Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple

Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple or Thirukoodalur (locally called Aduthurai Perumal Temple) in Vadakurangaduthurai, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu.

Thirukkoodalur Divyadesam is referred in both Bramanda Puranam and Padma Puranam. The presiding deity here in Thirukkoodalur is Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal – Perumal Who preserves the whole Universe and also worshipped as Uyyandavar and Jagath Rakshagan. This is one of the Purana Sthalam and also Prarthana Sthalam. The temple is the Sangama Kshetram.

Architecture:

Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. A brick wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The central shrine has the image of Jakath Rakshaka Perumal in standing posture. The shrine of the Padmasinivalli faces South. The temple has a 3-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). There are separate shrines for Ramanuja, Azhwars, Andal and Garuda. The vimana, the tower above the sanctum, is called Suddha Satwa Vimana.

Actually this divya desam is completely washed out by flood and the Lord Came in the dream of Rani Mangammal, who was the Queen of Madurai and told her that the temple was disappeared inside the earth. On hearing this, Rani Mangammal ordered to take out the temple out of the earth and on her commandents only this temple was rebuild and taken care. A chariot called Ambarisha Ratha, renovated by Rani Mangammal, was in use till the 1940s, after which it was not used. There is a statue of the queen in the temple.

History and Significance:

In this sthalam, all the devars along with Nandhagarishi was given the prathyaksham of Sriman Narayanan. Since all of them gathered (koodi) all together, this sthalam is called as “Thirukkoodaloor”.

After coming to this sthalam only, the River Cauvery regained its speciality and holyness. Koodal + oor = Koodaloor. Koodal means joining (merging) together at the same place. Since, Cauvery is coming together in this Kshetram, this Kshetram is also called as “Sangama Kshetram”. Sangamam means joined together.

As per Hindu mythology, demon Hiranyaksha fought with mother earth and went underground, called Patala. Vishnu was born as Varaha, an avatar in the form of a boar to pierced underground. He split the earth into two parts and brought the two back at Srimushnam. Thirumangai Azhwar quotes the incident and calls the village as Pugunthaan Oor, meaning the place where Vishnu went inside the earth. Since Vishnu protected the world here, he is called Jagath Rakshaka Perumal (in Tamil as Vaiyam Katha Perumal). The gap seen in the sactum close to the image of Jagath Rakshaka is believed to be the centre point of earth and all devas came together to worship him. Since it brought all of them together, an act referred in Tamil as koodal, the village is called Thirukoodalur.

As per Hindu legend, King Ambarisha who immersed himself in the worship of Vishnu, failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. While doing worship, he also did not observe the sage Durvasa who went along his way. The sage got irritated and cursed the king. The king went to Vishnu for rescue, who sent his discus to chase the sage. The sage surrendered to Vishnu and begged pardon. The king Ambarishan is believed to have built the temple and hence the presiding deity is also called Ambarisha Varadhar at this place.

Once upon a time, all the Devas along with Nandhaga Rishi prayed for a dharshan to Lord Vishnu at Thirukkoodaloor – Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple. Impressed with their Poojas, the Lord appeared before them and gave a splendid Dharshan. Everybody requested that the Lord kill the Asura Hiranyaaksha.

Lord Vishnu was very happy with their Poojas and decided to kill the Asura Hiranyakshaka. Lord Vishnu cut open the earth, killed the Asura and reappeared, with Goddess Lakshmi, as Varaaha Moorthy (one of the 10 Avathaarams of Maha Vishnu) at SriMushnam.

As all of the Lords and Devas came together at Thirukkoodaloor – Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple and prayed to the Lord requesting for protection, this place has come to be called Koodalur (where people come together). The Lord who protected the village from the Asura was named as JagathRakshgan meaning “One who protects the World”.

Festivals:

The Brahmotsavam festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June) and Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) are the major festivals celebrated in the temple. Srisukta Homam, a religious practice, is performed in the temple with 108 lotus leaves on full moon days.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity:

The Moolavar of Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple is Sri Vayyam Kaatha perumal. Also named as Jeghathratshakan, Uyyavanthaar. Moolavar in Nindra Thirukkolam facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Nanthaga Maharishi.  Thayaar is Padmasini (Pushpavalli) Thaayar.

Temple Pooja Daily Schedule:

Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple remains opened from 07.30 am-12.30 pm and 04.30 pm-08.30 pm

How to reach:

Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple is situated in Tanjoor district, Tamil Nadu. 6 km away from Ayyampettai, 7 miles away from Tiruvayyaaru – Kumbakkonam when going in bus.