The Venkatamudaiyan Temple on General Muthiah Street, Sowcarpet, is one of the largest Vishnu temples in Chennai, but one not well-known. It is believed that Vishnu as Tiruvenkatamudaiyan or Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal appeared in the dream of a holy man (Bhairagi) from North India who was on a visit to this place and made him consecrate his image here and to construct a temple.
The Bhairagi embarked upon the task with his meagre funds. Seeing his integrity, people began to help him and the present temple was built.
The main sanctum designed like a chariot enshrines the image of Venkatamudaiyan, approximately eight feet high. Nearby, is a large reclining image of Ranganatha, with Brahma emanating from his navel and with consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi by his side.
The annual festival (Brahmotsavam) for goddess Lakshmi, worshipped as Alarmelmangai Thayar, is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai at the same time as the Brahmotsavam for goddess Alarmelmangai in Tiruchanur (Tirupathi). During this festival, this deity is carried on various vehicles (vahanas), but only within the temple premises. The processional image of goddess Alarmelmangai has an actual hole in her nose where the nose ring is worn.
Another noteworthy aspect is that during the Brahmotsavam, the goddess rides on a female form of Garuda called Garudi.
There are small sanctums for Varadaraja Perumal, Rama, Hanuman, Andal and Varahasvami. Another sanctum has the main stone image and processional image (utsava-murti) of Lakshmi
Narasimha. This utsava-murti is taken out only up to the Mandapa in front of this shrine and not even to other parts of the temple.