Koduvayur M H.
Google
My friend had told me so many times about this beautiful temple, I decided I must visit it, and went there. Google said the temple opens at 5pm in the evenings. When I reached at about 5.20 pm, it was closed. I took a walk, and came back around 5.35 - the main door was open. But inside, there was not a single soul. I was actually thrilled - I would have God all to myself before the crowd builds up, I thought. But God was not interested in me. The shrine was still closed. I went around, admiring the beautiful carvings, reading all the wonderful display boards which tell the history of the temple. About how Venkataramana Swamy actually saved Tipu Sultan from certain death when Governor Cornwallis fired a cannon at Tipu's palace adjacent to the temple - the Lord took the cannon on Himself, and spared Tipu. Apparently Tipu was grateful. ( my guess is, that was for a short time - before he decided to do away with all "infidels"). The architecture is stunning, carvings bringing the characters to life. The general feeling one gets is of being in a great, serene place, very clean, and full of positive vibes. But I was disappointed that there was hardly anyone to enjoy the beauty of the place. As I reluctantly left, I met a young man enter the temple precincts, carrying a big container (?milk). I asked him why the shrine was not open. He said it would open by 6 pm or so, as people do not come earlier than that. Coming as I was from visiting the Golden temple at Amritsar just a few days back, which is open 24 hours a day with visitors milling about all day and all night, the poignancy hit me hard. I left with a heavy heart. I would have to go again to get a darshan, and the prasadam, which I am told by my friend, is wonderful and generous.