Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple Timings:
Morning: 7.00 AM to 10.30 AM
Evening: 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM
About Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple:
Long ago the hill was fully covered with Vagulam Flowers and hence it has acquired this name. Vagulagiri is a small hillock situated on the southern bank of Thamiraparani on the Tirunelveli – Thiruchendur route. Karungulam is also known as Vagulagiri Kshetram. Vagulagiri is small hill situated on the southern bank of Tamirabarani River. The temple is more than 1000 years old. Vagulagiri is the first temple in this route and located upon a hillock at Karungulam.
This is a twin temple of Lord Venkatachalapathi and Lord Srinivasar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi besides each other on top of the hill. The enshrined God of Lord Venkatachalapathi is in the form of two sandalwood sticks (Tharkals) that came from Thirupathy, which are used to drive the temple car in the festivals. These sticks are placed close to each other and consecrated in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Venkatachalapathi Perumal (Lord made of sandalwood sticks) is the presiding deity in this temple. Devotees belive Lord Venkatachalapathi is said to cure heart diseases, Naga dosha and psychological problems like depression.
Karungulam is located 8 kms South-East of Krishnapuram. There is a big hill in this village and is located on the Southern bank of the Thamirabarani River in a scenic location. The hill is called Vagulagiri in the ancient scripts since the hill was flourishing with beautiful Vakula flowers. The water in the tanks surrounding this area is blackish in colour and hence the name Karungulam.
Vagulagiri is situated on the way from Tirunelveli to Thiruchendur by the banks of the river Tamirabharani. The temple is also called Vagulagiri Kshetram and the presiding deity is Sri Venkatachalapathi. The temple is on a small hill and is visible from the main road itself that goes to Thiruchendur.
This village is very near to the Adichanallur where ancient civilized people lived. Many edges of Thaazhi or big pots used to bury the dead bodies are protruding in the earth surface in the ground portion of Kottai Vasal. Coins and mud vessels have obtained in some places where the ground is dug for laying foundation to new houses. Further archaeological probing may bring out the ancient history of this village.
Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple History:
Vagulagiri Mahatmiyam is a small recorded palm chuvadi in which the existence of Gods at this hill is depicted. How, why and by whom the Vagulagiri Lords are consecrated is also explained from the Grantham scripts it was later translated into Tamil by Brammashri Venkatachala Shastrigal of this village. Baagligam is an ancient country in India. Kalharam is a state in this country. King Subakandan reined this fertile wealthy state. The people of this state had good regard for his sovereignty. But Subakandan was not happy. He had a deep cancer like wound on his neck. He suffered severe unbearable pain.
No native doctor of this village could cure it. In the course of time the wound spread out, worms produced and unbearable pain persisted. What cannot be cured by doctors is easily cured by our deep prayer towards God. Subakandan had good faith in Lord of the seven hills. Sri Venkatachalapathi. He started to Thirupathy to pay homage to the abiding Lord there. He stayed there for a long time doing
prayers, penances and arathanas with full of heart. He prayed Him sincerely with songs and Slokas for relief of the pain.
The Lord came into his dream and asked him to erect a chariot made from the good variety of Sandal Wood available in the nearby forest. After the erection of the chariot two sticks would remain. The Lord told the king that He himself would prevail in these sticks. The Lord also asked the king to carry these sticks to the southern parts of India and to a village called Krishna Thadagam or Karungulam and approaches the small hill there and found a suitable place to fix it.
These actions would bring a permanent cure to his disease. The king acted accordingly and consecrated these sandal sticks in between the holy tamarind tree called Urangapuli and the existing Sri Srinivasa temple. From this time two Lords, Venkatachalapathi and Srinivasa with Sridevi and Bhoodevi are worshipped by the people in this temple.
Sri Mahamago Upathyaya Krishna Shastrigal is the father of Sri Venkatachala Shastrigal, a great Sanskrit scholar who has written the Stala Puranam of Vedaranyam Temple called Vedharanya Mahathmiyam in Tamil.
Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple Sannadhis:
Sri Venkatachalapathy Perumal (Lord made of sandalwood sticks)
Sri Srinivasar
Sri Ramanujar
Sri Vishwaksenar
Sri Venugopala Swamy
Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple Festival:
10th day Chithirai festival is the most famous festival celebrated. Apart from the Chithirai festival, Puratasi Sani Garuda Sevai is celebrated in all the Saturdays of Puratasi month. Pavithrothsavam Festival is celebrated for three days in the month of July. A committee called Pavithrothsavam Committee conducts this festival every year. Vishnu Sahasranama Lakshrachana is celebrated every year and concludes with a grand Pushpanchali on the day of Masi Magam.
Specialty of Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple:
1) There are two temples – one for Srinivasar and another for Venkatachalapathy besides each other on the same hill.
2) The temple is said to be good for those suffering from heart diseases.
3) The Lord is said to be relieve the devotees of Naga dosha and psychological problems like depression.
4) Sage Agasthiyar has visited the temple several times and many other siddhas visited this temple and it is believed that they continue to live here in a different form.
How to reach Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple:
The temple is just a few mtrs off the Tiruchendur main road and is visible from the road itself. It is near Sydunganallur and buses to Srivaikuntam also stop at Karungulam. The temple hill is on the right side while coming from Sydunganallur and on the left while coming from Tiruchendur side. The nearest railhead is Tirunelveli.
Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple Address:
Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple,
Karungulam,
Thoothukudi,
Tamilnadu.
