THESENDRAYA PERUMAL TEMPLE ,NEAR VATALAGUNDU BUSTAND - DINDIGUL DISTRICT, TAMILNADU
Introduction The Sendraya Perumal temple is an ancient hill templededicated to Lord Vishnu, featuringa unique deity with a twisted moustache and praying hands. It islocated near the Vatlagundu bus stand and is believed to be about 1,000 yearsold. The temple has approximately 500 steps to climb and now a rough steep vehicle path is available. Thetemple is known for its unique features, including amandapam called "Chitra Ratha Mandapam" and the belief is that the deity providesboons for children, peace, prosperity, and a healthy life. My note- Dindugal isfamous for it’s superior quality Locks manufacturing in Tamiladu. For reachingKodaikanal the main base station is Vatalagundu. Iwas the first junior Engineer atKodaikkanal and worked there for 2 years. Temple details Deity: Lord Vishnu depicted in a unique form with a twisted moustacheand hands in a praying gesture. Location: A hill temple on the outskirts of Dindigul, a fewkilometers from the Vatlagundu bus stand. Age: Approximately 1,000 years old. Structure: Requires climbing about 500 steps to reach thetop. Features 48 pillars, which are believed to represent a Mandaladuration (48 days). Includes a mandapam called "Chitra Ratha Mandapam,"where the deity is said to have drunk milk. Worship: Devotees believe the temple grants boons for childbirth, peace, prosperity, and a healthy life. Unique feature: A belief exists that the Chitra Rath Mandapamacknowledges prayers, as devotees' hands placed on its corners are said to movecloser together. Deity's form: A unique aspect of this temple is the presidingdeity, Chendraya Perumal, iswith folded hands, and without a discusor conch. Accessibility: The temple is situated on a small hill and canbe reached by climbing around 400 to 500 steps, or by a vehicle road. Legend The temple was built after the deity appeared as a boy to aKrishna devotee named Chennama Naicker, who belonged to the Krishnadevarayadynasty. He saw the boy drinkingmilk from a cow that had not yet delivered a calf. The deity thentold Naicker that he wished to stay on the hill. Legend -detail About 1000 years ago, Adi Chennama Nayak, who was grazingcows in this area, went missing one day and searched for one of his cows. Whenhe went to the top of the mountain in search of the cow, he found the cowmilking a boy. While he waswondering how the boy came to the mountain, Lord Perumal appeared before himand said that if a temple was built on this mountain and worshipped, the peopleof this area and those who come and worship here would get what they wanted,and all the blessings that their family would give to the devotees in thistemple would be fulfilled. Since then, the descendants of Adi Chennama Nayakhave built this temple and have been performing pujas and special worships. According to anotherlegend there is anothersub-story regarding how Krishna came as a small lad here. The Krishna idol kept in Bodinayakanur palacesomehow came to a poor lady in one of the nearby villages. She did not know thesignificance of the idol and kept it in a pot along with castor seeds. When thecastor purchasers came there, she gave the pot to them. When the traders were carrying the pot, the Lord came out of the idol asa small boy and ran away to the mountain. History While the exact origins of the temple are not widelydocumented, it has long been a spiritual centre for the local community. Thetemple is in existence for more than 1000 years. Architecture The temple is an important spiritual centre for devotees inthe region and is known for its traditional Dravidian architecture. The templecomplex features intricately carved pillars and a sanctum sanctorum where thedeity is enshrined. The temple has several notable features, including a flagpost with sculptures depicting its history and a special mandap where the Lordis said to have drunk milk. It is a site ofpilgrimage, especially during festivals when devotees gather to offer prayersand participate in rituals. This style is characteristic of South Indian templeconstruction, emphasizing both spiritual and artistic grandeur. Deities As the Lord is in the child phase, He is alone in the mainshrine. Only the Utsavar appears with Rukmani and Satyabhama. How the Perumal ishaving moustache The question arises regarding the child with moustache andbeard. For that, there is anotherstory. When Brahma committed an offence,Shiva removed one of His heads and this head stuck to Shiva’s hand and He couldnot get it dislodged. With the head inHis hand, Shiva went to Indralokam. Vishnu followed him in the guise of a joker with moustache and beard ina peculiar dress. He started dancing there and when this funny dancestarted, everyone including Brahma’s head started laughing. The Head then fell from Shiva’s hand. That avatar of Vishnu is believed to be present here and hence themoustache and beard. As thedance in this peculiar attire took place in the Deva Sabha, it is calledDevarattam. Deva prasna In the recent past,after performing the traditional Prasnam, it was decided to decorate the Lordin the same way Balaji isdecorated in Tirupati. Similarly,on the outer kavacham, Lakshmi’s image is embossed on the chest. Poojas As per tradition, after construction of temple Nayak’s eldest son got the right of performing poojasin this temple. Google search- The temple follows the SriPancharatha Agama tradition, and typically, the priests (known as Bhattars orAyyans) in these temples are from the Brahmin class now. Etymology As the local peoplebelieved that this Lord goes ( Sendru in Tamil ) to the devotees to take careof them, He is called Sendru Raya Perumal which became Senraya or ChendrayaPerumal. Poojas and Templetimings The temple's timings can vary, and it is best to confirmbefore visiting. Weekdays: The temple is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m. Saturdays: The hours are often extended on Saturdays, whichis a particularly significant day for worship. It may be open from 5:00 a.m. to9:00 p.m. Purattasi month: During the Tamil month of Purattasi(September-October), the temple sees large crowds, especially on Saturdays.Special pujas are held during this time. Festivals Every alternate year, the annual festival is held on theTamil New year Day. On the last Fridayof Panguni ( April), Perumalcomes down to the foothills and remain there for 3 days during which time,Devarattam is performed. It is believed that when it is performed before the Lord, Healso dances! On Saturday, the marriagewith Rukmani and Sathyabhama is performed. The village peoplecome with all the paraphernalia and invite the Lord to visit their homes. The Lord is taken around the village. On the last day, girls play with turmeric water,sprinkling it on the Lord ( similar to the Gopikas in Brindavan ). When the festivities over, the Lord is kept in a simple hutand all the ornaments would be removed and He would be adorned only with asaffron cloth to denote, that at the end, everything is to be left behind in this world. He goes back to the hill shrine in this dress. Similarly, KrishnaJayanthi ( Janmashtami ) is also performed in a big way. On that day, at mid night, Krishnar would be put in a cradle and a dropof honey would be applied on his tongue. Like the traditional deliveries when the mothers are given theconcoction of Garlic, Palm jaggeery and Hing, here this mixture is kept in theshrine as an offering. As we do at homeon Janmashtami, here they also offer Murukku, Seedai, Adirasam etc. to the Lordas prasadam. Young girls play a gamecalled Kitti Pandu . Another important functionis the three day yagna during Onam festival. On the last day, the garland worn by Goddess Andal in Srivilliputhur is brought here andput on the Murthy. The similarity between Srirangam and thistemple in this issue, is noticeable. The main mandapam ishaving 48 pillars indicating one Mandalam, the normal period for any vratha. There is a small Dhyana Mandapam in the placewhere the Lord first appeared and it is with 8 pillars to represent theAshtaksha Mantra ( Om Namo Narayana ). People without issues, come here and pray for children. Specialty The uniqueness of this temple is that the Lord appears withmoustache and beard and hence this temple is popularly known as Meesaiperumaltemple. He does hold even the conch andthe disc and appears with folded hands which is not seen in any othertemple. Devotees The temple is worshipped mainly by people belonging to theKambalathu Nayak caste. The priests who perform the puja also perform fortunetelling. Devotees worship here for prosperity, high farm yields, weddings, andchild boons. Cultural Importance: The temple serves as a hub for various religious festivalsand community gatherings. During major festivals, the temple sees large crowdsof devotees who come to offer prayers, participate in rituals, and celebratetogether. Location The temple's location near the Old Batlagundu Bus Stand makesit easily accessible for visitors. Address Sendraya Perumal temple, Near Old Batlagundu Bus StandBatlagundu, Dindigul District, Pin 624202, Tamilnadu- India Trustees andadministration The heirs of Chennama Nayangara are traditionally appointedas trustees of this temple, which is under the control of the Tamil NaduGovernment Hindu Religious Endowments Department. How to reach thetemple This place is around 38 Kms from Dindigul. After reaching Batlagundu, one has to takebus or auto for 3 kms to reach this place. Bus services are very limited andhence engaging an auto is advised. The templeis on top of a hill which could be reached by climbing the nearly 500 steps orthrough the rough road constructed. Experienceddrivers can ride the vehicle through the rough steep road constructed. Compiled and posted byR.Gopalakrishnan on 09-11-2025 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/210114569.3658260.1762670329641%40mail.yahoo.com.
