Venkatamudayan Perumal Temple

Venkatamudayan Perumal Temple (Also called as Then Tirupati) is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Ariyakudi near Karaikudi in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. Then Tirupati is 500 years old and is considered to be a distinct change from traditional temples. Garuda, the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu, is shown with two lions on each side. This temple is especially associated with Garuda. The day in the month of Aadi (July-August) called Maha Swathi is considered the birthday of Garuda.

Then Tirupathi temple is considered important next to Srirangam. People who are unable to go to Tirupathi to fulfill vows can alternatively visit this shrine or Uppiliappan in Kumbakonam. The 17th Century AD temple has a connection with Three Divya Desams – The idol of Srinivasa Perumal was the Abhisheka idol of Ramanuja at Srirangam, Shataari is from Tirupathi and Sacred fire (Agni) from Thirukoshtiyur. This is the biggest Vishnu Temple in the Chettinad Region with the 7 Tier Raja Gopuram measuring 80ft. It is located about 4 kms South East of Karaikudi Railway Station on a

huge 3 ½ acre land.

Legend

This is a famous Vaishnava place established by Nattukottai Nagarathar community. Sevukan Chettiar, belonging to this community was a staunch Vishnu devotee. Those who visit him use to place their contributions in the Hundi. Each year Chettiar used to carry the accumulated money on his head and place it at Tirupati temple. He walked the whole distance. As he grew old, on one such trip, he fainted on the way.Lord appeared before him and said that he need not walk at this age and told that he would come to his place himself. Lord asked Chettiar to go towards west & he would spot his place there. He found a Tulsi plant and a coconut shell where the temple now stands. While curing the land for building the temple, the idol of the presiding deity was found. As the devotees did not want to install Perumal alone without his consorts as in Tirupati, he was installed with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

It is considered a distinct change in the tradition and a specialty that Garuda the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu graces with two lions on each side. Special pujas are performed to Garuda on Swati star days each month and a special puja on the Swati Star day in the month of Aadi (July-August) called Maha Swati, the birth day of Garuda.