The Tipu factor
K. VENKATACHARI
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Tipu Sultan's money is believed to have gone into the renovation of this temple.
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INTERESTING HISTORY: Sri Venugopalaswamy temple.
Sathyamangalam Sri Venugopalaswami temple is one of the few Vishnu temples located in Kongunadu on the Coimbatore-Mysore highway. Sathyamangalam has a shrine dedicated to Lord Sri Venugopalaswami — Sri Krishna playing the flute leaning on the cow — one of the most enchanting forms of the deity, chiselled in stone.
The famous shrine of Bannari Sri Mariamman temple is only eight kilometres from Sathyamangalam.
The dam, Kodi Veri, is five miles from the town.
The town assumed its name after a chieftain by name Sathyaputra came to rule it.
Ancient shrine
The 700-year-old temple has a lofty Rajagopuram and a tall Dwajasthambam. In front of the Rajagopuram is installed Deepa Sthambha otherwise known as Garudasthambha, made of stone. On the sides of the pillar are carved the conch and the disc and the figure of Hanuman.
At the centre of the temple is the 108-pillared mandapam. In the middle is a 30-feet-tall flagstaff made of seasoned wood. During festivals, the temple flag is hoisted atop this.
The presiding deity is Sri Venugopalaswami — an image of unsurpassed beauty and charm. The centre of attraction in the shrine is a single stone containing the images of Sri Yoga Narasimha Murthy and Sri Sudarsana Murthy on the front and back.
There are sub-shrines for Lord Ranganatha and Lakshmi. The temple enjoys several acres of land gifted as endowments. Besides, it gets an annual income of Rs. 2,000 from the government. Sri Ramanuja, the great Vaishnava saint and preceptor is said to have sought shelter in Sathyamangalam on his way to Mysore, as he fled from persecution by the then Chola king.
Rangayya, an officer appointed by Tipu Sultan, utilised the tax money collected for the renovation of the temple without remitting it into the treasury. Fearing punishment, the officer committed suicide by swallowing the diamond from his ring.
However, realising that the money of Tipu Sultan was used for the renovation of the shrine, he arranged to carve the image of the Sultan, as a token of gratitude.
Temple for Bhavaneeswarar
Another temple is that of Bhavaneeswarar. Nothing is known of the legendary or historical significance of the shrine. With Bhavani flowing very close, it may not be wrong to presume that floods in the river swept away the inscriptions, palm leaves or historical documents.
The shrine is well constructed with beautiful icons and images installed in it and is noted for its cleanliness and sanctity. Sage Durvasa, it is said, worshipped the lingam of Sri Bhavaniswara by installing it here. Sri Venugopalaswami temple and Sri Bhavaniswara are both under the administrative control of HR & CE Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.
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