Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple (also called Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu located near Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 2 km away from Kollumangudi, 40 km away from Kumbakonam and 10 km from Karaikal. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal Nachiyar.

A special feature of Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple is that this is one of the only two Divya Desams where the image of Vishnu is depicted in Sayana Kolam (sleeping posture) facing the Southern direction, the other being Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple.

Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Templeis revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai alvar. The Azhwar has sung praise on the different forms of Sthalasayana Perumal. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.

Architecture

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple.

History and Significance

Once there was a Sage named Vyagrapadhar underwent a rigorous penance towards Lord Shiva in Chidambaram to attain Moksham. Lord Shiva gave him his prathyaksham and asked him to go to Srirangam and Aranganathar is the one who only can bless him Moksham. Since Srirangam is far away from Chidambaram the Sage asked Lord Shiva to offer the Legs of the Tiger to reach Srirangam faster and he got that too. But due to his old age and the poor eye sight the Sage went in a different direction and was able to reach only Thiru Sirupuliyur instead of Srirangam. Since he could not proceed further, he underwent a penance here itself. Pleased Paranthaman appeared in front of the Sage in his Gigantic Kidantha Thirukkolam ( Sayana Posture ) as lord blesses in Srirangam Divyadesam. It is believed that the Lord originally gave darshan to the Rishi as Lord Aranganathar in his full form as big as in Srirangam. Since the Sage was with poor eye sight, the lord later blessed him in the form of tiny form in his Bala Sayanam. Being the Lord in small form and the saint who worshipped was in the form of a Tiger; hence this place is called Siru (small) Puli (Tiger) yur (Living place).

It’s been said the perumal of this place gave protection to the snake Aadhiseshan from his enemy Garuda.

Festivals

10-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi and 3-day Avataara Utsavam in Maasi are the main festivals here.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Arulmaakadal. He is also called with other names like Arulmaakadalamudhu, Salasayana Perumal. He is giving his seva in Kidantha (Sleeping) Thirukkolam in Bhujanga sayanam. Prathyaksham for Vyasa Maharishi and Viyakra Padarishi. The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Thirumaamagal Naachiyar. And the Utsavar Thaayar is Dhaya Naayagi. The Utsavar found in this sthalam is Kriba Samudira perumal.

Temple Pooja Daily Schedule

Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple remains open from 7am to 12 noon and 5pm to 8pm

How to reach

Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple lies in the Tanjore district of TamilNadu. It’s about 2 miles from Kollumankudi which is on the Aranthangi – Maayavaram railway route.

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