Vishnu in the Form of Sandalwood Sticks: A Unique Sight in Karungulam Temple

When you visit temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, you will typically see depictions of him in seated, standing, or reclining postures, holding a discus and conch in his upper arms. However, there is something truly unique in the small village of Karungulam near Tirunelveli. Here, two sandalwood sticks are worshipped as Vishnu.

Previously known as Vagulagiri, Karungulam has a rich history detailed in the Vagulagiri Mahatmiyam text. The story goes that King Subhakanthan, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, was suffering from a disease called 'Kanda malai' and had visited many temples seeking a cure. Eventually, he prayed to the lord at the Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati, who appeared in his dream and advised him to make a chariot using sandalwood sticks and install the remaining two posts on the river Tamraparani. The King followed the lord's advice, worshipped Vishnu in the form of two bars, and was cured of his disease.

Another story related to Karungulam involves King Chitrangadha, who suffered from severe stomach pain. He learned from the sage Narada that in his previous birth, he had hunted a male deer that was actually the sage Darbhaya and his wife in disguise, leading to a curse. Following Narada's advice, the King traveled to Vagulagiri, took a dip in the holy river, and worshipped Vishnu, ultimately curing his disease.

The temple dedicated to Venkatachalapati, Vishnu, in the form of two sandal sticks, is located atop a small hill that can be reached via a flight of steps or a motorable road. The site is also known as Southern Tirupati (Then Tirupati). 

Adjacent to the temple is another temple, where Srinivasa is depicted in a standing posture with four arms holding a conch and discus in his upper arms, displaying Anjali mudra in his right lower arm, and having a mace in his left lower arm. Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi flank him.

Inside the Maha mandapa are several deities, such as Krishna with Rukmini and Bhama, Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharya, and Vishwaksena. The outer walls of both the sanctums of Vishnu have shallow demarcations (instead of deep niches/koshtas) with toranas adorning the top, typical of Pandya-era temples. The toranas feature the images of Dakshinamurti on the south, Yoga Narasimha on the west, and Brahma on the north.

Visit Karungulam for a truly unique and spiritual experience, and take in the rich history and stories of this holy site.

Happy travelling.