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The second Tirupati
 It
would be strange to hear when somebody says that this place
Thiruvallikeni was once known for it's dense groves. Strange, but it is
true that this place looked picturesque with groves of trees centuries
ago, a fact which has it's source in the song sung by Thirumangai
Aazhwar about this place.
Since this Sthala was
surrounded with Tulsi trees, it was also called Brindharanyam in Puranas.
(Brindham = Thulasi, Aaranyam = Forest). As it was a place where the
ponds ( keni) were found filled with lilies, it was called
Thiruvallikeni.
According to the
Puranas, acceding to a request by a King called Sumathi, Venkatesa
Perumal appeared in Thiruvallikeni because of which this Sthala came to
be called the second Tirupati. One who wants to make offerings to the
Lord of the Seven Hills can do so in this Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
according to tradition.
Parthasarathy Perumal
had risen here as a charioteer to Arjuna, this reminds one of his role
in Kurukshetra war in Mahabharatha. When he played the role of Arjuna's
charioteer, he saved him from the onslaught of arrows from Bheeshma's
Bow by taking them on his face. Even today Utsava Murthy Parthasarathy
Perumal's face could be seen with the scars of the arrows.
Temple's structure
and it's sanctum sanctorum
 The
beautiful appearance of the temple holds one's attention at the very
first sight. At the front of the temple, a Mandap with 36 pillars can be
seen and even before that an old Mandap with 4 pillars comes into view.
As one enters the
temple, the sight of shining and glittering golden armour on
Dwajasthamba and Palippeetam catches one's attention. Further inside is
the Mahamandap where one can find the sanctum sanctorums of Thirukachhi
Nambigal, Sree Ramanujar, Manavala Maamunigal, and Vedhantha Desikar.
While crossing the Dwarabalakas in the Mahamandap, one can have a
dharshan of Aazhwars and Aacharyas on the left side.
In the main Sanctum
Sanctorum, the idols of Lord Krishna along with his family can be seen.
This Venkata Krishnan is seen with a big moustache and a conch.
Next to Sree
Parthasarathy's sanctum sanctorum is Sree Ranganathar's. When
Mahalakshmi after a quarrel with Lord Narayana, came to Brindharanya
Kshetra and grew up as Brigu Maharishi's daughter. Sree Ranganathan who
came as the handsome Prince was married off to Vedavalli (Mahalakshmi)
by the Maharishi in the month of 'Masi' (Feb). Even now every year,
Thirukalyana Utsavam is celebrated for Sree Ranganathan and Vedavalli
Thayar with usual established customs.
The idols of Sree Rama,
Seetha, Lakshmanan, Bharathan and Shatrugnan can be seen next to this.
There is an idol of Hanuman opposite to them.
There is a Mandap with
4 pillars in front of Thayar's sanctum sanctorum, where every Friday the
'Oonjal' vaibhavam takes place. Next is Varadhar, who appears on a
Garuda to bless Gajendra.
The Beautiful form
of Theli Singa Perumal
 There
is a separate Dwajasthambam and an entrance to this Perumal temple, a
special feature that cannot be seen anywhere else. Moolavar appears as
Yoga Narasimhar, during the Utsava Murthy and because of his beautiful
appearance, he is called Azhagiya Singar. Lord Narayana after killing
Iranyan hid his fearful appearance and presented himself in a beautiful
form for the sake of the child Prahaladha. Thus he appears in this
temple.
Next to this is the
sanctum sanctorum of Aandal and on the day of Bhogi (during Pongal),
wedding celebrations are conducted for Sree Parthasarathy and Aandal.
Sthala made famous
by Aazhwars songs
There is a separate
sanctum sanctorum for Aalavandhar and Thirumisai Aazhwar inside the
temple and for Nammazhwar, and Peyazhwar outside the temple.
Poigaiaazhwar, Bhoodhathaazhwar and Thirumisai Aazhwar did penance at
this Sthala, and this Sthala attained fame and found a place in the
songs sung by the Aazhwars.
Thyagaraja
Swamigal, one of the Trinities had visited this temple and sang many
Keerthanas on Sree Parthasarathy Perumal.
Mahakavi Bharathiyar
lived in this Sthala and people are of the view that the 'Kannan songs'
he wrote were based on the Lord.
Utsavas
Utsavas are celebrated
in this temple throughout the year. Bhrammotsavam is celebrated for Sree
Parthasarathy in the month of 'Chithirai' (April) and for Azhagiya
Singar in the month of 'Aani' (June). Vasanthotsavam in Chithirai,
pavithrothsavam in Aavani, Adhyayana Utsavam in Marghazhi, Theppotsavam
in Masi are celebrated in a grand manner. Utsavas for Sree Varadhar in
Vaikasi, for Sree Ranganathar in Panguni, and for Vedavalli Thayar in
Purattasi are also celebrated in a grand manner.
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