Arulmigu Sri Venkatachalapathi Temple Krishnapuram — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Arulmigu Sri Venkatachalapathi Temple is located in Krishnapuram, Tamil Nadu at a distance of 14 Kms from Tirunelveli. The sculptures of this temple is globally famous. Venkatachalapathi Temple is alternative to those who have prayer commitments to Tirupati.

The poetic imagination of the sculptor is imminent in the various scluptures of the temple. Stones speak in this temple. Every sculpture is apiece of wonder. This temple is an architectural marvel and each sculpture looks fabulous and terrific A visit to the temple Should not be missed - for spiritual and architecturalwise

Moolavar : Sri Venkatachalapathy ; Thayar: Sri Padmavathi Thala Virutcham: Punnai Theertham : Teppakulam Agamam / Pooja; Historical Name: Parpakulam

The temple occupies an area of 1.8 acres and is surrounded by a granite walls. The temple had originally three precincts, the outer one of which was demolished by Chanda Sahib at the orders of Nawab of Arcot. The stones were used to build the fort at Palayamkottai. The five tiered Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, is 110 ft. tall. The sanctum houses the image of Venkatachalapathy in standing posture 4 ft. is made of granite sporting four arms. Two of his arms hold the conch and Chakra, while the other two sport Abayamudra and Kadahasta.

The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are located on either of his side. The festive image is called Srinivasanand the image has identical features as that of the presiding deity. The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two Dwarapalas on either side. There is a separate shrine of Alamelumangai in the third precinct, which also houses the festival image. There is a Dwaja sthambam at the entrance of the precinct after crossing the Rajagopuram and in front of it sits Garuda the vehicle of Lord Vishnu facing the deity.

There are several halls in the temple namely the Pandal Mandapam, Vahana Mandapam, Ranga Mandapamand Nanguneri Jeeyar Mandapam. The Pandal Mandapam has pillars replete with architectural features displaying pushpaboikai, palagai and varikolam. The Unjal Mandapam is designed to accommodate theswing for the festival deities. The square shaped Vasantha Mandapam has Navarang style

Another unique feature of the temple is that every statue and idol looks alive and produces a bronze bell sound when tapped.When a pin is dropped from the top of the bow, it reaches the bottom and what is so special about it is that the bowis not straight but bent. This stone carving too has been damaged as only a part of the bow is seen.

The Jeeyar Mandapam houses lots of pillars with images of ladies hold lamps as in Kerala temples. Theseer of temples used to rest at this place during festivals. The Sorga Vasal (gateway to heaven) is locatedto the west of Yaagasaalai Mandapam and is open only during the ten-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. Manimandapam has numerous pillars with sculptures of elephants and Yalis.

Each of these sculptures is huge in size, almost the size of a human. This adds great life into these sculptures, and as they say, they are truly life-like. Creating these six feet sculptures calls for intricate detailing and the sculptors have truly lived up to this task.

There are around 40 sculptures, in the temple, each of which just as stunning as the others. The temple houses rare sculptures from the Nayak period in the Veerappa Nayak Mandapam.

Some notable sculptures : Manmatha and Rathi opposite to each other, Bheema, Vyakra Balaka (Shiva’s Devotees) and Dharma Raja, Veera Bhadra, depiction of a Queen of Sri Lankan ruler, Ramba, Karna with a big bow, Arjuna with a flowing beard performing penance with a bow and an arrow in his hands, Elephant and a Cow in the same image, Queen on King’s Shoulder, a princess and a prince being abducted by a Kuravan and a Kuratti (gypsies) and rescued by a king , female with a parrot on her shoulder, the sculpture of `yali’, a mythical animal with the face of a lion and trunk and tusk of an elephant, and a beggar with a monkey on his shoulder

Temple timings : 7 am. to 11.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m....

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy Temple – A Stone Carousel of Divine Craftsmanship

From the moment I stepped into this 16th‑century Venkatachalapathy shrine near Tirunelveli, I felt as though I had entered a sculptural theatre frozen in stone. The life-sized carvings—renditions of gods, dancers, and mythic stories—are so intricate and realistic that the fabric folds, wrist veins, and expressions almost seem to breathe .

One standout masterpiece is the statue of Manmatha (the god of love), holding a bow with a perfectly hollowed-out center. It’s said that if you drop a pin—or a mustard seed—it falls through the hole even though the bow is subtly curved. To think such precision was carved in stone without modern tools is genuinely mind‑boggling .

The temple’s origins are fascinating: the sanctum sanctorum is believed to date from around the 8th century, likely by Pandya or Shudra patrons, while the grander mandapam and surrounding precincts were completed by Krishnappa Nayak in the 16th century, including its soaring Rajagopuram and pillared halls .

🛠️ Highlights & Room for Growth

🎨 Unmatched Sculptural Artistry

Every pillar and mandapam carries scenes from Hindu myth and life—Veerabhadra, Bhima, divine dancers, elephants, and more—executed with incredible finesse and energy .

These aren’t just sculptures—they feel alive. The sense of movement and emotion is palpable.

🏛️ Historical & Architectural Richness

The temple reflects 16th-century Nayak architecture, with a granite compound wall, a majestic five-tiered gopuram, musical pillars, and multiple mandapams laid out across 1.8 acres .

✨ Cleanliness & Grounds

The temple compound is well-maintained, with neat paver flooring and tidy surroundings.

🙏 Disappointing Priest Engagement

Unfortunately, the priests seemed disinterested in sharing insights or conducting rituals. The only focus appeared to be on soliciting donations—which detracted from the spiritual and cultural richness of the visit.

🌟 Why I Rate It 5 Stars

Because this temple isn’t just sacred—it’s a masterpiece in stone. The artistry, the history, and the palpable reverence combine to make it a heritage site worth cherishing. That bow-sculpture alone is a testament to human skill that transcends time.

Despite the priestly apathy, the brilliance here is undeniable. The temple remains a must-visit for anyone drawn to architectural genius, mythical storytelling, and...

This Sri Ventachalapathy temple at Krishnapuram is on the way to Thiruchendur from Tirunelveli. This place is named after Krishnappa Nayaka, one of the Vijayanagara Nayaka King who constructed this Temple. This temple is famous for the beautiful pillar sculptures. Tamil Nadu Government had made improvements in this temple on tourist point of view. Moolavar : Sri Venkatachalapathy Thayar : Sri Alarmelmangai, Sridevi and Bhudevi. Some of the salient features of this temple are…. The temple is facing east with a mandapam. Stucco image of Sri Venkatachalapathy is on the top of the mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of 4 tiers. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are in front of Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Moolavar is with Sri Devi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar. In praharam Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar, Varamangai Thayar ( Padmavathy Thayar ), Viswakswnar, Alwars, Andal and Nagars. Thayars are in separate temple like sannidhis in sitting postures with abhaya varada hastam. ARCHITECTURE The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam maha mandapam, Vasantha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. Brahmakantha pilasters are in the Bhitti with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, Vettu pothyal. Floral designs are in the deva koshtam. The mahara thoranas has the bas reliefs of Maha Visnu’s various forms like Yoga Narasimhar, Narayanar, etc,. The prastaram consists of valapi kapotam with nasi kudus. A one tala bricks vesara vimanam is on the bhumidesam. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in the tala and greeva kostams. The Vimanam is called as Mayakooda Vimanam. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers, built stone up to prastaram. The kalkaram is in two levels with sculptures of maha Vishnu’s various forms. There is no images in talas. Both Thayar Sannidhis are like separate temples with sanctum sanctorum, Vimanam, ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. In Ranganatha mandapam ( Dwajasthamba Mandapam ) pillars has the beautiful sculpturs of குறவன் ராஜகுமாரியைக் கடத்துதல், கொடைவள்ளல் கர்ணன், அர்ஜுனர் தவம், குறத்தி ராஜகுமாரனைக் கடத்துதல் & நடோடி நடன மங்கை. The mandapam before the ardha mandapam pillars has the beautiful sculptures of of Rathi, Manmathan, Warrior, Purushamrugam fights with Beema, Annamachariayar, Agora Veerabhadra, etc,. The ceiling beams has the bas reliefs / images of Maha Vishnu’s various temples with various postures. HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS The present temple was reconstructed during Madurai Nayakas, Krishnappa Nayaka (1564- 72 CE ) son of Viswanatha Nayaka, who was the founder of Madurai Nayakas and this place is being called in the name of Krishnappa Nayaka. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Krishnapuram and Maha Vishnu is called as Thiruvenkatanatha Thevar. The Vijayanagara King Srirangathevar Maharayar 1578 – 1586 CE inscription records that Veerappa Nayaka, gave gift to Thiruvnkatanathar, in the name of his father Krishnappa Nayakar. Veera Sri Sathasivatheva maharayar ( 1485 – 1563 CE ) period inscription records the gift of Ariyakulam, Kodikkulam, Bhudhaneri, and some Villages to this temple by Krishnappa nayaka. As per a copper plate inscriptions, 1567 CE, as requested by Krishnappa Nayaka, Sathasivatheva maharayar had given some gift to this temple. The temple was with three praharas. This temple also suffered during Muslims invasion. As per the order of Arcot Nawabs, the stones of the destroyed praharam was used for construction of Palayamkottai fort. Ref : நெல்லை கட்டபொம்மன் மாவட்டம் கையேடு, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. As a part to attract tourists, many works are carried out at a cost of 42.40 lakhs on 24th July 2010, by the Tamil Nadu Government’s HR & CE Department. LEGENDS It is believed that this Venkatachalapathy temple is equivalent to Tirupati, thos who cannot travel to Tirupati can offer at this...