South's Golden Temple

Sripuram Gloden Temple

A Mahalakshmi temple called 'Sripuram' and made of more than a ton of pure gold will glitter and gleam under the sun on August 24 when it is unveiled for consecration by the Sri Narayani Peetam headed by a 31-year-old godman who calls himself Narayani Amma. Devotees hail the temple as 'one of the wonders of the world' and say that it is the only temple covered fully with gold.







More than 400 gold and coppersmiths from the Tirupathi Thirumala Devasthanam are said to have worked for six years to craft the Rs. 600-crore golden temple located on 55,000 sq ft of land on a 100-acre salubrious stretch in Malaikodi, about 6 km from Vellore in north Tamil Nadu. According to official sources, the gold bars were purchased through RBI in "a transparent manner "

How to reach Sripuram Golden Mahalakshmi Temple?

( Katpadi Longitude 79 Deg. 8' East, Latitude 12 Deg. North 59' )

The following are rough distances between Sripuram temple and places within Vellore

Sl.no Place Distance (in km)
1 Katpadi Junction Railway Station 18
2 Vellore Cantonment Railway Station 8
3 Vellore Town Railway Station 10
4 Town Bus Stand (Old bus stand) 10
5 Central Bus Stand (New bus stand) 12
6 CMC Hospital 10.5
7 Vellore Institute of Technology 19
8 Chennai International Airport 140
9 Bangalore International Airport 230
10 Tirupati 120
[edit] How to get there
Vellore is well connected by road, rail and air.
By Road

Vellore is well connected by road. The central bus stand is 12 km from the temple. Buses to Chennai, Bangalore,Coimbatore, Tirupathi,Erode, Trichy,Madurai and Tuticorin are frequent. TNSTC, SETC and KSRTC operate buses between Vellore and other major towns and cities. Private operators such as KPN and Sri Renugambal travels too operate buses to major towns and cities.



An excellent (Toll Road)

highway connects Vellore to Bangalore. You can be assured of quick travel. However it connects via Hosur Road/ Electronic City. The traffic snarls from that point.
The town bus stand is located 10 km from the main temple. Frequent buses to the temple are available. Route 8 and 8 series ply to Sripuram from the town bus stand. Frequent buses ply between the central bus stand and town bus stand, routes such as 1,1G,2,2A and 2G can be taken to reach town bus stand.

By Rail
Vellore's main railway station is at Katpadi, at the northern end of the city. Katpadi junction is 18 km from Sripuram. Two new railway stations, namely, Vellore town and Vellore Cantonment is nearing completion. Cantonment is 8 km from Sripuram while Town railway station is 10 km from Sripuram. More direct trains are expected to be scheduled to Cantonment and Town railway stations.

By Air

Vellore has an idle airport, at Abdullapuram, which is expected to be operational by 2009. By 2009 the airport is expected to be upgraded to handle 45 seater ATR aircraft.
The nearest Airport is Chennai (130km), Tirupathi (110km) and Bangalore (220km).

timings and Seva Details
The timings of entry into the premises is strictly between 07:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Abhisheka Pooja Seva
In this seva, four devotees will be allowed to sit and have a darshan of the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Abhishekham, Alankaram and Aarthi.
Timing: 4.30 am to 8.00 am
Sri Suktha Homam Seva
In this seva, four devotees will be allowed to sit and perform the Sri Suktha Homam along with the priest in front of Sri Lakshmi Narayani at Saheshara Deepa Mandapam.
Timing: 9.00 am to 11.00 am & 6.00 pm tp 8.00 pm
Pushpa Alankara Seva
In this seva, two devotees are blessed to sit in front of Sri Lakshmi Narayani and can have the Aarthi darshan.
Timing: 8.00 am
Swarna Pushpa Archana Seva
In this seva, one devotee will be allowed to sit and have the darshan of Swarna Pushpa Archana and Aarthi. After Aarthi devotee will be blessed with one gold flower from the divine feet of Sri Lakshmi Narayani.
Timing: 8.00 am
Gho Dhana Seva
In this seva, devotees are blessed to offer a cow to Ghosala, (Ghodhanam) and they can participate in Gho Pooja at Ghosala. Four devotees will be allowed.
Timing: 4.30 am to 8.00 am
Annadhana Seva
In this seva, devotees are blessed to have the Aarthi darshan at Sri Lakshmi Narayani temple and are also blessed to distribute prasadam to devotees.
Timing: 8.00 am
Maha Aarthi Seva
In this seva, one devotee is blessed to sit in front of Sri Lakshmi Narayani and have the Maha Aarthi Darshan after Neivedyam.
Timing: 6.30 am
Vedha Parayana Seva
In this seva, one devotee will be allowed to sit and have aarthi dharshan in front of Sri Lakshmi Narayani at the time of Vedha Parayana.
Timing: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (Only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Divya Dharshan Seva
In this seva, one devotee will be allowed to have divya dharshan of Sri Lakshmi Narayani.
Timing: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (Only Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Sri Vastram Seva
In this seva, one devotee is blessed to offer 9 yards silk saree to Sri Lakshmi Narayani and will be allowed for Aarthi Dharshan.
Timing: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm

Whatsoever may the cause, the Temple location, its surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere are the added attractions for the visitors and it is sure worth to visit this place once. The Maha Laksmi Temple is now an attraction even for the tourists and pilgrimage. This temple is located at Thirumalaikodi; Katpadi is the nearest Railway station in the Chennai-Bangalore route of Southern Railway. How to reach Sripuram? It takes about 3 and half hours drive from Chennai, in the Chennai - Bangalore road. It is in the National Highways NH46 that connects Chennai - Bangalore (Bangaluru) and in NH4 from Ranipet to Bangalore. From Katpadi, one can reach by state owned bus to Sripuram which takes about 15 minutes drive or less. Or, one can reach Thirumalaikodi by bus from Vellore to Anicut / Odugathur route. The State run buses ply via Thirumalaikodi in this route. From Tirupati (Tirupathi) to Katpadi, there are shuttle train services available upto Katpadi or Jolarpettai (Jolarpet Passenger) or one can travel by train from Tirupathi (Tirupati) by Kanyakumari Express from Tirupati to Katpadi which takes less than 3 hours journey. Direct bus services available from all major points to Vellore from Chennai, Chittoor, Bangalore, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Tirupathi & Thiruvannamalai - all being major Temple towns and picnic spots. Vellore is well connected by road with all the southern states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala & Pondicherry. The approximate distance from each major station to Vellore is listed below for the convenience of the visitors:
Chennai - Vellore about 150 kms (Via Sriperumpudur, Sunkuwar Chathram, Kaveripakkam, Wallajahpet, Ranipet, Arcot, Ratnagari - or Arcot by-pass from Ranipet) - 3 and half hours drive from Chennai.
Bangalore - Vellore (via Hosur) - 220 kms (On national highway routes - NH7 > via - Hosur Road - Electronic City - Attibele(NH7) - Hosur - Kamandoddi - Shoolagiri- Melumalai - Kurubarapalli - Krishnagiri > NH46> - Bargur - Vaniyambadi - Ambur - Pallikondaj - Vellore. - around 4 hours drive)
Kanchipuram - Vellore - 58 kms
Tirupathi - Katpadi - 95 kms
Ranipet - Vellore - 26 kms (via Arcot bypass - highways 22 kms)
Hyderabad - Vellore - 510 kms
Mysore - Vellore - 270 kms
Thiruvannamalai - Vellore - 85 kms
Vellore - Sripuram Sri Mahalakshmi Golden Temple - 8 KM

While traveling through National Highways, you will find many toll gates where you need to pay toll fee at different locations, for private cars, taxis, vans etc toll fee ranging from Rs.38 up to 65 and for busses and trucks the charges are still more. (valid for entry-exit 24 hours only).

For the benefit of the visitors, I give the route map from Katpadi to Sripuram, supplied by the Temple at the bottom of this page.

Temple Darshan Timings & applicable current official charges (donations!) are as below:
Darshan Timing 8 am to 8 pm on all the 365 days!

The Sevas available right now and are likely changed/modified by the Temple authorities as per the trustees discretion:

Swarna Pushpa Archana Seva; In this seva Archana will be done with 108 gold flowers and out of which one will be given to the devotee after the archana seva. The donation for the seva is 1508/- for a couple and 1008/- for one devotee. (All days from 0800Hrs to 2000Hrs)

Veda Parayana Seva; In this seva One devotee will be allowed to sit in front of goddess Mahalakshmi and will be given Aarthi Dharsan (Mondays to Fridays 0800 to 2000) Rs.250/ per Head

Divya Dharsan Seva; In this seva one devotee will be permitted for Divya dharsan of Goddess Mahalakshmi. (only Dharsan- No Aarthi) Rs.100/ per head on Saturdays and Sundays and
National Holidays.

Anna Dhana Seva: Rs.5004/- for four persons. In this seva, devotees can have the Arathi Seva Darshan and also blessed to distribute Prasadam to visiting devotees at the temple. Timing: 8.00 am

Gho Dhana Seva: Rs.15,000/- for four persons. Timings: Between 4.30 and 8.00 am. By donating a cow to the Ghosala, the donor is allowed to parttake in the Gho pooja at the Ghosala.
Maha Aarathi Seva: At 6.00 pm after Nivedyam, one devotee is permitted sit before the Main Idol, Sri Mahalakshmi for this Maha Aarathi.

Sri Sooktha Homam Seva: In front of the Goddess Sannithi, at the Saheshara Deepa Mandapam, four deveotess are allowed to take part in the Sri Suktha Homam alongwith the temple priest. Timings: 9.00 to 11 am and 6.00 to 8.00 pm. The Donation charges are Rs.3006/-
Pushpa Alankara Seva: By sponsoring for floral decorations to the Main deity Sri Lakshmi Narayani, two devotees are allowed to sit in front of the main Idol. Timing: 8.00 am and the donation charge is Rs.2007/-

Abhisheka Pooja Seva: In the morning between 4.30 & 8.00 am, by donating Rs.3006/- on all days except Friday (Fridays, Rs.5004/- is charged), four devotees are permitted to take part in the routines viz. Abhishekam, Alankaram & Arathi.

Sri Vastram Seva: If one wishes, she/he can offer a 9 yard Silk saree to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi. By this offering, one donating devotee is allowed to take part in the Arathi seva, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm and the donation charges are Rs.10,008/-

Abishekam: In this seva 4 members are permitted for Abisekam, Alankaram and Aarthi Dharsan Rs.3006/- on all days except Fridays (No accommodation)
Rs.5004/- on Fridays (One Non A/c Room accommodation will be given) The accommodation facilities presently available as below:

NON A/c -Rs.300/- for 2 members (Add Bed-Rs.100/-) Max 3 members permitted in one room
A/c -Rs.500/- for 2 members (Add Bed-Rs.150/-) Max 3 members permitted in one room

One can send an advance DD in favour of "Narayani Siddar Peedam Charitable Trust" payable at Vellore and book for your requirements.

For more details one may contact the PROs of Sri Narayani Siddar Peedam at Sripuram at the following cell phone numbers:

+91 9942993009 ( Sri R Baskar), +91 9942993010 (Sri B V Karthik) or +(1 9345136189 (Mrs Srimathi Ramsingh).

The Temple is constructed, managed and maintained by Shri Narayani Amma of Sri NarayaNi Peedam, (known as Amma of Sri Shakti Peetam). Further details and arrangements can also be made by the Shakti Sri Narayani Peedam at phone numbers (STD code included) : +9104162271202 or +9104162271 844. Sri Shakti Peetam of Sri Narayani Amma also arrange for your visit and provide hospitality on special and individual requests. There are numerous state run bus services available from most of the nearest towns to/via Sripuram. Nearest Railway station:- Katpadi, Chennai-Bangalore rail route. Nearest big town:- Vellore, District headquarters of North Arcot, Tamilnadu (South India). Nearest Airport, Chennai - Meenambakkam (about 135 kms.) or Bangalore (Bengaluru) Airport (180 kms) and from Tirupathi Airport about 100 kms.

Email contact for Sri Narayani Peedam office is : contact@sripuram.org

Here are few suggestions, useful tips, do's and don'ts for a first time visitor:
Once inside the complex, there are proper guidance, assistance and also an information centre inside the complex for the visitors to know more about the functions of this temple.
There is ample car parking space available @ Rs.20/- per vehicle.

Here, the security measures are more stringent as alike Sri Balaji Temple of Tirupathi. Long queue makes one exhaust soon, more so during the summer days. It is recommended to take drinking water bottles & towels to fight the thirst and sweat!

Please do not carry your Mobile phones and cameras which are strictly prohibited inside the temple premises. Separate counters are there to deposit your cell phones, cameras as also your foot-wear. It is highly recommended not to take it with you to the temple at the first place, as it is not going to help you in any way as you have to deposit the same at the counters before entering the complex.

As is in Tirupathi, here too the queue control system exist. A special structures erected to control and regularize the moving crowd is put up that extends up to 3 kms stretch from the temple! From here, you are allowed to move inside the star shaped ( Sri Chakra) corridor of the temple, only after proper security check by the security personnel both men & women; there you will have to undergo strict security checks viz. scanning, frisking and all the sort of personal/belongings etc. Senior citizens are accompanied by the escorts from the temple are allowed to join in the main queue directly, but no family members are allowed to accompany them. Free wheel chair for physically challenged persons and elderly persons are also available and they are directly taken to the temple by the volunteers of Sri Narayani Peedam. No family members allowed to escort or accompany them, as the Golden Temple authorities arranged to give a very good care for them.


The photographs, images and photos that I obtained from my sources are displayed below for the readers to enjoy a virtual tour to Sripuram Narayani Peedam Amma's Golden Sri Mahalaxmi Temple near Vellore. After having taken the tour, Please sign in the guestbook with your valuable comments, suggestions and criticism as well.


VELLORE: The Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple located in Sripuram (spiritual town) in Thirumalaikkodi, about seven km from here, was consecrated by Sri Sakthi Amma, head of the Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, on Friday.

A large number of devotees gathered for the occasion.

Unique structure

It is a unique temple whose Vimanam and Ardha Mandapam have been coated with gold both in the interior and exterior.

Twelve layers of gold foils have been pasted on copper sheets embossed with the designs of Gods and fixed on the walls.

One-and-a-half tonnes of gold has gone into the design of the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple, which has been built at a cost of Rs.300 crore.

100-acre site

According to Sri Sakthi Amma, the decision to have the temple coated with gold is only to attract visitors and enable them to get wisdom through the messages of the Vedas, which they will have to read before reaching the temple located on sprawling a 100 acre-site.

The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the messages from the Vedas on both sides.


Tamil Nadu can boast of its own Golden Temple now

Vellore: If you see the temple, you might even think that the temple is made of gold. And your guessing will be correct.

The Golden Temple is about 140 km from Chennai at Tirumalaikodi in Vellore district.

Sri Narayani Peedam, a private religious charitable organisation, built the temple. And the glittering monument also boasts of some glittering figures.

"The actual estimate is about 300 crores. The amount of gold that went into it's making is 1,500 kilos," says head, Sri Narayani Peedam, Sri Sakthi Amma.

A breathtaking wonder of intricate designs, the temple dedicated to Goddess Narayani is in the midst of lush greenery spread over 100 acres.

Except the pathways, even the roofs and the pillars of the temple are made of gold as about 1.5 tonnes of the metal went into its making.

The Peedom says the funds for building the temple were collected from NRIs.

But is this an attempt to match up to the other golden temple?

"Well! We need to see the people's reaction-how the world is accepting it," says Shakti Amma.

The temple will be formally consecrated on Friday and will be thrown open to the public from the next day.

Now even Tamil Nadu can boast of a wonder of its own- the Golden Temple created with about 1.5 tonnes of gold and which is already on its way to making history.




Sripuram
The temple is located on20 acres of land and has been constructed by Vellore-based Sri Narayani Peedam, headed by spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma. The temple, covering 55,000 sq ft (5,100 m2), has intricate carvings and sculptures in gold. The lighting is arranged in such a way that the temple glitters even during night.


The Sripuram is the biggest structure made out of gold. Even the Satari, a crown with feet of the lord engraved on it, is made of solid gold weighing 1 kg.

The outer pathway of the temple is made out in the shape of a Star. The walls of the pathway have inscriptions of teachings of Sakthi amma, Quran, Gita, Bible,and the Guru Granth Sahib. Only people who believe in more than one god are allowed to enter the temple. All people have to go through the Star shaped pathway to reach the sanctum. The Inner praharam of the temple resembles the circular structure of the Parliament of India.

The temple is at the southern end of the city of Vellore, at Tirumalaikodi. It is located on the way to Anaicut, on Usoor Road. It's under Corporation limits. The pincode is: 632055.
Sign boards, leading to the temple are prominently displayed. Ask any local person and he / she will be able to guide you.