Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal at Padur, Ulundurpet

Location:

Padur village is located in Ulundurpet taluk of Villupuram district, which is roughly about 192 kilometres from Chennai and 8 kilometres short of Ulundurpet on Chennai-Tiruchi GST Road (NH-45). Its located between Villupuram and Ulundurpet more towards Ulundurpet in the NH-45.  A 2 mile in-road from NH-45 through lot of green cultivations, a big lake on the left, and a typical railway crossing with a old elementry school on its way will give you a look and feel of any typical village found in these area.

History:
Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal was enshrined by Dehaleesa Perumal (Aayanar) of Tirukoilur, one of the 108 Divya Desams. Hence, the temple is referred to as “Abhimana Khestram”. This ancient temple rose to cultural and religious glory during 932 A. D. under the reign of Rashtrakuta King, Krishnan II. The Chola King Kulothunga established Chaturvedamangalam at Padur where the temple is situated.

The presiding deity (Moolavar) is Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and the Thayar is Alarmelmangai. By destroying the sorrows He showers happiness on His devotees. He bestows grace on people in the form of Lord Srinivasa of Tirumala and Lord Varadaraja of Kanchi. The other deities worshipped here are Navaneethakrishnan, Sudarsanaazhwar, Aanjaneyar, Andal, Nammazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar, Ramanuja, Swamy Desikan, Aadivann Satagopa Yathindra Mahadesikan (the first Jeer of Sri Ahobila Math). There is also Veera Anjaneya Swamy, which was taken from the dilapidated Fort (not in existence now) of the King Kopperunsingan who ruled this area. The temple was reconstructed about 100 years ago. Since then, the poojas (i.e. nithya, paksha, maasa, ruthu and samvatsara poojas) as stipulated in `vaikanasa agama’ are performed regularly. The temple’s close links with the Ahobila Mutt can be gauged from the fact that the 36th Jeeyar, Sri Srinivasa Yatindra Mahadesikan’s brindavanam is situated there.

Current:

The Samprokshanam of the temple was performed in 1986. The various organisations that are associated with the temple and the devotees belonging to the village make sure that various festivals are celebrated through the year.

Every year, Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 10 days, in the Tamil month of purattasi at the same time when it is celebrated at Tirumala. On the Brahmotsavam night, the utsavar is taken around in procession on various mounts. The car festival is celebrated on the ninth day and the tenth day uthsavam (theerthavari) always concludes with the birthday of Swamy Desika (Purattasi Tiruvonam).