Srinivasaperumal temple is situated in Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu. This temple is popularly known as the “Tirupathi of South”. People who are unable to go to Tirupati Balaji visit this temple to get their desires fulfilled. The temple is located on a hill in a beautiful environment. As the tank is in front of the temple, it so appears as if the temple is on a wide land area. Lord Shri Venkateshwar is the preceding deity of this temple.
This place is one of Azhwar’s Navatirupathi. Large number of devotees come here daily to visit the sacred shrine of Lord Venkateswara to pay their homage.
History of Sri Srinivasaperumal Temple
As per the legend, Thiruvannamalai is considered as the Tirupathi where Lord himself was found protecting public in the form of a hunter.
According to the mythology and ancient scriptures all the great dynasties of rulers of southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient temple. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram, the Cholas of Thanjavur, the Pandyas of Madurai and the kings of Vijayanagar were devotees of Lord Venkateshwar. All these dynasties competed with one another to endow the temple with rich offerings and contributions.
During the reign of Vijayanagar dynasty the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya installed a statues of himself and his consorts at the portals of the temple. A statue of Venkatapati Raya in can also be seen in the main temple.
The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment to worship in the temple. He also offered valuable jewels to the Lord. The emerald which was offered to the lord s still preserved in a box named after the General.
Significance of Sri Srinivasaperumal Temple
Devotees come here to get their desires fulfilled. Those who seek satisfactory marriage alliances, children, development of business and agriculture and promotions in job come here to worship Lord Venkateshwar. It is believed that the devotees surely get promotion in jobs once he visits and prays in the temple. There is a tank at the foothill of the temple with beautiful Lotus flowers called Koneri. Devotees come here to wash their sins by bathing in the tank.
Donating cattle and head shaving are the main commitments people undertake in this temple. People offer vessels and articles made of silver and gold. Huge crowd can be seen during Saturdays in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October).