Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple

Overview

The main God here is Prasanna Venkatesar and Amman (Thayar) is Alarmelumangai. This temple is a Perumal Koil.

About the Temple

Alarmelumangai Thaayaar is in a separate sanctum. She is donned with the garland worn by the Lord and is beautified. Generally, in the Vishnu temples the Lord alone appears in the ‘Garuda Seva’. But, in this temple, Thaayaar appears in ‘Garuda Seva’. During Karthigai month, the ‘theertha utsavam’ for nine days is performed for the Thaayaar. At that time, she alights on the Garuda carrier and goes around the prakaaram. There is a separate female-Garuda carrier for this purpose.

About the Deity

The main deity is Vishnu. He is called Prasanna Venkatesar. His consort is Alarmelumangai. Lord Lakshmi Nrsimhar is in separate sanctum facing west. Under His feet is the ‘Nrsimha Yantram’. There are sanctum for Varadarajar, Ramar, Varaahar, Aandaal and Renganathar. In a separate sanctum is Tirumangai Alvar with his wife, Kumudavalli. The frontage of the temple mandapam is sculpted in the form of a chariot. In Sanskrit ‘bairaagi’ means ‘sanyaasi’. Since Perumal appeared before a sanyaasi, this holy place is known as ‘Bairagi Venkatesa Perumal Koil’.

Legend and Stories

Many years ago a Vishnu devotee, Laldas, a sanyaasi lived in this area. Every day he would start his work after meditating on and praying to the Lord of Tirupati. He also had the habit of rendering service as far as he could, to those devotees who went on pilgrimage along this way. For a very long time he nourished a wish in his mind, to go to Tirupati and worship the Lord. But it could not be fulfilled. In course of time this desire became a longing in his mind. The Lord decided to grace him. One night the Lord appeared in Laldas’ dream and asked him to erect a temple in the place where he lived. The happy sanyaasi commenced this work. But he had no money and so asked the people to help him build the temple. None was prepared to help him. So, by using his magical skill, he converted copper into gold. With the money by selling that gold, he began building the temple. People now understood his worth and then gave him money to build the temple. Then an image like that of Tirupati Venkatachalapathi was made and the temple was erected. The Lord manifested in the mind of Laldas and appeared before him. And thus gained the name ‘Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal’

Festivals

10 days Utayavar Utsavam in Chithirai, 10 days’ festival for Varadar in Vaikaasi, Aadip Pooram, Brahmotsavam in Purattaasi, Vaikunta Ekaadasi, Thirukkalyaanam on Panguni Uthiram day, Sri Rama Navami.

Significance

Generally, in the temples the abhishekam water will be given to the devotees in their hands. But in this sanctum, the water is sprinkled on the devotees. The belief is that the water will cure diseases. Couples pray for issues here.

Nearby Place To Visit

Ashtalakshmi Temple
Kantha swamy Temple
Tiruvalleswarar Temple
Marundeeswarar Temple
Masilamani Easwarar Temple
Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Accessibility

The nearest airport is Chennai Airport which is 8 km away. Chennai Meenambakkam. The nearest railway station is in Central, Egmore. Sowcarpet is at a distance of 14 kms from Chennai Egmore and 1 km from the Central. The temple is situated in the General Muthiah 6th street. By going to the Yanaikavuni bus stop and by walking for about 5 minutes we can reach the temple.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Koil,
Bairagi Matam,
General Muthiah 6th Street,
Sowcarpet, Chennai,
Pincode – 600 079.