Om Namo Narayana: September 2011

South Vittalapuram Temple

(Dakshina Pandaripuram)

500 year old Vijayanagara period temple looks for support from devotees.

Located 15kms east of Tirunelveli in a remote village near Seydunganallur off the Tiruchendur Highway is the 500 year old Panduranga Vittaleswarar Perumal Koil in Vittalapuram. This is one of the two ancient Panduranga temples in India and is referred to as Dakshina Pandaripuram. Lord Vittaleswarar Perumal is a swayambumurthy in the temple.

Vittal mean is often depicted as a dark young boy, standing arms-akimbo on a brick.

With his handsome looks and ‘hands on hips’ posture, Vittaleswarar Perumal accompanied by his wives Raghumayi & Sakkubai, seen here with Rukmini and Satyabhama, steals the heart of every devotee who visits this temple.

The story goes that Lord Panduranga of Pandaripuram (Maharashtra) appeared in the dreams of Vittalaraya, the Vijayanagara Chieftain who had camped near Tirunelveli on his way to a battle against the Travancore King and expressed His desire to provide darshan in the South of India as well.

As per the instructions, Vittalaraya came to this village and found the Pandaripuram idol buried on the banks of the Porunai (Tamirabarani) River. He installed the Panduranga idol and built this temple, a few kms west of the river, and named the village as Vittalapuram (previously called Nattarkulam).

Vittalaraya built the town Vittalapuram after his name and raised the temple and installed Lord Panduranga. Pleased with his devotion, Lord appeared before Vittalaraya and asked what he wanted. The ruler begged the Lord to bless all His devotees with all prosperity and happy life. The Lord, pleased with this selfless prayer, granted the wish.

Victory without a battle:

Having obtained the blessings of Lord Panduranga, Vittalaraya continued on his campaign with his huge army and reached Suchindrum, near Kanniyakumari. In a sudden turn of events and much to his delight, the Travancore ruler agreed for a favourable settlement without entering the battle field. Happy at this quick and positive end to his campaign, and as a thanking gesture, Vittalaraya returned to the Panduranga temple in Vittalapuram. Camping here, he put in place a process and the finances for a daily six time pooja as well as the conduct of festivals round the year.

Deities:

Lord Vittaleswarar graces with His hand on the hip looking all merciful. The procession deity, with His four hands graces with Raghumayi & Sakkubai East Facing Standing Posture. Utsavar Panduranga Bhoomadevi, Sridevi and Neeladevi near the sanctum. There are also separate shrines in corridor-prakara for Bhama, Rukmini, Senai Mudalvar, and Udayavar. Rukmini shrine is aesthetically constructed.

Prarthana Sthalam:

Before appearing for their first stage performance (arangettram) artists qualified in Music and dance, offer worship to Lord Panduranga in the temple. Devotees offer milk peda (Thirattupal in Tamil) as nivedhana for child born and happy wed locks.

It is believed that Lord Panduranga immediately fulfils the wishes of devotees who visit this temple and offer their prayers with sincerity.

Devotees offer milk porridge (Pal Payasam) to the Lord praying for children’s educational progress.

Inscriptions:

Though one does not find exquisite sculptures here like the ones inside Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple (another Vijayanagara period – renovated- temple) located 2kms from here, there are several inscriptions relating to contributions made as well as festivities undertaken during different periods of time.

Kumbabhishekam:

A temple that for centuries witnessed grand celebrations including 10 day Utsavams and processions on different Vahanams now wears a rather deserted look. With a major contribution coming in from the Sringeri Mutt and support from local people, the Kumbabhishekam was held in July 02, 2009.Previous Kumbabhishekam was held 106 years ago.

Insufficient Funds:

However, much remains to be done to get the temple back to its glory days. There is still renovation work to be completed including construction of compound walls. Currently, the temple does not have a permanent Bhattar. With financial support from 3-4 families here, 2 Kala pooja is being done and that with the help of a (temporary) Bhattar who comes from the nearby Alukudi Village. Only Vaikunta Ekadesi, Thiru Karthigai and Margazhi Utsavams are being celebrated. There are not sufficient funds to even purchase flowers for the Lord.

Facts:

Moolavar: Vittaleswarar Perumal accompanied by his wives Raghumayi & Sakkubai East Facing

Standing Posture,

Utsavar : Panduranga, Bhoomadevi, & Sridevi

Thayer : Rukmini and Satyabhama thanikkovil nachiyar’s (Separate Sannidhi’s)

Temple Time: 7am-12noon and 5pm-8pm

How to reach Vittalapuram:

Buses every half hour between Tirunelveli and Vittalapuram temple (Route Nos. 11A, 23B and 3G). One can also take the Tiruchendur bound express bus and get down at Seydunganallur and reach the temple (3kms North) in an auto The other option is to take the Tuticorin bound bus and get down at Vasavapuram and reach the temple (3kms South) in an auto

Virtual (Photos) Tour:

Let us walk through the temple.

Main Entrance

This is the Main Entrance of the Vittalapuram temple.

16 pillar Mandapa

(This picture was taken before Kumbabhishekam.)

There is a 16 pillar mandapa in the front side of the temple followed by a large one with the flag post (Thuwajastambam) and Balipeetam.

Thuwajastambam & Balipeetam

The flag post (thuwajastambam) is taller than the tower (Raja Gopuram)

Thuwajastambam is longer than Raja Gopuram

View from Upstairs of temple.

Outer prakara

This is outside Prakara

Outside view from Thuwajastambam

(This picture was taken before Kumbabhishekam)

The 16 pillar mandapa – view from north mada street

Maha Mandapa

After the Garuda (eagle vehicle of the Lord) sanctum sanctorum.

This is called Maha mandapam. This is mostly used for Deities Marriage and Bhajans, satsang,

Rukmini Thayer sanctum

Right side of main Lord Sanctum

Bhama Thayer sanctum

Left side of main Lord Sanctum

Lord Vittalaraya sanctum

This is the Lord Vittalaraya sanctum – view from Maha Mandapa

Artha mandapa & Karpagriha

(This picture was taken before Kumbabhishekam)

This is Artha mandapa before step of main sanctum.

Inside of Karpagriha:

Vittaleswarar Perumal handsome looks and ‘hands on hips’ posture accompanied by his wives Raghumayi & Sakkubai.

Utsavar Panduranga four hands graces accompanied by Bhoomadevi, Sridevi and Neeladevi near the sanctum

In the four pillar mandapa following celebrations are contact, Utsavam time Utsavar Panduranga, Bhoomadevi, Sridevi and Neeladevi do the Thirumanjanam & alangkaram,and pooja.

Left hand side of Maha Mandapam