The Swayambu Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Melvenpakkam
Time and again I have mentioned in my articles about planning to visit a place for a long time, which suddenly came true or alternatively, visiting a temple all of a sudden because an invitation came out of the blue. Now I have come to understand that everything moves as per the divine plan and we must just play our pre destined part. Therefore, I was not surprised when I received a call from Mr Manivannan, Principal Trustee of the Melvenpakkam Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple just a couple of days before our scheduled visit to Kanchipuram. I immediately agreed on the time and date of the visit.
The Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple at Melvenpakkam
This temple, in a non-descript village off the Chennai - Bangalore Highway, hardly comprises of a sanctum sanctorum and an Artha Mandapa. Two tiny shrines have been recently constructed to house the Periya and Siriya Thiruvadis. A temple that once had its own 11 tier Rajagopuram, Mada Veedhis and several acres of land, has been reduced to this status with passage of time, invasions and encroachments. It used to be earlier known as Mahalakshmi Kshetram with individual sannathis for all the eight lakshmis.
Dhampathya Anyonyam: The Lord within the humble temple, is a great Karuna Moorthy. He is said to date back before three Yugas, measuring 12 feet in the Kritha Yuga, 8 in the Thretha Yuga, 4 in the Dwapara Yuga and now 2.5 feet in Kaliyuga. The Narayana and Goddess Mahalakshmi are seen as one form. Usually one can see the Lakshmi seated on the left lap of the Lord either facing him or even if she is facing the devotees there is a gap between the two dieties. However, here both are found in an Änyonya Bhavam with their faces close to one another and no gap in between.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal at Melvenpakkam
Photo Courtesy: Mr D Manivannan
Pillaikaaragan Swamy: The Lord is also called Pillaikaaragan Swamy. Mr Manivannan narrated his own experience with a lot of emotion. He and his wife had lost two children soon after their birth and were not blessed with a child for thirteen years. Not knowing the reason, and heartbroken at having lost their new borns, they visited several temples. Through Prasnam, they came to know of the Melvenpakkam temple which had been locked up for sixty years without worship. They made efforts to have the temple opened and worship resumed. Soon afterwards, they were blessed with a healthy child. Till date, over three hundred families have visited and been blessed with children. A special Thirumanjanam is performed on Friday mornings at 7 am with Sri Lakshmi Narayana Hridayam chanting and Paal Payasam Neivedhyam . This prasadam is then given to the childless couples and they are soon blessed with Santhana Prapthi.
Brahma Hathi Dosha Nivarthi: Usually Adhiseshan can be found as the Asana or bed for Lord Mahavishnu. However, in this Kshetram he can be seen as a Vyjayanthimala around the Lord's neck. The serpent circling the Lord's neck twice and lifting up his hood on his chest can be seen very clearly during Milk Abhishekam. This form is said to rid one of Doshas like Brahma Hathi Dosha, Naga Dosha and Rahu Kethu Dosha. It is believed that Lord Hanuman worshipped Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy for forty one days to be rid of the Brahma Hathi Dosham from killing the Asuras who guarded the Ashoka Vana.
This Kshetram is also a Parihara Sthalam for those born under Dhanusu or Mithuna Rasi.
In 1957, Paramacharya of Sri Kanchi Sankara Mutt has spent three days and nights in meditation in front of this Lord and it remained one of his favorite temples.
Uthratadhi Homams: Every month on Uthratadhi star, special poojas are performed at this temple. A very holy Homam known as Sree Lakshmi Narayana Nava Kalasa Homam is performed approximately around 8.45 am. This Homam has immeasurable power against all doshas. During this homam, a very holy Mantra called as Sree Lakshmi Narayana Hrudhayam is chanted. After that, Thirumanjanam is performed with the sanctified water from the Homam from the nine kalasas.
People yet to blessed with marriage, Dhaampathya Annyonyam and child birth attend this Homam and are blessed immensely by the grace of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal and Mahalakshmi Thaayar. Instances of long ailing diseases getting cured are also witnessed frequently.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Nitya Parayana Slokam:
Chanting the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Nithya Parayana Slokam 22 times morning and evening, is said to bring all sixteen elements of prosperity into one's life.The Slokam is:
Swarna Vriddhim Guru me Gruhe Sri:Sudhanya Vriddhim Guru me Gruhe Sri:Kalyana Vriddhim Guru me Gruhe Sri:Vibhuti Vriddhim Guru me Gruhe Sri:
How to get here: (Details Courtesy Mr Manivannan)
Google Map link
From Chennai:
By Bus:
This temple is approximately 84 kms from Koyambedu and 67 Kms from Tambaram.
If commuting by bus from Koyambedu, please board bus bound for Arcot and get down at Baluchetty Chaththitram bus stop and again board a bus bound to Panapakkam and get down at Check Post Stopping. From there, every 10th minute, you will get a share auto to drop you in the temple. (or) You can board straight buses from Koyambedu. Bus Numbers: 150 and 107, both bound to Panapakkam and get down at Panapakkam and catch a share auto to the temple. ( It takes 3 hours from Chennai).
Also, you can come to Kanchipuram and catch a bus bound to Panapakkam via Damal and get down at Check post and catch a share auto.
By Train:
People coming from Chennai, can board the electric train bound get down at Thirumalpur, go to Panapakkam from there and catch a share auto to Melvenpakkam.(but this travel will be very tedious from Thirumalpur to Panapakkam, though the distance is just 9 Kms)
From Kanchipuram:
This temple is situated at 22 Kms from Kanchipuram in the Madras - Bengaluru Highway, towards Vellore. Any bus bound to Panapakkam, via Damal, can be boarded and you have to get down at Check post and take a share auto. T3, T3A, T3B, T49, 150, MBD and Balaji are the bus routes plying between Kanchipuram and Panapakkam.
From Vellore:
This temple is 56 Kms away from Vellore (via, Arcot, Ranipet, Walaja, Kaveripakkam and Ocheri). You can board the bus bound to Panapakkam, get down there and catch a share auto to the temple.
From Arakonam:
Devotees coming from Bangaluru, Coimbatore, Salem etc, by train, can get down at Arakonam Railway Junction and board a bus to Panapakkam (24 Kms) and from there, catch a share auto to the temple.
Plenty of buses from Kanchipuram, Vellore and Arakkonam.
Travelling by Car from Chennai:
This temple is just 4.5 Kms away from the Madras - Bangaluru National Highway.
After crossing Baluchetty Chaththiram and Damal take a right turn to Panapakkam. A Board depicting the name Melvenpakkam Sree Lakshmi Narayana Peumal Sannadhi will be visible under the blinking orange light kept in the highways.Take a right turn and within one km, you will find a big banyan tree to your left and from there, take the right turn, that is opposite to the tree. There also you will find the name board. From here, it is just 4 Kms, into the villages along the paddy fields and the third village is Melvenpakkam. You will find this small temple next to a water tank.
Travelling by Car from Vellore:
From Vellore, come on the national highway via Arcot, Ranipet, Walaja, Kaverpakkam, Ocheri and approximately 8 Kms from Ocheri, you will find the Name board of the temple below the blinking orange light and you have to take a left turn after which follow directions as above.Contact Details:Mr D Manivannan, Principal Trustee - 9003177722/9383145661/9444970066
