Krishnapuram is a small village situated in Tirunelveli District at a distance of about six miles from Tirunelveli town. There are a plenty of images and idols of sculptural interest in the temple, enticing hundreds of visitors. Lord Venkata- Chalapathy has been installed here with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Pujas and abhishekam are being conducted to the Lord daily and some important festivals are celebrated every year.

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Images of rare workmanship

There are many impressive images of ingenious and exquisite workmanship in the mandaparn, which is just opposite the presiding deity. One of the pillars represents the story of the adventure of Bhimasena with Purushamrigam. To fulfil the ritual at an important yagna, Yudhishthira required the milk of Purushamrigam, a half-man, half-beast denizen of the forests, this creature is a devoted Siva bhakta and Bhimasena achieved his purpose when it was in deep penance.

Krishnapuram's lithic images are unique in nature than that of others found in other temples. They are very vivacious. Life seems to overflow the river of sculptures. This temple can be referred as touch stone for art critics. This kind of liveliness can only be seen here and not elsewhere.

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The name of the village

This village is named after the King Kumar Krishnappa Naicker son of Viswanatha Kumarappa Naicker, the greatest among Naicker kings. Earlier, this place was called Venkatapuram. Later it was named after Krishnappa Naicker who had constructed the temple and called as Krishnapuram. Some may say it is named after the Vijaya Nagar King Krishna Devarayar.

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Adventure of Bhimasena

One of the pillars represents the story of the adventure of Bhimasena with Purushamrigam. To fulfil the ritual at an important yaga, Yudhishthira required the milk of Purushamrigam, a half-man, half-beast denizen of the forests, This creature is a devoted Siva bhakta and Bhimasena achieved his purpose when it was in deep penance.

But it’s highly developed mental faculties found out the desecration committed by Bhima and it gave angry chase. Krishna, without whom Pandavas would have been nothing, handed Bhima three stones, each of which was cast by him one afteranother. At each stone, a Siva shrine sprang up and
consequently Purushamrigam, being a sensitive Siva bhakta, paused to offer worship to Siva and was consequently delayed in the pursuit of Bhima.

In spite of these efforts, the Pandava prince was captured when, with one foot already out of the forest, he was about to reach civilization again. Bhima could not escape the powerful grip of Purusham- rigam and they both entered into an
argument of jurisdiction and Purusham- rigam, oddly Enough consented to an arbitration of the dispute by Yudhishthira.

The latter took the responsibility for the whole act, granted the creature's right to act as it pleased in the forest region, and offered half his body in lieu of that part of Bhima's which was within the jungle when he was caught. Deeply touched by the devotion of Yudhishthira to Dharma, Purushamrigam freed Bhima and changed its cannibal.

Ways of living, and willingly supplied milk for the fulfillment of the yaga. The fancy of the sculptor who carved this image has found full scope. Bhima, all brawn and not much brain, is held helplessly in Purushamrigam's grasp. Yudhishthira, a serene personality with one finger held up symbolically, is represented as a man who knows what. Must be done and is determined to do it.

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Pillar of Kuravan (Gipsy) and Princess

There is another pillar containing the representation of a princess and a prince being abducted by a kuravan and a kuratti
(gypsies), while an irate king or minister gives an angry chase and rescues them. The princess sits serene on the shoulders of the gypsy as if expecting rescue at any moment. The charger on one side of the pillar is depicted as if it would leap into life any moment under the whip of its rider. A lance has pierced the kuravan on his left flank and the blood flowing from the wound is represented in a red shade of stone.

The whole body of the man is twisted in an agony of pain. It is a marvel where the, sculptor got a model for his work. The other side of the pillar shows the princess's mother consulting a female palmist. The curves of the feminine body, its dress and ornaments have been depicted in luscious glory and with pointed attention to detail. The same affectionate care has been bestowed upon the statue of Rati (Goddess of Love), the eternal beauty, full of an entirely human vanity, admiring herself and bearing a look of mixed self-satisfaction and serene contentment

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Other Sculptures

There is also another pillar with Arjuna with a flowing beard performing penance with bow and arrow in his hands. Though a
monk, the representation impresses it with an appearance of a great and powerful knight.

On the other side of the pillar, a sage is shown to be molesting a lady who, out of anger, is pulling down his beard. A lady is carrying away a handsome prince and an old lady with a sword in her hand is attacking a man who has been caught between her legs.

Karna (of Mahabharata) is shown in another pillar. A monkey is sitting on the shoulders of a beggar who is playing with it. On the other side there is a beautiful girl with a parrot in her hand.

A girl is dancing with a bouquet in her right palm and a fruit in her left palm. A knight is lying at her feet with a sword in his hand and a gypsy is sitting by her side with snakes around him. On the other side of this pillar, two lovers are found to be making gestures of love to each other.

Crowning another pillar is a remarkable carving combining an elephant and a bull. On the left is seen the tusker with its trunk raised, while on the right is the bull. The eyes are common, the lip of the elephant corresponds with the ear of the bull and the lifted trunk forms the hump of the bull. The two figures are thus interlocked in a clever composition of a tricky picture.

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Festivals of the temple

Vaikasi Visagam (May - June) Enormous devotees numbering about two lakhs will participate in the festival. The procession of Sri Jayanthinathar with Valli and Deivanai is conducted during night.

Skanda Sasti festival - 7 days (October - November) Devotees numbering about 5 lakhs will participate in the above festival. On this festival occasion devotees fast for all six days. On the sixth day Surasamharam is demonstrated. On the 7th day Thirukkalyanam to Deivanai is celebrated in a grand manner.

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