urchavar, there are Sri Venugopalan Sannathi, Sri Chakarathalwar Sannathi, Sri Anjaneyar Sannathi, Alwargal Sannathi, Sri Thumbikaialwar Sannathi, Sri Mahalakshmi Thayar Sannathi, Sri Andal Sannathi, Dasavatharam Idols, Sri Vaikunta Nathar Sannathi, and Sri Saneeswaran Sannathi.

About The Deity

The main deity Venkatesa Perumal is in the form of Swayambu resembled the shape of a banana flower, which is not a common aspect in vaishnav temples. The vision of the Lord and his benign presence fill the devotees' heart with peace and calm. The presiding deity, (Utsava moorthy) Sri Venkatesa Perumal gives us his darshan along with his consorts, Sri Devi and Bhudevi.

History Of The Temple

The temple was built over a "Suyambu" which was discovered by Kondamanayakkar approximately 300 years ago. At the time of discovering the Suyambu, he was living in the village of alathur, and a strong devotee to lord Venkatesa Perumal. In his dream on a fine day, Lord Venkatesa Perumal incepted the thought of his appearance on a specific day on the current location of the temple. He informed this to the fellow villagers to gather in the place, WhereKondama Naikker asked people to dig the particular place. They found the lord venkatesa perumal the form of a suyambu, a saligramam stone, a conch(sangu), a wheel (Chakkaram) and flat-bell(Chegandi). Later in time, his future generations took care of the temple and its development with help from devotee's contributions.

Poojas

Darshan (open to the public) hours are from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. On festival days the temple opens at 4.30 a.m.

• Adhikalai Poojai: 6:00 AM
• Uchikala Poojai: 12:00
• Saingalam: 6:00 PM

Thirukalyana Utsavam

Performing Thirukalyana Utsavam to the Lord in this temple is considered very special. It is held at the same time (10.30 to 12.00 AM) as the Tirumala Tirupathi temple. The uniqueness is that it is performed as a prayer (Venduthal) by the devotees throughout the year. The wedding ceremony is held amidst recitation of Vedic mantras. It is believed that performing Kalyana Utsavam to the Lord here will bring immense peace and prosperity to the family of the devotees.

Satyanarayana Puja

The special pooja is performed every month on full moon day at around 5 PM . The main homam performed for this is the Sudarshana homam which brings immense gratification to the devotees performing it. The Sudarshana Chakra (the discus of the lord) is the one that always protects his devotees.

It is the main weapon (astram) adorning Lord Vishnu in all his 10 incarnations. The Sudarshana Chakra is the one which is known as the “Chakrathaazhwar”. Devotees performing this pooja will overcome their difficulties and will be blessed with wealth, prosperity, progeny and happiness in their family.

Homams

From time immemorial Yagnas or Homams are performed by devotees to seek the grace of the Lord and to grant happiness and prosperity to his bhaktas. A separate enclosure has been constructed at the temple for performing Homams. These include

• Sudarshana Homam
• Lakshmi Narasimha Homam
• Lakshmi Hayagrivar Homam

These Homams are performed every month (except in the Tamil month of Purattasi). Further details may be obtained by contacting the temple office.

Bhajans

Every month on the 2nd and 4th Saturday (except in the Tamil month of Purattasi), bhajans are performed at the temple. They sing devoutly in praise of Sriman Narayana and devotees join in the religious fervour. This is followed by Annadhanam.

Thirumanjanam (Abhishekam)

Thirumanjanam is performed for the mail deity (Moolavar) on all Saturdays at 7.00 AM and on special days/festivals at the time fixed for the same. Thirumanjanam is performed for all the other deities/Azhwars on the 1st Friday of every Tamil month at about 9.00 AM. Devotees wishing to participate/contribute/donate for the same may contact the temple office.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam is celebrated twice a year for 10 days in the month of Thai (January-February) and 11 days in Margazhi (December-January) which are the two main festivals celebrated in the temples besides Vijayadasami, Ayudha Puja and Saraswathi Puja in Purattasi (September-October), Tirukarthikai in November - December, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Krishna Jayanthi in August-September, Sri Rama Navami in Panguni (March-April) and Saturdays in the month of Purattasi (September-October).

Purattasi Festival

This festival is celebrated with grandeur in the Tamil month of Purattasi (during September/October months) for six consecutive Saturdays. People converge at the temple from across India and overseas. During these days the temple presents a sea of humanity immersed in Bhakthi for the Lord. These Saturdays at the temple begin as early as 4.00 AM with an “Abhishekam” or “Thirumanjanam” Aradhanai for the Lord.

The Maha Deepaaradhanai is performed at noon. In the evening the Lord is taken along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on a majestic Garuda vahanam around the four streets of the temple in a tastefully decorated floral palanquin (Pushpaka Pallakku). The unique feature of this is the bhaktas fulfilling their vows by carrying an arrow shaped “Meravanai”.

For generations people have been following this custom where they remit money in the name of their family members and receive this “Meravanai”. They accompany the palanquin carrying it.

On these days a special Hundi is placed here. It is believed that devotees who wish to make their offerings to Tirupathi Balaji but who are unable to visit Tirupathi Tirumala may place their offerings in this Hundi to receive his blessings.

The entire day is very busy with special programs, bhajans, etc. Annadhanam (free feeding), is carried out throughout the day. To facilitate the transportation for pilgrims, several special buses ply from points in and around Coimbatore and nearby places on these days.

Temple Chariot Festival

This festival commences in the Tamil month of Thai with the Dwajarohana the hoisting of the Garudadwaja (flag with the emblem of black Garuda). Following this, the festival is held for 11 days. The temple chariot is taken around the four streets of the temple on the day of the “punarpoosam” (punarvasa) star.

On the evenings of the festival, the Lord and the consorts are taken around the streets of the temple on vahanams (vehicles) such as “ Anna Vahanam” (peacock), “Simha Vahanam” (Narasimha), “Hanumantha Vahanam” (Hanuman), “Garuda Vahanam” (king of birds), “Pushpaka vimanam”, “Yanai Vahanam” (elephant), “Kudirai Vahanam” (horse), “Sesha Vahanam” (Adishesha – Lord’s serpent).

Thirukalyana Uthsavam is performed the day before the car festival and “Theppotsavam” (Pushkarani or temple tank float) is performed on the day after the car festival. The Garudadwaja is then lowered. The temple wears a very festive look and thousands of devotees shouting “Govinda” throng the temple to participate in this unique festival.

Significance

Devotees who have taken vows to make offering to the lord of the seven hills can fulfill them in Mondipalayam, in the event of their inability to go to Tirupati. The balipeedam of this temple is believed to have extraordinary powers. People possessed by evil spirits, ghosts etc come here to stay and worship and to get rid of their ailments.

How To Reach Mondipalayam Venkatesa Perumal Temple

Air

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore.

Rail

The nearest railway station is at Avinashi.

Road

It is located about 10kms from Puliampatti near Sathyamangalam is the three centuries old Venkatesa Perumal temple in Mondipalayam. There are seven pits to be crossed from Puliampatti before reaching the temple.

Mondipalayam is accessible through Annur-Kanurpudur bus route. The place is about 50 Kms. from Coimbatore on the Avinashi-Mettupalayam road.

Point to Point buses every 10minutes between Sathyamangalam and Coimbatore. Get down at Puliampatti (25kms from Sathyamangalam/35kms from Coimbatore). Buses are available for every 1hour between Puliampatti and Mondipalayam. One can also get down at Sevur on the Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam route (non-point to point buses). From Sevur, Mondipalayam is about 5kms east.

Temple Address

Shri Venkatesa Perumal Temple (Melathiruppathi),
Mondipalayam, Alathur (post),
Cheyur(via), Avinashi (TK),
Tiruppur district,
Pin code no: 641655.