Arulmigu Devanatha Swami Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

8

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Majestic standing stone vigraha of Lord Devanatha holding Shankha, Chakra, and lotus; on the adjoining Oushadhagiri hillock sits the unique stone idol of Lord Yoga Hayagriva

Religious tradition

Vedic Vaikhanasa / Pancharatra Tradition & Sri Desika Sampradaya

Sanskrit name

श्री देवनाथस्वामी मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Thiruvanthipuram Divya Desam, Hayagriva Hilltop Temple Thiruvanthipuram, Oushadhagiri Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

05:30 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:30 PM - 09:30 PM

Break timings

12:30 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Desika Utsavam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays: 04:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Festival timings

Open continuously till 10:30 PM on festival days and Thursdays during exam seasons

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:30 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Every Thursday (Hayagriva), Saturdays, Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays

Ritual schedule

Nitya Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Hayagriva Vidya Homam, Cardamom garland (Elakkai Malai) offering, Desika Mangalasasanam

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

Thirumanjanam performed on Thursdays for Hayagriva and Saturdays for Devanatha at 07:00 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Pallavas; expanded by Medieval Cholas (Raja Raja I) and Vijayanagara Kings; sanctified by Sri Vedanta Desika

Architect / builder

Traditional Dravidian temple sthapathis

Construction materials

Solid dressed dark granite, brick-lime Rajagopuram, marble steps leading to Oushadhagiri hill

Historical events

Sri Vedanta Desika composed the immortal "Hayagriva Stotram", "Devanayaka Panchashat", and "Gopala Vimshati" while residing at this temple in the 13th century

Renovations

Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new hillock railings, lighting, and queue complexes

Archaeological importance

Crucial Divya Desam monument containing over 50 Chola and Pandya stone inscriptions

Legends

The hillock Oushadhagiri is a dropped piece of the Sanjeevani mountain carried by Hanuman; Lord Vishnu manifested as Devanatha (Lord of Gods) to establish the oneness of the Trinity

Inscriptions

Stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the 11th to 16th century recording grants by Rajendra Chola, Vikrama Chola, and Vijayanagara King Achyuta Deva Raya

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

10th Century core with 13th - 16th Century CE expansions

Structure

Twin-level temple complex comprising the large walled base temple of Devanathaswamy and the hilltop shrine of Lord Hayagriva atop Oushadhagiri hill

Floors

2

Gopuram

Five-tiered entrance Rajagopuram decorated with stucco figures of Dashavatara and Garuda

Mandapa

Pillared Mahamandapa and Kalyana Mandapa supported by carved granite pillars depicting Vaishnava legends

Sculptural features

Standing stone idol of Lord Devanathaswamy; unique stone icon of Lord Yoga Hayagriva on the hill; carved image of Vedanta Desika; Desika’s Well (Desikan Kinaru)

Artistic elements

Intricate ceiling medallions, embossed silver altar frames, and stone water conduits

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite masonry built on the riverbank and hill slope

Unique features

The famous cardamom garland (Elakkai Malai) offering to Lord Hayagriva by thousands of students before examinations, and Desika’s sacred well

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Purattasi Sravanam (Desika Jayanti), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi

Special celebration days

Every Thursday (for Hayagriva), Saturdays, Ekadashi

Cultural events

Divya Prabandham recitals, Desika Stotra chanting, and classical Carnatic music concerts during festivals

Annual events

Grand Devanathaswamy Maha Rathotsavam and Float Festival (Teppotsavam) in Gadilam River

Peak crowd season

September to October (Purattasi season), exam months (Feb-April), and winter holidays

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.