The east facing Navaneetha Krishna has butter in both his hands who is found standing on a five-headed serpent at Villur. Lord Rama had rested his bow at this ancient village and hence the place had acquired the Sanskrit name Danushpuri. The name translates to Villur in ancient Tamil. Lord Navaneetha Krishnan has been blessing the world from Villur since the dvapara yuga. The temple is famous for its ‘Vishnusahasranaamam’ recitation, and the committed priest Seshagopala Bhattar takes his role with care.
The shrine was constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya and is known by the name Rukmini Sathyabhaama Sametha Rajagopala Krishnan Thirukovil. Several festivals and rituals are being held in this ancient shrine. The Sree Jayanthi is celebrated for two days during the Tamil month of Avani. Puratasi (Tamil month) is sacred for the vaishnavites and the temple celebrates two utsavam-s (Festivals) during this time, the Desika Utsavam and the Pavithra Utsavam.
The Tamil month of Maargazhi is special at Villur. About 250 kids (from 4th to 12th standard) visit the temple to recite the entire ‘Nachiyar Thirumozhi’ (143 verses written by Aandal) and the ‘Thiruppaavai.’ These kids know the 30 verses of the ‘Thiruppavai’ and 11 verses of ‘Varanam Ayiram’ by-heart. The Paavai Nonbu is celebrated in a grand way in this temple. This temple follows the Desika Sampradaya (Vadakilai) and is endowed with a Theppakulam (Temple tank).
The theppakkulam has a sandhya vandhana (Formal prayers performed during the twilight hours by people who have been ordained through Upanayana) mutt nearby and people perform the trikala sandhyavandhanam there. Icons of Swami Desikan and the Utsavar visit the temple tank for a Theerthavaari (Ritual bath) during the time of the brahmotsavam. Numerous interesting offerings are made to Lord Navaneetha Krishna at the time of the brahmotsavam. The priest Seshagopala Bhattar shared some details, “Mologorai (Pepper rice), Puliyodharai (Tamarind rice), Thayir saadham (Curd rice), Vennpongal (Salt Pongal), Sarkarai pongal (Sweet pongal) are offered to his lordship Rajagopala Krishnan and his consorts Rukmini, and Sathyabhaama. The Thaligai (Prasad) offered does not contain Dhaniya (Coriander).”
The well-known Sri Vaishnavite scholar V. S. Karunakara Aachariar hails from this village. The priest Seshagopala Bhattar has taken upon himself the task of serving Lord Navaneetha Krishna at Villur. He doubles up as a farmer and harvests raagi, paddy and cotton. A. Vijay of Madurai is associated with several dharmic causes and he is a keen devotee of Lord Navaneetha Krishna at Villur. He was happy to share his words, “Seshagopala Bhattar is a treasure, and he takes care of the bigger treasure Lord Navaneetha Krishna at Villur. A visit to this temple will make us understand the real navaneetham is complete surrender to Krishna in a dharmic manner.”
Villur can be accessed from both Virudhunagar and Madurai. Let us visit Lord Navaneetha Krishnan and enjoy his grace.
Contact: Villur Seshagopala Bhattar – 99944 43264, Vijay – 99440 55435
Mr. Rajesh Govindarajulu is one of the founding members of the Verandah Club Pvt. Ltd. He is a leading columnist, historian, jeweler, entrepreneur, and a heritage enthusiast who is earnestly working to revive the past in the light of the present. Experiential learning about the history of Coimbatore is his main course of interest and he is also a panel member of many colleges in the city.
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