Azhagiya Manavalar Koil/ அழகிய மணவாளர் கோயில், Arulmigu Kamalavalli Nachiyar / அருள்மிகு கமலவல்லி நாச்சியார், Uraiyur, Tiruchirappali District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Azhagiya Manavalar Koil, also called Kamalavalli Nachiyar Temple, at Uraiyur, in Tiruchirappalli District, was a part of “திருச்சி மரபு நடை - Tiruchirappalli Heritage Walk”, from 18^th to 19^th July 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”. This place, Uraiyur, was called Thirukozhi, Nisulapuri. Uranthai, Woraiyur, etc.

This is one of the 108 Divya Desams and the 2^nd Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. Also, this is one of the Divya Desams in which Mahalakshmi Thayar was given more importance than Maha Vishnu, and this is one of the were Maha Lakshmi Thayar faces North (Srirangam). Mangalasasanam was done by the Alwars Kulasekara Alwar and Thirumangai Alwar.  

 

கோழியும் கூடலும் கோயில் கொண்ட

        கோவல ரேயொப்பர் குன்றமன்ன

பாழியும் தோளுமோர் நான்கு டையர்

        பண்டிவர் தம்மையும் கண்டறியோம்

வாழிய ரோவிவர் வண்ண மெண்ணில்

        மாகடல் போன்றுளர் கையில்வெய்ய,

ஆழியொன் றேந்தியோர் சங்கு பற்றி

        அச்சோவொருவரழகியவா. (1762)

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

அல்லிமாமலர் மங்கைநாதன்

        அரங்கன்மெய்யடி யார்கள்தம்

எல்லையிலடி மைத்திறத்தினில்

        என்றுமேவு மனத்தனாம்

கொல்லிகாவலன் கூடல்நாயகன்

        கோழிக்கோன்குல சேகரன்

சொல்லினின்தமிழ் மாலைவில்லவர்

        தொண்டர்தொண்டர்க ளாவரே (667)

……. குலசேகர ஆழ்வார்

 

Moolavar          : Sri Azhagiyamanavalar

Thayar             : Sri Kamalavalli Nachiyar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces north with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. A 4-pillar mandapam is in front of the Rajagopuram. The second-level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. Stucco dwarapalakas are on either side of the ardha mandapam. A stucco image of Ranganathar is on the top of the entrance of the ardha mandapam. In the sanctum sanctorum, Maha Vishnu as Manavala Perumal and Kamalavalli Nachiyar are in marriage kolam, facing Srirangam, i.e., north. The utsavar image of Kamalavalli Nachiyar is in front of the moolavar. This sannidhi faces north towards Srirangam Namperumal Temple.

In the praharam, Senai Mudaliyar, Garuda, Nammalvar, Thiruppanazhvar, Udayavar, and Paramapada vasal.

PC: website

PC: website

PC: website

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Ramanujam

PC: website

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and vasantha mandapam. The temple was built with atone from adhistam to the prastaram. The Vimanam above the prastaram was built with bricks and lime mortar. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam, and adhistanam with Jagathy, threepatta kumudam and Pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square base, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veera kandam and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus

The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam and vesara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams. Vimanam is called Kamla Vimanam.

The Rajagopuram is full of stucco images. The first level of the Rajagopuram is of the mada style. Stucco images of the Uraiyur Nachiyar wedding procession and the Celestial deities are on the east and west sides of the Rajagopuram. On the eastern side of the tower, beneath the “Kalpaka Vriksha” (celestial tree), stucco images can be seen depicting Sri Ranganatha and Kamalavalli bestowing their vision upon the thirty-three crore Devas (celestial deities) during their wedding ceremony (Panigrahanam). On the western side of the Rajagopuram, stucco images of Manavala Perumal and Uraiyur Nachiyar’s wedding.   

The corridor walls adorn the Nayaka period painting of Maha Vishnu and Vaishnava puranas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple was built during 08^th – 09^th Century CE. Later received contributions from the Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. As per the inscriptions, this place was called Thirukozhi, Uranthai, Nikalapuri, etc.

 

இத்தலம் திருக்கோழி, உறந்தை, மற்றும் நிகளாபுரி ஆகிய பழமையான பெயர்களால் அழைக்கப்பட்டதை கல்வெட்டுகள் பதிவு செய்கின்றன.

இடைக்காலச் சோழர்கள் மற்றும் பிற்காலச் சோழர்கள் காலத்தில் கோயிலுக்கு நிலங்கள், பொன் மற்றும் விளக்குகள் தானமாக வழங்கப்பட்டதை இக்கல்வெட்டுகள் குறிப்பிடுகின்றன.

பொயு 16 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கிருஷ்ணதேவராயர் கால கல்வெட்டுகள், கோயிலின் தேர் மற்றும் அதற்கான பாதை தொடர்பான செய்திகளை பதிவு செய்கின்றன.

 

Ref

வாதி கேசரி அழகிய மணவாள ஜீயர் மடம்

LEGENDS

In ancient times, the town also acquired the name 'Kozhiyur' because a rooster defeated an elephant in battle here. This legend is also told in another way: the Elephant’s musth was removed by hitting it on the forehead with the rooster.  

The place came to be known as 'Thiru-Uraiyur' because Goddess Mahalakshmi incarnated on a lotus flower and took up residence here, thereby resolving King Nanda Chola's sorrow over not having a child. King Nanda Chola also arranged the marriage of Kamalavalli Nachiyar of Uraiyur to Maha Vishnu.

Thiruppaanazhwar, the eleventh of the 12 Azhwars, was born at this place.

Devotees pray to Nachiyar to get rid of marriage obstacles on Ayilya nakshatra day (the birth star of Nachiyar), and to reunite the separated couples. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas as per pancharathra, special poojas are conducted. On Masi month Deipirai Ekadasi day, Kamalavalli Thayar alone comes out through parama pada vassal / Swarga Vasal. 

 

In the month of Panguni, on the birth star of Ayilyam Nakshatra day of Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar of Uraiyur, Sri Ranganatha visits Nachiyar temple, where the Sriranganatha and Nachiyar give darshan to the devotees. Thayar blesses young women born under the Ayilyam star with marriage; this is a sacred site where devotees offer prayers for this purpose.

Festivals such as the Kodai Utsavam, Vasantha Utsavam, Jyeshtabhishekam, Thiruppavadai, Navaratri Festival, Oonjal Utsavam, Thiruadhyayana Utsavam (opening of the Paramapada Vasal), and the Float Festival (Teppa Utsavam) are celebrated for the Uraiyur Nachiyar Temple. On the day of the Float Festival and the following day— called the Pandakkatchi event—the Nachiyar is taken on a procession through the streets in a floral palanquin.

Just like Srirangam, naivedyam such as Pongal, Periyavasaram, Sheerannam, Vellichamba, and Aravanai Thaligai are offered for Azhagiya Manavalan and Kamalavalli Nachiyar. For naivedyam, instead of Chilli, only pepper is used.

Utsava mandapam

Played during poojas and celebrations

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.  

Darshan timings are from 06.15 hrs to 08.00 hrs, from 09.45 hrs to 12.15 hrs, from 16.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs, and from 18.45 hrs to 20.15 hrs. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Rangaraja Battar may be contacted on his mobile number +919443307605 for poojas.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Uraiyur, about 400 meters from Sri Panchavarneswarar Temple, one of the Padal Petra Shiva Temples, 4 km from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 4.6 km from Trichy Railway Station, and 5.8 km from Srirangam.

The nearest Railway Station is Trichy Junction. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Madhyarjuneshwarar Temple / மத்தியார்ஜுனேஸ்வரர் கோவில், Pettavaithalai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

 அம்பாள் துதி

பாலாம்பிகேச வைத்யேச

பவரோக ஹரேதிச!

ஜபேந் நாமத்ரயம் நித்யம்

மஹாரோக நிவாரணம்!!

The visit to this Sri Madhyarjuneswarar Temple at Pettavaithalai, in Tiruchirappalli District, was a part of “திருச்சி மரபு நடை - Tiruchirappalli Heritage Walk”, from 18^th to 19^th July 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

Moolavar          : Sri Madhyarjuneshwarar

Consort            : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. A mini dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of Shiva’s sannidhi. A Rishabam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Vinayagar (Vinayagar looks unique, since he turns his head to the right side), Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Nalvar, Brahmahathi pillar, Chandran, PoRRalam Poovai Siddhar on a pillar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi that faces South. Ambal Balambigai is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Bickshadanar - Bairavar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukka mandapam. The temple was built with stone from adhistam to prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnukantha pilasters with square base, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veera kandam and Vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with birds / bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari.

The vimanam above the bhumi desam was constructed with bricks. The vimanam consists of one tala, greevam, and a dravida sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Ashtadikpalakas are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 12^th to 13^th centuries, Chozha period. As per the display board, the temple was constructed during Kulothunga Chozha III’s period. As per the inscriptions, this place was called Rajendrachōlapēttai in Sūralūr kürram, a sub-division of Tenkarai Rajagambhira valanadu.

திருச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் "பட்ட வாய்த்தலை" என்று ஓர் ஊர் இருக்கிறது. இப்பெயர் எவ்வாறு வந்தது என்பது குறித்துப் பல கருத்து கள் உண்டு. வரலாறு என்ன கூறுகிறது? 'வெட்டுவார் நாயன்' என்ற ஒருவன் மூன்றாம் ராஜராஜன் காலத்தில் வாழ்ந்தான். அவன் முசிறியில் செல்லும் வாய்க்காலுக்கு ஒரு வாய்த்தலை கல்லால் கட்டுவித்தான். வெட்டுவார் நாயன் வாய்த்தலை' என்பது பேட்டை வாய்த்தலை என்று ஆகி பின்னர் 'பட்ட வாய்த்தலை' என்று மறுவி விட்டது போலும்! இதோ கல்வெட்டு…

திரிபுவநச்சக்கரவர்த்திகள் ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜ தேவற்கு யாண்டு ௪ வது வடகரை ராஜராஜ வளநாட்டு முசிறியான மும்முடிச்சோழப் பேட்டையில் தலை பெற்ற கடைகானகமான கரிகால பேராற்று நிலவாளை வெட்டுவார்நாயன் வாய்த்தலை கல்லால் செய்வித்தான் வாண கோவரையர் சாமந்த முதலிகளில் மணலூருடையான் இராமன் சோழகோநான வெட்டுவார்நாயன்.

(சாசனம்-754 - D. 3302-1-), இது சாசனமாகத் தோன்றவிலலை, ஊரின் புராண வரலாறு போலும்.

This does not appear to be an inscription, but only some legendary account of the place.

(சாசனம் -755 - D. 3302-1-), (சாசனத்தில் நடுநடுவே பகுதி விட்டுப்போயிருப்பதாகக் காணகிறது)

Record dated in the cyclic year Kilaka, navami, Monday in the reign of the Vijayanagara ruler Vira Praudhayarayar, son of Vira Vijayarāya Mahārāya, registering the grant of some land to the two temples of gods, Marudiśvaram Udaiyar (which is probably a mistake for Sömēsvaram Udaiyar mentioned in another place of the record) and Agnisvaram Udaiyar. It further states that these two temples were lying neglected for some time previously. The place is referred to as Rajendrachōlapēttai in Sūralūr kürram, a sub-division of Tenkarai Rajagambhira valanadu.

The name of the ruler is evidently Vira Praudhadeva-Maharayar.

(சாசனம்-756 - D. 3302-1-67), மேற்படியூரில் வடக்கு வாசலிலே இருக்கப்பட்ட சாசனம்.

In the same village, at the northern gateway, record stating that 10051 13/16 vēlis of land was the Tiruvidaiyattam land of the temples of gods Sõmēsvaradēva and Agnisvaradēva at Pētțaivayitulai ın Rājagambhira-valanadu.

 

(சாசனம் -757- D. 3302-1-9)

Record dated in the 7th year [125th day] of the reign of Chōla king Parakēsarivarman alias Rajarajan Rajendracholadeva registering the assignment of certain income of the chettis (merchants) of Rajendrachōlapet all to meet the expenses of Havirbali and archana to god Mahādēva of the village.

(சாசனம்-758 - D 3302-1-5), வெட்டுவாய்த்துலை நடு கல் குத்துக் கல்லில் இருக்கும் சாசனம்.

On a stone set up at Vettuvayttulai. This simply gives the width of the three vents.

(சாசனம் 759- D. 3302-1-) வெட்டுவாய்த் துலை சாசனம்

At Vețuvāyttalai, a damaged record dated in the 20th regnal year of the Chola king (Tribhuvana) Chakravartin Kulottunga Choladeva (III), who was pleased to capture Madurai and the crowned head of the Pandya, probably registering the number of villages to be irrigated from the supply of water through the channel and the water-level to be maintained.

(சாசனம்-760- D. 3302-1-25)

Record dated in Saka 1608, Parabhava, Chittirai in the reign of the Madurai Nayaka ruler Ranga Krishna Muttu Virappa Nayakarayyan, a descendant of Visvanātha Nayaka, stating that the agent to the ruler repaired the head-sluice of the channel which had been originally constructed by the Chola monarch and which had fallen into ruins. It also states how the bund was to be protected in times of floods.

Ref:

1. Theninthiya Koil Sasanangal Part –II.

2. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1890.

3. கல்வெட்டு 15

After renovation of the Rajagopuram and painting, Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 01^st July 1971, Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22^nd August 1913, and 04^th September 1968,

LEGENDS

This is a prarthana sthalam for the ladies. The ladies pray to Ambal and Porralam Poovai Siddhar to get rid of problems due to uterus, irregular menses, attaining age/ puppetry, and childbirth issues by writing on a paper and tying it at the temple.

It is believed that Kulothunga Chozha III got relieved of his Brahmahathi dosha in this temple and was blessed with a child boon.

Porralam Poovai Siddhar

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, and Thaipoosam day. Shiva of Rishaba vahana joins with the other 7 Shiva Temples on the banks of the South and North.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This place, Pettavaithalai, is on the Trichy – Karur Highway, and the temple is about one km from the Pettavaithalai Bus stop.

The temple is 9 km from Kulithalai, 10 km from Thiruparaithurai, and 31 km from Trichy.

The nearest Railway Station is Pettaivaithalai, and the junction is Trichy.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Vinayagar's unusual posture

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---