Mela Tirunvenkatanathapuram

Tirunelveli, nestled along the serene banks of the Tamraparani river in southern Tamil Nadu, stands as a beacon of history and spirituality. Within its picturesque environs lie numerous scenic vistas and temples awaiting exploration. Among these, Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram emerges as a quaint village nestled on the Tamraparani's shores near Tirunelveli. Here, amidst the tranquility, rests the ancient Venkatachalapati temple, beckoning us to delve into its profound significance and storied past.

Legend

The site, often revered as the Southern Tirupati akin to the Kariya Manicka Perumal temple in Tirunelveli Town, shares a profound legend steeped in devotion and divine grace.

According to the ancient lore, Sage Paila, a devout disciple of Vyasa, dwelled in the region, offering daily meditations to Srinivasa Perumal. In the absence of a dedicated Vishnu temple in the region, Paila's unwavering devotion led him to envision offering one crore flowers mentally to the deity. One auspicious day, his devout prayers materialized into a luminous Jyoti, with the Tamraparani river flowing beneath, bestowing blessings upon the sage. From this celestial light emerged the divine form of Venkatachalapati, answering Paila's prayers. At the sage's behest, the deity chose to reside permanently in the village, assuming the form visible to all devotees.

In response to Vishnu's divine presence, Sage Paila was instructed to craft an icon from a colossal rock atop the hillock, thus earning the site the moniker 'Swayam Vyakta Kshetram.' Another rendition of the legend suggests that Paila discovered three extraordinary stones defying the river's current, which he fashioned into the images of Venkatachalapati, Sri Devi, and Bhoo Devi.

References to this sacred locale can be traced in  Tamraparani Mahatmiyam, specifically under the chapter titled 'Saal Vaali Puram,' denoting its historical significance.

It is said that King Venkatappa Naicker, blessed by Lord Srinivasa with offspring, undertook the grand construction of the temple, thus immortalizing his name in the village's nomenclature.

History

According to an inscription unearthed within this temple, Viswanatha Nayakka made significant contributions to its development after taking a sacred dip in the river in the Kollam year 722 (1547 CE). This suggests that the temple predates the 16th century. Nevertheless, numerous renovations and expansions have occurred over the past few centuries, adding to its historical legacy.

Temple Layout:

Perched atop a hillock, the temple overlooks the serene banks of the Tamraparani river. Twelve steps leading atop the hill are considered as twelve Alvars. It has a three-tiered Gopuram at the entrance.

Facing eastward, the sanctum houses the principal deity Venkatachalapati, flanked by his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, all in standing posture. Venkatachalapati is depicted with four arms, wielding the conch and discus.

Within the Ardha mandapa, bronze images of Garuda and Hanuman grace the surroundings, with Garuda depicted in a rare form holding the conch and discus. Adjacent to the mandapaa, sub-shrines dedicated to Ramanujar, Senai Mudaliar, and Vishvaksena stand in reverence.

The Mukha mandapa is adorned with intricately carved pillars. Some sculptures even depict Shaivite deities such as Subramanya. Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are found in two separate shrines in the prakara.

The outer prakara is literally on the hill.

One of the most revered festivals here is the Garuda Seva, drawing thousands of devotees from across the state annually in September and October. Often hailed as the "Then Tirupati," or the southern Tirupati, this temple holds immense significance, believed to bestow blessings upon childless couples, earning it the title of a Prartana Sthalam.

Happy travelling.