This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu  where he  is portrayed as Sri Venugopala Swami merrily playing a flute with his hands. The temple is situated 5 kms from Kuringipadi town.

Interestingly, this is the only temple where it is said that Lord Rama is depicted as taking rest after the battle in Sri Lanka.

The temple was also documented as Sri Venkatapuram.

Sri Sathyabhama Badreenath, Superintending Archaeologist has catalogued this structure as a 15 to 16 A.D century temple. Further, the document says the earliest inscription is dated to 1776 A,D. mentioning the work of building of dharmasala by Muttu Vijaya Anandaranga Thiruventapillai of Pondicherry. As per the observations of British Historian John M. MacKenzie who had documented temples of South India, Venkatapathi of Venkatampettai ruled the Gingee region about 1478 A.D. The temple would have been built by Venkatamma, the sister of the king.

The legend says a rishi (saint) by name Sadamarshnar came to Southern India in search of peace. He reached the present day Thirukovilur which was called as Panchakrishnaranyam, roughly equivalent to jungle of Lord Krishna. The rishi reached the river Karuda presently known as Kedilam; followed the river and reached the northern end Thirthavanam and meditated.

One day Lord Vishnu arrived in a chariot; the chariot had Vedas as four horses, Thendral & Vadai (celestial breeze) as wheels, Brahma as charioteer accompanied by consort. The rishi wanted to see various avatars of The Lord and this was obliged by him.

Following the sight of the Lord Rama incarnation, the rishi wanted the Lord to take rest in that form over there.  Hence, Adi Seshan became the bed, Sri Devi was at the feet, and with a cushion under the head,  Lord Rama  went into blissful sleep.

The entire sculpture is an 18 ft. single granite structure. In continuation, the Lord also took the form of Krishna with Govardhan mountain, but the rishi wanted the Lord to assume Sri Venugopala Swami along with Bhama & Rukkumami. This was also obliged by the Lord. Hence, Lord Vishnu is in two forms here  - in the form of Lord Rama taking rest and as Sri Venugopala Swami.

The temple is to the east of the village and has a renovated compound. The main entrance is a 7-tiered structure. Near the entrance, is the Garudalvar shrine where the majestic bird deity is seen in padmasanam with yoga mudra; a snake is depicted on left hand with its hood raised over the thigh. Padra kundalam adorns the ear - this form of sculpturing indicates that it belongs to the Naiker period.

The sanctum is guarded by mighty Thwarapalaka, the celestial gate keepers. Lord Venugopala Swami with the consorts Bhama & Rukmani is seen as giving blessings.

In the chamber before the sanctum on the northern corner, Lord Vishnu is seen seated in Padmasana yoga posture.

Sengkamalavalli is the name of Goddess Lakshmi present in a separate chamber facing south. She is again in the padmasana posture.

There is a separate house for Andal, behind the main chamber. Lord Rama is seen is depicted as a warrior taking rest on the seven- hooded Adhi Seshan.

At his feet both the Nachiars and Veera Anginaier are seen. Lord Rama is without his crown. He is resting on a rounded cushion with his feet resting on a lotus. Adhi Seshan is seen as having spread out his hood.

The legend says 7 celestial creatures viz.  Karkodan, Padhman, Mahapadhman, Sangabalakan, Kulikan, Devaduthan and  Sanjian became one Adhi Seshan.

A full-fledged kitchen (madapalli), is situated to the left of the main entrance. This has its own water source as a well; also there is  another well for temple rituals at the northern side.

About 15 metres from the temple facing the entrance is  the swing chamber -  open on all sides, but crumbling. The structure is a wonder with various engraved sculptures. The entire granite structure is nearly 15 mts. in height.

On the north-eastern corner of the above structure a well-named Sakkara Keni exists; this is supposed to have been created by Lord himself with his wheel-weapon.

To the south of the temple is a 1 acre temple tank. The tank has 7 wells and a masonry is supposed to be housing the mortal remains of the architect of the temple. Rays of the sun and the moon are supposed to fall on both the main deities.

A beautiful temple but  due to neglect and ignorance, is in a very poor shape. Vandalism exists everywhere. The beautifully sculpted pillars are used to tie ropes; every visitor writes on the wall and there is no one to monitor this. The entire temple is in an extremely broken-down and dilapidated state.

This temple was brought to my attention in 1993 by Late K. Krishnaswami, Medical Laboratory Technologist at RMMC&H Annamalai University. The temple, at present is being renovated by Siva Sri Arumuga Bhaskara Kurukkal Swami who is in Germany and he is going that extra mile to preserver this heritage. Mr. K. Krishnakumar is looking after the temple administration.