Basic information about the temple
| Moolavar: | Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal | Ambal / Thayar: | Alarmelmangai, Padmavati Thayar |
| Deity: | Perumal | Historical name: | |
| Vriksham: | Teertham: | ||
| Agamam: | Age (years): | ||
| Timing: | to & to | Parikaram: | |
| Temple group: | – | ||
| Sung by: | Temple set: | ||
| Navagraham: | Nakshatram: | ||
| City / town: | Veppathur | District: | Thanjavur |
| Maps from (click): | Current location | Kumbakonam (10 km) | Mayiladuthurai (29 km) |
| Tiruvarur (42 km) | Thanjavur (51 km) |
Location
Sthala puranam and temple information
There is a view that in every yugam, the Ramayanam takes place in a different part of Bharat. In that context, this temple’s puranam is connected with the Ramayanam that took place in the south. When Rama was in exile, he is believed to have come here, after killing Maricha, to expiate his sin. Impressed by this, Vishnu, in the form of Venkatachalapati (Venkatesa Perumal) came here with Alarmel Mangai and gave Rama His divine vision.
According to another puranam, Krishna is said to have bestowed Sage Agastyar with mantropadesam here.
An interesting facet of this temple is the Sangeethi Anjaneyar here, who is depicted as a child. Devotees worship Anjaneyar here with vettrilai malai (garland of folded betel leaves) and pray for begetting children.
In ancient times – possibly over 2000 years ago – Veppathur was considered a centre of knowledge and learning, and was referred to as Ghatika Sthanam, recognised for spiritual and philosophical education and culture. Perhaps because of this, during Chola times, this place was called Chola Marthanda Chaturvedi Mangalam. The Chola king of the time (unknown, but 10th-12th century) is also said to have given the adjoining village of Bhagavatapuram for use as residences, while continuing their academic pursuits at Veppathur, which attracted students and scholars from far and wide. For this reason, it is said that the place used to be called Vedamur, which over time has become Veppathur. According to another version, this place was called Nimmagramam in Sanskrit, which became Veppathur in Tamil. The place flourished as a learning centre during Pallava, Chola and even the period of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
Perumal here is believed to fulfil all wishes of devotees. To this end, devotees perform abhishekam in the morning and light the akhanda deepam in the evening, praying for their wishes to come true. They are said to be rewarded with the dual benefits of Sanga Nidhi and Padma Nidhi, Kubera’s chief wealth.
In addition to the usual festivals, Narasimha Jayanti, Akshaya Tritiya and Vijayadasami are celebrated with pomp at this temple. The temple’s proceedings also include daily chanting of Vishnu Sahasranamam, regular Veda parayanam and chanting of Bhagavatam. Also, for three days every month, there are continuous morning-to-evening upanyasams followed by distribution of vast quantities of prasadam.
This temple is regarded as one of the oldest structural temples in Tamil Nadu, and is said to be over 2000 years old, and the core temple is said to be ageless. Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is depicted as Krishna giving the Geetopadesam.
Kanchi Maha Periyavaa has visited this temple and spent a lot of time here in this village. The temple is said to house a pair of padukas worn by Periyavaa.
Other Information for your visit
When we visited the temple in October 2021, it was in the early stages of undergoing renovation, in preparation for kumbhabhishekam that took place in early April 2022. The temple must now be presenting a beautiful sight to visitors.
Veppathur has several temples of importance including:
Aatheeswarar temple
Govindaraja Perumal temple
Kailasanathar (Kamakshi Amman temple)
Kasi Viswanathar temple
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple
Sundareswarar temple
Contact
Narayana Bhattar: 73052 08099
Gallery
TN Temples Project 