This
Jagathrakshaka Perumal Temple at Thirukoodalur in Thanjavur is one of the 108
Diva Desams and the 08th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. This temple is also
called as Aduthurai Perumal Temple. This
place Thirukoodalur is on the north banks of river Kaveri and in between the
rivers Kaveri and Kollidam.
Mangalasasanam
of this temple was done by Thirumangai Alwar, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham (
1358 – 67 ).
1358
தாம்தம் பெருமை யறியார், தூது
வேந்தர்க் காய வேந்த ரூர்போல்,
காந்தள் விரல்மென் கலைநன் மடவார்,
கூந்தல் கமழும் கூட லூரே
1367
காவிப் பெருநீர் வண்ணன், கண்ணன்
மேவித் திகழும் கூட லூர்மேல்,
கோவைத் தமிழால் கலியன் சொன்ன,
பாவைப் பாடப் பாவம் போமே
….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal
/ Sri
Vaiyam Katha Perumal
Thayar : Sri Padmasani / Sri Pushpavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are ….
The
temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, a small
dwajasthambam, and Garudan are after the rajagopuram. Stucco images of Perumal
with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Garuda, and Anjaneya are on the top of the entrance
to the mandapam. Stucco dwarapalakas are on both sides of sanctum
sanctorum. Moolavar is in standing
posture along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Moolavar is with 4 hands. While the
upper hands are holding shankha and Chakra, the lower right hand is in abhaya
hastam. Utsavars are in-front of Moolavar.
Thayar
Sri Padmasani / Sri Pushpavalli, is in a separate sannidhi facing East. Stucco
dwarapalakis are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Thayar is in sitting
posture with abhaya varada hastam.
In
the maha mandapam, Ramar with Sita and Lakshmana, Chakkarathalwar / Yoga Narasimhar,
In
praharam, Thayar Sri Pushpavalli, Andal,
Bhoovarahar, Vishwaksena, Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and
Alwars Pillai Lokacharya, Alavandar, Manavala Mamunigal, Ramanujar,
Thirumangai Alwar .
The
jackfruit tree in the praharam has a special attraction. The two branches
form a shankha image is believed to be a miracle and mystery. This was formed
during regrowth after one branch was
dead.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha
mandapam. The mandapas are of vavvalnethi mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on
pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and Pattika. The
bhitti starts with Vedika. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and Pushpa pothys. The prastaram consists
of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and viyyalavari. The eka tala Vimanam above the
prastaram is of bricks with vesara sigaram. The Vimanam is Sutha satva Vimanam.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple may belong to 07th to 09th Century and the latter received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras, Madurai Nayakas, and Marathas. 10th Century Chozha period fragment inscriptions are
found on the Rajagopuram wall. The Inscriptions are kept upside down during
renovations. Vijayanagara period fragments Tamil and Telugu inscriptions are
found on the adhistanam and walls.
The
present temple was believed to be built, by Rani Mangammal ( 1689 – 1704 CE ) and
her bas-relief is on one of the pillars.
Moolavar
and Thayar sannidhis were renovated and Maha samprokshanam was performed on 11th June 2003. This was sponsored by N C Sridhar, an auditor and
the Managing Trustee of Sri Thirumangai Alwar Seva Trust.
Rani Mangammal
A Chozha period fragment inscription stone
17th to 18th Century inscriptions
LEGENDS
As
per the sthala purana, the asura Hiranyaksha took this earth and split it to two
kept in patala loka. Maha Vishnu took the form of Varaha and brought back the
earth ( this sthala purana is also applicable to Srimushnam, one of the Maha
Vishnu Temple ). Hence Maha Vishnu is
being called as Jagathrakshaka Perumal and Sri Vaiyam Kaatha Perumal ( வைய்யம் காத்த பெருமாள்
). This was mentioned by Thirumangai Alwar in his
pasuram as .. “புகுந்தான்
ஊர்”. It is
believed that the gap near the Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is the center
point of the earth where Maha Vishnu emerged.
1366
பெருகு காத லடியேன் உள்ளம்,
உருகப் புகுந்த வொருவ ரூர்போல்,
அருகு கைதை மலர, கெண்டை
குருகென் றஞ்சும் கூட லூரே
All
the Devas and sages assembled/gathered here, including Nandaka, to worship Sri
Jagathrakshaka Perumal of this temple, after emerging from patala loka. Hence this
place was called Thirukoodalur (assemble/gather in Tamil – கூடல் ).
It
is believed that Perumal gave darshan to Sage Nandaka and king Ambarisha.
As per the legend, King Ambrisha was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu of
this temple. On the way to this temple, he didn’t notice the sage Durvasa on
the way. Durvasa got angry and cursed the king. King Ambarisha, prayed to Sri
Jagathrakshakan Perumal to save him. Maha Vishnu sent his Chakra to chase
away the sage. Hence moolavar is also called as Amrisha Varadar.
It
is believed that the original images/idols were washed away due to a flood in
the Kollidam river, the same was recovered back by Rani Mangammal. Her, bas relief can be seen on the mandapa
pillars.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on annual brahmotsavam in the
month of Vaikasi, Vaikunda Ekadasi in the month of Margazhi
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
19.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
mobile number of KasturiRangan +919659880628, may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH
This
temple is on the northern side banks of river Kaveri. The temple is on the bus
route between Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru.
The
temple is about, 6 KM from Ayyampet, 12 KM from Papanasam, 24 KM from
Kumbakonam, 12 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, and 22 KM from Thanjavur.
The nearest railway station ( big ) is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Alwars sannidhi
The
Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur
and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Cuircuit.
Thanks to Mr Balakumaran.
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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