Krishnapuram is a small village in Tirunelveli district at a distance
of about six miles from Tirunelveli town. In spite of the innumerable
and wonderful temples in Tamil Nadu, Krishnapuram's temple holds its
own, as far as sculptural splendour goes. Astonishing is the fact that
300 years later, the figures look alive and young. Interestingly, the
Arulnigu Venkatachalapati temple houses statues of deities, as well as
scenes from court life. Some of its pillars emanate interesting sounds,
when tapped.
Veerappa Naick Mandapam
There is a Mandapam known as "Veerappa Naick Mandapam" on the
northern side of the temple. There are two beautifully carved elephants
adorning the entrance of this Mandapam. The six pillars at the centre of
the Mandapam bear images of exquisite beauty depicting scenes from the
Puranas.
Any visitor will be impressed by the dexterity with which each image in
the Mandapam has been carved out. They are so life-like and their
features and expressions so natural and real that a person will be under
the impression that he is actually in front of living beings. Such
beautiful idols can hardly be seen elsewhere. The stone for carving out
the idols has been selected with such care that they produce melodious
musical sounds when struck at different places. There are many good
images of ingenious and rare workmanship in the Mandapam, which is just
opposite the presiding deity.
Temple Of Lord Venkatachalapati
Lord Venkatachalapati has been installed here with Sri Devi and Bhoo
Devi. Pujas and abhishekam are being conducted to the Lord daily and
some important festivals are celebrated every year. There are a good
number of images and idols of sculptural interest in the temple,
attracting hundreds of visitors.
Representation Of A Princess And A Prince Being Abducted By A
Kuravan And A Kuratti
There is another pillar containing the representation of a princess and
a prince being abducted by a Kuravan and a
Kuratti
(gypsies) write nouns in caps, while an irate king or minister gives an
angry chase and rescues them. The princess sits serene on the shoulders
of the gypsy as if expecting rescue at any moment. The charger on one
side of the pillar is depicted as if it would leap into life any moment
under the whip of its rider. A lance has pierced the kuravan on his left
flank and the blood flowing from the wound is represented in a red shade
of stone.
The whole body of the man is twisted in an agony of pain. It is a
marvel where the, sculptor got a model for his work. The other side of
the pillar shows the princess's mother consulting a female palmist. The
curves of the feminine body, its dress and ornaments have been depicted
in luscious glory and with pointed attention to detail.
The same affectionate care has been bestowed upon the statue of Rati
(Goddess of Love), the eternal beauty, full of an entirely human vanity,
admiring herself and bearing a look of mixed self-satisfaction and
serene contentment.
Representation Of The Story Of The Adventure Of Bhimasena With
Purushamrigam
One of the pillars represents the story of the adventure of Bhimasena
with Purushamrigam. To fulfill the ritual at an important yaga,
Yudhishthira required the milk of Purushamrigam, a half-man, half-beast
denizen of the forests, this creature is a devoted Shiva bhakta and
Bhimasena achieved his purpose when it was in deep penance. But it's
highly developed mental faculties found out the desecration committed by
Bhima and it gave an angry chase.
Lord Krishna, without whom Pandavas would have been nothing, handed
Bhima three stones, each of which was cast by him one after another. At
each stone, a Shiva shrine sprang up and consequently Purushamrigam,
being a sensitive Shiva bhakta, paused to offer worship to Lord Shiva
and was consequently delayed in the pursuit of Bhima.
In spite of these efforts, the Pandava prince was captured when, with
one foot already out of the forest, he was about to reach civilization
again. Bhima could not escape the powerful grip of Purushamrigam and
they both entered into an argument of jurisdiction and Purushamrigam,
oddly enough consented to an arbitration of the dispute by Yudhishthira.
The latter took the responsibility for the whole act, granted the
creature's right to act as it pleased in the forest region, and offered
half his body in lieu of that part of Bhima's which was within the
jungle when he was caught. Deeply touched by the devotion of
Yudhishthira to Dharma, Purushamrigam freed Bhima and changed its
cannibal.
Representations On Other Pillars
Karna (of Mahabharata) is shown in another pillar. A monkey is sitting
on the shoulders of a beggar who is playing with it. On the other side
there is a beautiful girl with a parrot in her hand.
A girl is dancing with a bouquet in her right palm and a fruit in her
left palm. A knight is lying at her feet with a sword in his hand and a
gypsy is sitting by her side with snakes around him. On the other side
of this pillar, two lovers are found to be making gestures of love to
each other.
Crowning another pillar is a remarkable carving combining an elephant
and a bull. On the left is seen the tusker with its trunk raised, while
on the right is the bull. The eyes are common, the lip of the elephant
corresponds with the ear of the bull and the lifted trunk forms the hump
of the bull. The two figures are thus interlocked in a clever
composition of a tricky picture.
Representation Of Arjuna With A Flowing Beard Performing Penance
With Bow And Arrow In His Hands
There is also another pillar with Arjuna with a flowing beard
performing penance with bow and arrow in his hands. Though a monk, the
representation impresses it with an appearance of a great and powerful
knight.
the other side of the pillar, a sage is shown to be molesting a lady
who, out of anger, is pulling down his beard. A lady is carrying away a
handsome prince and an old lady with a sword in her hand is attacking a
man who has been caught between her legs.
Places to stay in Tamilnadu
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted
hotels and lodges in Tirunelveli.
