Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Krishnapuram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Lord Venkatachalapathy. The temple is also known as Thiru Kudanthai or Kudanthai Perumal Kovil.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes) of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be one of the most important temples in South India. It is believed that the temple was built by the Chola dynasty in the 9th century AD and was later expanded by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century AD.
The temple has a unique architectural style reflects the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara styles. The main deity of the temple, Lord Venkatachalapathy, is seen in a standing posture along with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi. The temple also has a separate shrine for the goddess Ranganayaki, the consort of Lord Venkatachalapathy.
One of the major attractions of the temple is its annual festival called Brahmotsavam, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June). During this festival, the deity is taken out on a procession on various vahanas (vehicles), and devotees from all over the world visit the temple to witness the grand celebrations.
Tourists can visit several other temples and places of interest near the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple.
Places To Visit Near Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple:
This temple is located in Thiruvidaimarudur, which is about 10 km away from the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (dedicated to the five elements of nature).
This temple is located in Darasuram, which is about 25 km away from the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures.
This town is located about 5 km from the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple and is known for its numerous temples and historic sites. Some popular temples in Kumbakonam include the Sarangapani Temple, the Kumbeswarar Temple, and the Nageswarar Temple.
Suryanar Kovil:
This temple is located about 20 km away from the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple and is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God). It is one of the navagraha temples (temples dedicated to the nine planets) and is believed to be associated with the planet Sun.
This town is located about 25 km away from the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple and is known for its ancient temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. The temple is believed to have been built by the Chola kings and is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan.
Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a must-visit destination for devotees of Lord Vishnu and for those who are interested in exploring the rich cultural and architectural heritage of South India.