Considered as one of the 108 “Divya Desams”, the sacred Vaishnavite temples visited and sung in praise by Alwars,
The history of the temple dates back to the Chola period and considered to be built during the reign of King Karikal Cholan. Thirumangai Azhwar, the last of the twelve illustrious Alwars, has sung in praise of the Lord in 45 pasurams. The uniqueness of this ancient temple is that the Lord Amaruviappan bestows his grace along with Bhaktha Prahalada, Periya Thiruvadi Garudan, Sage Markandeyar and Kaveri Thayaar (river Kaveri) in the sanctum sanctorum. The imposing posture Lord Amaruviappan of standing majestically over ten feet facing east with broad shoulders and four hands is a sight of delight. While Bhaktha Prahalada stands piously on the right side of the Lord and Periya Thiruvadi Garudan stands on the left side. Kaveri Thayyar kneels down in front of the Lord with folding hands on the left and sage Markandeyar is seated on the right in front of the Lord.
Goddess Sengamalavalli Thayaar is housed in a separate sanctum sanctorum. The beauty of the Goddess Sengamalavalli Thayaar is beyond words. Besides the temple has separate sannadhis for, Sri Vasudeva in which Sage Agasthiyar is seated in front of the Lord doing penance, Sri Narasimha, Sri Rama, Sri Vishvaksenar, Sri Anchaneya, Sri Desikar, Alwars, Sri Andal and Poet laureate Kambar who wrote the famous epic ‘Kamba Ramayanam” in Tamil. Therazhundur is also the birth place of Kambar.
While the “Moola Vigrahams” sculpted out of granite are the outcome of the classic works of artistry and grace, the “Utsava Murthis” made out of “Panchalogam” are the epitome of master craftsmanship that defies age. The benevolent smile that is exhibited on the face of the “Utsava Murthi” of the Lord can wipe out all our miseries at one glance. Such a graceful smile, which appears as if he is smiling only at when you stand before HIM, is not seen in any other vigraha murthi any where else. The beautiful pose of Goddess Sengamalavalli Thayaar seated on a Lotus sporting an unassuming smile with two imposing elephants holding garlands by the sides, is a glorious sight that soothes one’s heart and soul.
Besides our ancient “puranas” describe “Therazhundur” as one of the “Pancha Krishnaranyams”, the scared places where Lord Krishna is said to have enacted several of his playful acts. The other four places are “Thirukannapuram’, “Thirukannmangai”, “Thirukannankudi” and “Thirukabisthalam”.
About the sabha
Sri Gosaka Baktha Sabha was started in the early eighties with a prime purpose of conducting the annual festivals, pujas and other temple related works at Sri Amaruviyappan temple, Therazhundur. Since then the sabha has been lending its services to the noble cause of conducting “utsavams” for Shri Amaruviappan and Sengamalavalli Thayaar with pomp and gaiety. The utsavams are being conducted in a grand manner year after year through generous donations of the Bhakthas. Also a sister organisation named DIVYA DESA NITHYARADHANA KAINKARYA SAMITHI funds the
Project completed successfully:
The temple is also famous for its “Ratham” (the temple car). In the past “Rath othsavam” was celebrated with fanfare. But unfortunately the Ratham was destroyed some four decades back in a fire. Since the annual “Rathothsavam” was conducted on a make shift chariot every year. The Bhakthas felt the need for constructing a new one and last year Sri Gosaka Bhaktha Sabha completed the task with the grace of the Lord. Due to its untiring efforts over the years, the sabha succeeded in conducting the “Rathothsavam” after a gap of fifty long years. It was indeed a marvelous sight to see the Lord Amaruviappan decked up in the new huge “Ratham” and being pulled around the streets of Therazhundur with devotional fervour.
THE PRESENT PROJECT:
After successfully completing the mammoth task of building a new “Ratham”, Sri Gosaka Bhaktha Sabha has now embarked upon a massive project of renovating the entire temple.
The last Samprokshanam of the temple was performed in the year 1992 by the Sabha. The next Samprokshanam is overdue as it is normally performed once in twelve years. But unfortunately now the most of the temple premises are now craving for immediate attention. The front mandapam (entrance) of the Thayyar sannadhi has developed major cracks and the ceiling is also damaged with gapping holes. The vasantha mandapam (resting hall) is in a dilapidated condition. The pushkarani (temple tank) is completely damaged with the steps broken all over the places. The roof of the Thirumadapalli (temple kitchen) has plasters peeled off and falling down day by day. The other areas of the temple including the Raja Gopuram (main tower) Vimanams (roofs of the sanctum sanctorums) of various sannadhis, and Vahana mandapam, (store room) also need to be repaired.
Sri Gosaka Baktha Sabha Trust has constituted a “Thirupani Committee” (Renovation Committee) consisting of eminent persons, the Executive Officer and the fit person of the temple and the members of the sabha to undertake and execute the renovation work. The committee would like to carry out this mammoth task of completing the repair works attending to detail in every aspect in such a way that not a rupee is required to be spent on repair works for the next 30 to 40 years except for carrying out the routine maintenance work.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu Government has approved the constitution of the committee and authourised them to carry out the works. The estimate approved by the HR&CE department amounting to Rs.54 Lacs. (Rupees Fifty Four lacs only) caters to carrying out the immediate essential work based on the Government schedule of rates. It has not provided for cost escalation and some other repair works which need to be done such as repairing of the existing “Vahanams”, installation of new “Dwajasthambam” and provision of water supply to the temple tank, landscaping and developing the garden and also for the Samprokshanam expenditures. We have estimated that the total expenditure would exceed Rs.1 cr. (Rupees one crore only) in order to carry out all these repair and maintenance work to perfection. We have also approached the Tamil Nadu Government for a suitable grant to carry out these tasks, which if granted is not likely to exceed Rs.20 lakhs. So the onus is on us, “The Bhakthas”, to mobilise the balance funds.
We appeal to all the bhakthas, philanthropists, business people and corporates to help us in this noble cause of conducting the “Samprokshanam” of Sri Amuruviappan and seek his blessings. We welcome people who could take up some portion of the work as “donor work” or provide monetary support as well as supplying the required material for this divine task.
Take a close look at the following pictures which clearly portrays the precarious condition of the temple :
Please note that all donations carry “Tax Benefits under section 80-G”. The cheques may kindly be drawn in favour of “SRI GOSAKA BAKTHA SABHA TRUST” and sent to the following address: Shri T P Ranganathan
President , Sri Gosaka Baktha Sabha
18, Vasanth Apartments ,11,
T Nagar, Chennai -17. Ph: 044 – 2432 2299.
Shri A Devanathan
Secretary, Sri Gosaka Baktha Sabha
48-B,
Tambaram, Chennai -47. Ph:044- 2223 5633.
ANNEXURE
ABSTRACT OF THE ESTIMATES OF THE RENOVATION WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN
| S. No. | Description of Work | Amount |
| 1. | Perumal Vimanam | Rs. 1.02 Lacs |
| 2. | Raja Gopuram | Rs .4.24 Lacs |
| 3. | Thayyar Vimanam | Rs. 1.20 Lacs |
| 4. | Thayyar Sannadhi Maha Mandapam | Rs. 6.60 Lacs |
| 5. | Andal Sannadhi | Rs. 0.48 Lacs |
| 6. | Alwar Sannadhi | Rs. 0.82 Lacs |
| 7. | Thiru Madapalli | Rs. 3.30 Lacs |
| 8. | Vanatha Mandapam | Rs. 6.63 Lacs |
| 9. | Yoga Narasimhar Sannadhi | Rs. 0.03 Lacs |
| 10. | Perumal Sannadhi Maha Mandapam | Rs. 2.36 Lacs |
| 11. | Outer Compound wall | Rs. 2.96 Lacs |
| 12. | Inner Compound Wall | Rs. 1.88 Lacs |
| 13. | Flooring of Prakaram with Precast slabs | Rs. 4.40 Lacs |
| 14. | Anjaneyar Sannadhi | Rs. 0.19 Lacs |
| 15. | Kambar Sannidhi | Rs. 0.045 Lacs |
| 16. | Yaga Salai | Rs. 0.250 Lacs |
| 17. | Katta Gopuram | Rs. 0.470 Lacs |
| 18. | Thirumalpati Mandapam | Rs. 0.940 Lacs |
| 19. | Repairs and Renovation of Pushkarni | Rs. 9.100 Lacs |
| 20. | Construction of RCC Vahana Mandapam | Rs. 6.750 Lacs |
| 21. | Thirumangai Alwar sannidhi | Rs. 0.325 Lacs |
Note: The estimate for the above works are based on the Government Schedule of Rates only and are to be revised, taking in to account of actual cost of materials involved and also for the cost escalation.
Further the following repair works are to be carried out along with the main renovation works.
1) Installation of new “Dwajasthambam”
2) Repairs to the existing Vimanams
3) Making new Vahanams
4) Provision of water supply to Pushkarani
5) Landscaping and developing garden
6) Developing a Nandavanam
7) Repairs and renewal of rooms adjacent to Paramapadavassal (Both sides)
8) Construction of a shed adjacent to Vahana Mandapam for keeping “
Pattarai” Vehicles
9) Construction of a RCC Mandapam between Thayaar Sannadhi and
Thiruvandikappu Mandapam
10) Maha Samprokshanam
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