Since my wife was not very familiar with the exact location of the temple, I relied on Google Maps for directions. Unfortunately, the navigation led us to an open piece of land with no temple or buildings in sight. We then sought help from some local residents, who informed us that the temple was actually located on the opposite side of the highway, beyond the L&T industrial facilities and offices near the village. After several detours, we finally reached the temple.
This experience prompted me to write about the temple and provide directions through my blog. I hope this will be useful to members of my extended family, cousins, and future generations who may wish to visit our ancestral temple but are unfamiliar with its location Google Map Direction. Interestingly, this was the very first time in my 68 years that I had visited both my ancestral village and our family temple, although my wife has been visiting the temple regularly for many years.
The Veetrirunda Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple has a fascinating history. The presiding deity, Lord Vishnu seated majestically with Goddess Lakshmi, is believed to be nearly 500 years old. The temple is thought to have been built or patronized during the Vijayanagara Empire around 1520 CE. According to the temple priest, the idol was discovered in the bed of the lake adjoining the temple. While the temple structure itself appears relatively recent, the sanctity and antiquity of the deity remain deeply revered. There is also a dedicated shrine for Sri Jwala Narasimha within the temple complex.
The village was once known as Sri Bashyapuram, a name associated with the celebrated Sri Bhashya written by the great saint Sri Ramanuja. Even today, the temple comes under the administration of the Ahobila Mutt. My grandfather, on my father's side, served as a trustee of the temple, as did my father's youngest brother. The temple is presently maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Until this visit, I had never realized the rich history associated with my ancestral village. Like many others of his generation, my grandfather migrated to Madras (now Chennai) in search of better opportunities long before India's Independence. Most of his relatives followed a similar path, and visits to the village gradually became infrequent. Nevertheless, some of my father's cousins continue to reside in Neervalur even today.
The village is also notable as the birthplace of Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal (1901–1960), a distinguished Tamil writer, novelist, journalist, freedom fighter, and one of the first women to serve on the editorial board of a Tamil magazine. She was a powerful public speaker and a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress. Eminent leaders such as Rajagopalachari, Kamaraj, and Sathyamurthy frequently invited her to address public meetings.
I hope that the maps, directions, and information that I have shared will be helpful to family members and others who may wish to visit the Veetrirunda Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple at Neervalur in the future. My visit to Neervalur was much more than a temple visit, it was a journey into my family’s history and heritage. Discovering the historical significance of both the village and the temple made my experience particularly meaniful