Sri Bhakthavatsala Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Sri Bhakthavatsala Temple is situated on the outskirts of Cheranmahadevi, Tamilnadu near Tambraparani river at a distance of 20 kms from the famous Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli, it is architecturally beautiful and has so many excellent sculptures. It is unfortunate that this temple remains little known.

Chadurvethimangalam is the historical name of Cheranmahadevi - Mangalam means "a place donated by a king to a priest".It is under the control of Archeological Survey of India(ASI) and is one of the best heritage sites of Tamilnadu.The temple complex is big - one smaller temple dedicated to Sri Bala krishnan and bigger temple dedicated to Bhakthavatsala Perumal. The Perumal idol is 6 feet tall in standing posture and with four arms. He is standing alone without his consorts in this temple.. The entire temple is architecturally attractive and was built by Pandyas and Cholas in 12th Century.

Vimana made up of brick; Temple full of beautiful relief and bas-relief images Artistically brilliant and intricately decorated walls of main shrine. The main shrine has all the sections as per the South Indian temple architectural style - moolasthan, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and the exterior mandapa. Garuda is found to be facing the main shrine. In the exterior mandapa, the sculpture of Bhoo Devi is found. Inside the maha mandapa, apart from the big Dwarapalas, the idol of Vishwaksena is found.

The main shrine is located on an elevated platform.The only other idol found in the temple is Yoga Narasimha temple located in the prakara.The entire temple is full of pillars with beautiful carvings and relief images. All the images are extremely attractive. Yoga Narasimha relief image on the backside wall of the main shrine is noteable. The wall surrounding the main shrine is intricately decorated and found to be artistically brilliant. The vimana made up of brick is another highlight of the temple. Though the temple entrance is incomplete, it is artistically attractive.

The main shrine is built as per the "maada kovil" architectural style. The only other idol found in the temple is Yoga Narasimha temple located in the prakara. The entire temple is full of pillars with beautiful carvings and relief images.

The main shrine has Garbhagriha, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and an exterior circumambulation mandapa . The smaller shrine dedicated to Krishna has a mandapa and sanctum as well. The main shrine includes a Garuda monument facing the sanctum. The original entrance was east, but now one enters the periphery boundary wall from the west side.

Arjunan Thapasu – the penance of Arjuna – as a ‘pudaippu’ sculpture i.e. embossed sculpture - on afront mandapam pillar. Arjuna is seen in a perfect yogic posture with a boar in the backgroundsymbolizing the epic story of Mahabharata. Penance of Arjuna is obviously one of the popular sculpturalchoices of ancient sculptors - which we can spot in almost all the major temples of Thirunelveli.However, undoubtedly the master piece of this depiction is that one of the Pallava sculpture found in the Mahabalipuram rock relief

Unique feature of this temple is a lady sculpture illustrating the ornaments, dress, hair style, makeuppattern, aesthetic sense and beauty concept of the past era. The temple is full of various patterns of lionmotifs indicating Narasimha Murthy. The splendid architectural pattern of the inner precincts iscomparable to the famed Hoysala temples.

As per the Legend, Varuna - Samudraraja had worshipped Lord Vishnu at this place. It is also said that Lord Vishnu, returning from this place followed by Sri Lakshmi, stayed here and hence it is called Thirunindravur. It is also that Thirumangai Alvar did not sing any pasuram (songs) here and followed by Vishnu followed Thirukadalmallai and sang song praising the deity Bhaktavatsala Perumal from there. Sri Lakshmi requested Perumal to appear before the azhwar, but when he did Azhwar had already reached Tirukannapuram. Perumal again appeared in the dreams of the Azhwar who felt that he is viewing Bhatavatsala in...

The temple is undertaken by the government and Timings has been changed.

It Opens by 8.30 A.M and Closes by 11.00 A.M as verified on 21.07.2022

I visited by 7.45 A.M and waited till 8.00 A.M and even the temple main door was not opened. Hence am giving only 1 star due to the experience and not anything against GOD.

No shops near by and for the entire stretch. You have to bring your own Pooja items.

Access to temple is quite difficult and private vehicle is highly recommended.

Its quite difficult to reach the temple by bus, as most of the buses comes to CheranMahaDevi new bus stand and goes towards Papanasam.

Temple is located approx 3 kms from CheranMahaDevi bus stand. Road are very small and narrow and will be quite difficult for private vehicles also, but manageable.

Even though both temples are near to each other No Direct Connecting roads between Nava Kailasam temples at CheranMahaDevi and Kodaganallur, which means you have to travel like a U turn to reach both the Nava Kailasam temples.

(example like from CheranMadaDevi Bus stand travel 3 kms to reach Bhakthavatsala temple and travel another 3 kms to reach CheranMahaDevi Shivan Temple and again travel 4 kms to reach Kodaganallur Shivan Temple)

So, In order to cover the this temple and the other two Nava Kailasam temple you have to cover approx 8 to 9 kms, hence private vehicle is suggested to cover all these temples.

I decided to go by walk and it was a very tough experience for me and hence not suggested.

It may take another 10 to 15 years for the area to get developed and get direct bus service. Main Problem is the Connecting roads between these temples and lots of Paddy fields lie in between them spreading huge acres of land.

Hope GOD helps next...

Beautiful temple in the banks of river thamirabarani. It's a awesome feeling to be in the temple. But unfortunately I have noticed the priest bargaining huge amount for giving thidi and iltreating people when the agreed amount is not paid at the end. Few Astrologers are having good contacts with the priest and getting their commission for sending ppl for thidi here. Literally felt very bad seeing the way he illtreated a family. Many come with less money and not able to pay the agreed amount. Ppl come to temple to pray God and clear their problems in life. I am not against the astrologer or anyone here, but astrologer take their fee while seeing horoscope and their job is over there, but why ppl are making big business with ppl who are already facing problems in life?? So in my experience if ur astrologer is referring any particular priest don't contact the same person, go to the village a day before or little early around 6 am many priest come to take bath in thamirabarani River enquire the fee, hardly they take maximum 300 and enquire in the village u will get many priest over there just perform what u need to do, and take bath enter the temple pray God and take bagawan blessing and return. Let's not encourage any contractors or middle man who make business out of ppl problems.... Let's not allow ppl around to create bad feeling or name of God there.... Its voice of many who came to the temple.... temple is under Archaelogical research, so there is no shops around hence get pooja items like flowers or fruits from near by town itself. Let's save the name of Lord...