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Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple,Thanjavur,Tamil Nadu
Locality/village : Koviladi
State : Tamil Nadu
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Tanjavur
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Tamil& English
Temple Timings : 7.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.
Photography : Not Allowed
The Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple ,Tamil Nadu
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple or Thirupper Nagar is a Hindu temple located in Koviladi, a village 10 miles (16 km) from Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Vishnu and is one of the Divya Desams—the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints or Alwars. It is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams located on the banks of the Cauvery River. The other Pancha Ranga Kshetrams are Sri Rangam, Thiru Indalur, Sri Rangapatanam and Kumbakonam.
Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity:
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Appakkudathaan. He is also called as “Appalaa Ranganathan”. Prathyaksham for Ubamannyu and Parasarar(Bhattar). Moolavar in Kidantha Kolam and in bhujanga sayanam-reclining posture is facing west. The Thayaar of this Sthalam is Indira Devi. Also called as “Kamala Valli”.
Architecture:
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple has inscriptions from the 18th year of the reign of Aditya Chola. The recorded inscriptions in this temple are numbered 283, 300, 301 and 303 of 1901. As per Nammazhwar, the temple was home to the Vedic scholars of the time. The inscriptions in the temple indicate donations given towards the building of the main hall. Koviladi was one of the focal points of fighting in the regions surrounding Tiruchirapalli during the Anglo-French war; there are no records on the contributions or damages caused by this war.
The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram facing west and an elevated structure approached through 21 steps. The Moolavar (presiding deity) of the temple, “Appala Rangan”, is seen in Bhujangasayanm (a reclining posture) facing west and is surrounded by Bhooma Devi and Kamala Valli Thaayar. The central deity is depicted in a reclining posture called pujanga sayanam, and he is shown holding the holy pot in his right hand. The sanctum also contains the image of Upayamanyu and Dhurvarsa. The central deity is called Appala Ranganathar; he is located away from the Ranganathar in Srirangam. The temple has a prakaram (precinct) around the sanctum.
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple,Sri Rangam,Tamil Nadu
As per Hindu legend, the king Upamanyu earned the wrath of sage Durvasar and lost all his physical strength. To get rid of the curse, he was asked to feed one lakh people everyday. One day, Hindu god Vishnu disguised himself as an old man, appeared before the king and asked for a meal. The king went on donating and the old man consumed all the food prepared for the people. The king was shocked and bewildered at this strange act. The old man asked for a kudam (pot) of Neyyaappam (a sweatmeal), stating that only it can fulfill his hunger. The king fulfilled the wish and later realised that it was Vishnu who had appeared as the old man. The king was relieved of the sage’s curse by the blessings of Vishnu. Because of the legend, Vishnu is called “Appakkudathaan” in the temple. Appam is a sweet preparation offered to Gods as nivedhana. Perumal got the name Appakudathan as he received the pot of Appam from king Upamanyu.
It is believed that this temple is where sage Markandeya was liberated from his curse from Yama (god of death), who cursed Markandeya to die at 16 years old. The central deity is Ranganatha, who is believed to have crushed Indira’s (a celestial deity) pride. The place is called “Koviladi” because it is located downstream of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, which is referred as kovil in Vaishnava tradition. The azhwars refer the place as “Tiruppernagar” in Nalayira Divya Prabandam, a Vaishnava canon.
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple remains open from 7.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.
The chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple and the surrounding villages. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (April–May); devotees pull a chariot round the streets of Koviladi. Verses from the Nalayira Divya Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests and music made with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) is played. Vaikunta Ekadashi during December–January, Navarathri during September–October and butter pot breaking ceremony (locally called uri adi) are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.
By Road
Tiruchi is well connected road from various cities in Tamilnadu.
By Rail
Tiruchi is an important railway Station of Southern Railway and is well connected with the towns and cities of the state.
By Air
Nearest Airport is Tiruchi.
