Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple / Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple, Thirukovilur, Kallakurichi District ( Ex -Villupuram District ), Tamil Nadu.

May , 2019.

This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Vamana Avathara – as Thiruvikrama at Thirukovilur, on the Southern bank of Thenpennai river. Mangalasasanam was done by Poigai Alwar, Bhoothathalvar, Peyalwar and Thirumangai Alwar. This is one of the three Divyadesams, where Ulagalantha Perumal as a Presiding deity. ( The other two places are at Kanchipuram and Sirkazhi). This is also one of the Panchakanna ( Krishnaranya )  Kshetrams ( The other places are in and around Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam ).

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal / Ulagalantha Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Poongothai, Pushpavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 11 tier 192 feet tall Rajagopuram, one of the tallest Rajagopuram next to Srivilliputhur and Srirangam Ranganathar Temple. There are 6 nos of taller 4 Pillar Mandapas and a 16 Pillar mandapam in front of Rajagopuram.

 Thiruvikrama Perumal holds Conch on the right hand and Chakra on the left hand ( different from usual posture ) and the right leg is raised, ready to keep the step on the third place posture. In Koshtam Perumal's various postures. In the prakara sannadhi for Venugopala, Krishna ( made of Salagram ),  Lakshmi Narayana, Lakshmi Raghava, Lakshmi Narasimha, Sri Rama, Vira Anjaneya, Sri Andal, Alwars Thirukachi Nambigal, Emperumanar, Koorathalwar, Shukracharya, the Guru of Asuras. Thayar Sri Poongothai Nachiyar is in a separate temple like sannadhi. It was told that the Vishnu Durgai is special here, since Durgai is swayambhu and normally seen at Shiva temples.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam.  The Vimana over the Sanctum is called as Sri Hara Vimana. It is believed that the moolavar Ulagalantha Perumal is made of “Tharu wood”.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though this temple was mentioned in Sangam literatures ( 3^rd Century BC to 3^rd century CE), When and by whom the temple was built are not known. The Original temple was built with brick and the same was replaced  with a stone temple by Virarajendra Chozha ( 1063 – 70 CE ) period, Rajendra Chozha-I, Chieftain Ranakesari Raman. The available inscriptions belongs to Chozha Kings Rajadhiraja (1018- 1054 CE ), Rajendra Chozha-II (1051-1063 CE ), Pandya Kings Vikrama Pandya, Pallava King Koperunsingan and Vijayanagara Kings Narasimha Devaraya ( 1485- 1491 CE ) and Sadasiva Raya ( 1542- 1570 CE ). The inscriptions speaks about construction of sannadhis, grants in terms of Lands, Gold, Kasus ( Money ), Cows, Sheep,  given to the temple for poojas Lighting of perpetual lamps, recitation of Vedhas  and festivals. It is interesting to note that common public which includes women also donated liberally. The temple was expanded during Vijayanagara and Nayak periods. During carnatic wars the temple was used as a bunker by the British and was attacked by Hyder Ali.

LEGENDS

There are many legends associated with this temple. It is believed that The Sangam period poet Avvaiyar arranged marriage for two Chieftains. Also Kapilar found two suitable grooms for King Pari’s daughters Angavai and Sangavai and set himself in fire. Parasurama and Agasthiyar worshiped Lord Thiruvikrama of this temple.

As per Bhagavata Purana, Mahabali ( Grand son of Pragalath) took the forcible control of Indraloka. To give back to Indira Vishnu took the avathar of Vamana ( Dwarf Brahmin ), and asked him three feet of Land. Mahabali agreed to give, in-spite of Guru Shukracharya's warning not to give.  The Vishnu – the Vamana took the Vishwaroop and measured Land and sky in two steps.  When Vishnu asked for the third place, Mahabali showed his head. Vishnu kept his foot on Mahabali’s head and blessed him with immortality.

In another legend,  It was a dark night and was raining out side. Poigai Alwar  first find a place for hide out and laid down. After some time there comes Bhoothathalvar. Both Sit together. Then came Peyalwar. He too was accommodated and all the three stands. In the Lighting the three Alwars, sensed that there is a 4^th person also standing  along with them. Poigai Alwar wished to see Perumal continuously, composed a song in which he mentions earth be big pot of lamp burning with ghee, which gives light as sun. Vishnu gave darshan to all the three Alwars. It was believed that all the three Alwars attained mukti in this place.

Another legend is associated with Mrugandu Rishi. When Vishnu came to their Ashram, at Thirukovilur  in the form of a hungry Brahmin. When Mrugandu Rishi  asked his wife to arrange food. Since she couldn’t arrange, prayed to Vishnu, the vessel was filled with food. When they came out to offer  to the Brahmin, Vishnu appeared before them with Conch and Chakra. Mrugandu Rishi requested Vishnu to show him the Vamana avathara and stay at Thirukovilur.

POOJAS AND FESTIVALS

Apart from regular poojas, Masi Magam, Sri Rama Navami, Visaka Garuda Seva, Nammalwar Satumurai, Adi festival to Andal, Sri Jayanthi in Avani, Manavala Mamunigal 10 days festival, Vaikunta Ekadesi  and 15 days Brahmotsavam in Panguni are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.15 hrs.

CONTACT:

The mobile number 948627990 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from bus stop

Thirukovilur is about   36 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 48 KM from Villupuram, 206 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Thirukovilur Railway station and bigger one is Villupuram.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---