Sree Venkatachalapathy Tirumala Temple, Thazhathangady, Kottayam
This temple is located at Thazhathangady in the suburbs of Kottayam town, about 3 km from the town towards the famous tourist resort Kumarakom. The temple was established in 1841 AD. The location is near the Taliyil kotta Siva temple.
Kottayam is one of the Ashta gramas and the temple is managed by the Alleppey Anathanarayanapuram Thuravoor Tirumala Devaswom (AATTD).
Deities & Temple details
The main deity is Sree Venkatachalapathy with Lakshmi devi on the left and Bhoomi devi on the right. The vigraha made of Panchaloha also bears a sword.
The temple and prathista are facing East. Outside the srikovil there are pratishtas of Ganapathi and Garuda inside Nalambalam. Outside the Nalambalam, at west side there are pratishtas of Nagayakshi and Nagaraja. At the north east corner of the temple premises, the statue of the Poojari who brought the Venkatachalapathy idol to Kottayam is installed. There is a small Anapandal in the temple. A part of the agrasala on the north side is converted to a smal hall-cum-auditorium.
The temple is located on a sloppy terrain and the main gopuram entrance is about 6 feet below the road level with steps leading to the gopuram. However, the west gate is above the road level with steps upwards.
The Venkatachalapathy idol was brought to Kottayam by a Poojari who migrated from Varapuzha. At his request the Kottayam Thampuran (Raja) gave free land and aid for construction of the temple. The temple was established in 1841 AD.
About Kottayam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kottayam
