Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple is a noteworthy temple in the small village of Tirumukkudal. There are a number of ancient and beautiful temples to be seen en route to Kanchipuram, turning off the Chennai-TiruchirapaMi highway. This historic area has been ruled in succession by the kings of the Pallava, Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara dynasties. One of these historic shrines is that of Lord Venkatesa situated in the village of Tirumukkudal. The temple is stationed at the opposite bank of the river Palar from the village of Pazhaiya Seevaram where the renowned temple for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is situated.
The village of Tirumukkudal (also renowned as the confluence of three holy streams) is thus named as it is situated at the confluence of the rivers Palar and its tributaries the Cheyyar and the Vegavati. In this place is a small and beautiful temple for Lord Venkatesa is erected. The temple is also called popular in the name of Appan Venkatesa Perumal. As the historical researches have related Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple has been in existence from at least the 9th century A.D., if not earlier. The chronology of the temple is evident from the inscription of the Pallava monarch Nripatungavarman who ruled this domain during that time.
Legend of Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple, Tirumukkudal, South India: - The legends associated with the temple endowed it with a historical significance. The legends describe the story of Raja Tondaiman Chakravarti, an ardent follower of Venkatesa Perumal. The lord Perumal offered the king his sankha and Chakra to save his empire from the foreign invasion. Later the king erected the temple of his Lord in order to offer his veneration to Him.
Architecture of Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Tirumukkudal, South India: - The superb and delicate architecture, which provide artistic grandeur to the temple reveals the craftsmanship of the ancient artists. The imposing image of the presiding deity in a standing posture carrying sankha and chakra is immensely captivating Apart from this the architectural skill are also evident from the fascinating images of Bhu Devi and deities like Garuda, hanuman and others enshrined here.
Festival in Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple, Tirumukkudal: - The festival observed in Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple in Tirumukkudal reveals the cultural significance of this ancient Vishnu temple. A number of festivals are organized in the temple throughout the year. The temple complex is famous as a sacrosanct where a unique festival is held in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) on the day {Mattu Pongal) immediately after Pongal or Sankranti. The festivals are organized with immense pomp and grandeur. On this occasion, Varadaraja Perumal from Kanchipuram travels to the temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha at Pazhaiya Seevaram (on the opposite bank of the Palar) and both these deities make visit the Venkatesa Perumal temple at Tirumukkudal. Here, all the three deities, along with two others from temples close to it give darshan to devotees from the numerous mandapas which are found in the outer enclosure of this temple. Large numbers of people gather on this occasion every year to worship all the deities at one and the same place. During the festival season, the temple complex is filled up with devotees from various places.
Inscriptions of Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple, Tirumukkudal, South India: - The inscriptions provide information about the legend of Sri Venkatesa Temple. Moreover it provides that the temple was a study center during the Chola times. The inscriptions at the same time provide the different names by which the temple is used to be popular during the reign of different dynasties.
