I often wondered how my paternal-paternal great grandfather's family in the 1850s, not having traveled much, resident in Srivilliputtur, south Tamil Nadu, became firmly devoted to Panduranga Vittala.
There is one of the two oldest temples of South India dedicated to Panduranga Vittala, near Tirunelveli, in South South South Tamil Nadu. This would be the nearest to Srivilliputtur. Please correct me if I am wrong.
An excellent blog article titled "Vittalapuram Panduranga Perumal Koil" provides excellent information about the temple. I am borrowing some of the text here, with complete credit and copyright to the author of the blog - "temple, travel and sport".
Known as Dakshina Pandaripuram, the 500 year old Vijayanagara temple, is now in need of support and help to regain its former glory.
The temple is located 15 kms east of Tirunelveli, in Seydunganallur Village, at Vittalapuram. The deity Panduranga can be seen here, in the traditional posture, with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The story is that Panduranga from Pandharpur, Maharashtra came in the dream of Vittalaraya, the army general of the Vijayanagara kingdom, who was one his way to begin battle against the Travancore kings. Due to instructions in the dream, Vittalaraya came to Seydunganallur village and discovered the Pandaripuram idol, buried in the banks of the Tamaraibharani or Porunai River. The deity was installed at a place called Nattarkulam, and was later known as Vittalapuram.
Vittalaraya continued southwards and camped at Suchindram, near Kanya Kumari. The Travancore rulers agreed to a settlement without a battle, and thus Vittalaraya returned to the Panduranga temple at Vittalapuram, and transferred all the finances to the temple, to ensure six pooja (= prayers) daily and for the conduct of major festivals.
There is one of the two oldest temples of South India dedicated to Panduranga Vittala, near Tirunelveli, in South South South Tamil Nadu. This would be the nearest to Srivilliputtur. Please correct me if I am wrong.
An excellent blog article titled "Vittalapuram Panduranga Perumal Koil" provides excellent information about the temple. I am borrowing some of the text here, with complete credit and copyright to the author of the blog - "temple, travel and sport".
Known as Dakshina Pandaripuram, the 500 year old Vijayanagara temple, is now in need of support and help to regain its former glory.
The temple is located 15 kms east of Tirunelveli, in Seydunganallur Village, at Vittalapuram. The deity Panduranga can be seen here, in the traditional posture, with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The story is that Panduranga from Pandharpur, Maharashtra came in the dream of Vittalaraya, the army general of the Vijayanagara kingdom, who was one his way to begin battle against the Travancore kings. Due to instructions in the dream, Vittalaraya came to Seydunganallur village and discovered the Pandaripuram idol, buried in the banks of the Tamaraibharani or Porunai River. The deity was installed at a place called Nattarkulam, and was later known as Vittalapuram.
Panduranga Vittala at Dakshina Pandaripuram or Vittalapuram
Seydunganallur Village, near Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
[from the blog - temple, travel and sport. Copyright and ownership of original blog.]
Vittalaraya continued southwards and camped at Suchindram, near Kanya Kumari. The Travancore rulers agreed to a settlement without a battle, and thus Vittalaraya returned to the Panduranga temple at Vittalapuram, and transferred all the finances to the temple, to ensure six pooja (= prayers) daily and for the conduct of major festivals.
Panduranga Vittala Temple at Vittalapuram, the Dakshina Pandharipuram
Seydunganallur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
[from the blog - temple, travel and sport - Copyright and ownership of original blog.]
1 comment:
Vittalapuram, not near to Srivilliputhur.
It is very near (15 kms) to Tirunelveli.
From Tirunelveli direct Town buses are available, Bus Rout Nos. 11-A; 23-B; 3-G. One can also take the Tiruchendur bound express bus and get down at Seydunganallur and reach the temple (3km north) in an auto (Rs. 30). Or take the Tuticorin bound bus and get down at Vasavapuram and reach the temple (3 km South) in an auto (Rs.30).
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Vittaleswarar Perumal, East-facing standing posture
Utsavar: Panduranga
Thaayar: Rukmini and Satyabhama (separate shrines)
Temple Time: 7 a.m.-12 noon and 5p.m.-8 p.m.
Address:-
Panduranga Vittaleswarar Temple - (Dakshina Pandaripuram)
Vittalapuram via Seydunganallur Post
Tuticorin District - 628 809.
- TSK; Tiruchendur.
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