Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal Temple at Thirukoodalur is one of the 108 Divya Desams. The name Thirukoodalur or Koodalur is not well known now. If you want to ask for directions, ask for Aduthurai Perumal Koil. this Aduthurai is not to be confused with the Aduthurai near Thiruvidaimarudhur. There are a group of Vaishnava temples around Kumbakonam which are considered navagraha Parihara sthalams. This did come as a surprise to me because the Vaishnavites do not believe in navagraha worship. This is the Kethu parihara sthalam. There is a prominent board in this temple that authenticates this. The Moolavar (Main Deity) is known as Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal and the Utsavar (Deity taken out in procession during festivals) is Jagatrakshakan. His consort here is Padmasanavalli. The sacred tree (Sthala Vruksham) is the Jackfruit tree. The Palamaran (Jack fruit tree) at this temple is very unique as you can see a huge formation on the tree that resembles a sangu (conch). This tree is known as sangu pathintha palamaram.
The Lord at Aduthurai Perumal Koil is seen with his discus ready to leave His hand. He is known as Prayoga Chakradari. A king by name Ambarishan was a devout Vaishnavite. In his devotion to Lord Vishnu he neglected his kingdom. As a result he lost his kingdom to the neighbouring king. Undeterred, the king continued his service to Vishnu. Once when he was in a deep state of meditation, Durvasa Maharishi came to meet him. The king who was immersed in his prayers to Lord Vishnu did not notice the sage. Durvasa Maharishi felt insulted by this act of King Ambarishan and cursed him. A shaken Ambarishan prayed to Lord Vishnu seeking his help. Mahavishnu was angry with Durvasa Maharrishi for punishing His devotee for no fault of his. Mahavishnu used the discus intending to cut off the Sage’s head. Before any damage could be done, the Sage realised his folly and apologised to the Lord. As a mark of gratitude, Ambarishan built a temple at the same spot where the current Aduthurai Perumal Koil is located. The Lord is also known as Ambarisha Varadar after King Ambarishan. Devotees who pray at Aduthurai Perumal Koil are believed to be protected by the discus of Vishnu.
Bathing in the holy rivers, according to Hindu scriptures, washes away one’s sins. These holy rivers that accumulate the sins washed away by the people purify themselves by having a dip in the Cauvery. Cauvery who accumulated all the sins approached Brahma for a solution to the problem. Brahma directed Cauvery to pray to Lord Vishnu at this sacred place and accordingly Cauvery was purified. Praying at Aduthurai Perumal Koil is believed to absolve the devotees of all their sins and enable to attain Moksham or Salvation.
Offerings of Kalkandu (Rock Sugar – wonder if that is the correct translation) and butter are made to the Lord. The benefits of making these offerings are abundant wealth and marital bliss. Nandhaga Munivar came to this holy place accompanied by all the Devas. Koodal in tamil means together. Since they all came together this place came to be known as Thirukoodalur.
It is believed that this is the place where Mahavishnu incarnated as the Boar (Varaha Avatharam) and prevents the Earth from sinking into the ocean. Hiranyaksha, a demon was granted a boon by that he shall neither be killed by a man nor beast nor God. Emboldened by this boon, Hiranyaksha embarks on a destruction spree and pushes the Earth into the sea. He does not spare even Brahma, his benefactor. While Brahma is fast asleep he steals the Vedas from Him. The Devas plead to Mahavishnu to put an end to the cruelty. Mahavishnu takes the Varaha Avtaram and lifts the Earth from the ocean with the help of his tusks. He then kills Hiranyaksha and salvages the Veda from him. Since He saved the world from extinction, He is known as Vaiyam Kattha Perumal or Jagatrakshakan. The original temple built by Ambarishan was washed away by floods. Mahavishnu appeared in the dream of Rani Mangammal of Madurai and asked her to build a new temple for Him. The present temple is the one built by her. In one of the Pillars of the temple you can see the image of Rani Mangammal.
Temple Location:
Aduthurai Perumal Koil is located on Kallanai-Kumbakonam Road at a distance about 10 Kms from Thingalur and 12 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru. Tanjore is at a distance of 25 Kms from here.
Boarding & Lodging
Have your travel base at either Tanjore which is at 25 Kms from here or Kumbakonam which is at 23 Kms from Aduthurai Perumal Koil.
Other Temples Nearby:
Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur
Gajendra Varadha Perumal Koil, Kapisthalam
Ganapathy Agraham – Mahaganapathy Alayam
Kailasanathar kovil, Ayyampettai
Pashupathinathar Temple – Pashupathi Koil
Chakravageswarar Temple – Thiru Chakkarappalli
Hara Saba Vimochanar, Thirukandiyur
Brahmasira Kandeeswarar, Thirukandiyur
Thyagarajaswamy Temple, Tiruvaiyaru
Pancha Nadheeswarar temple, Tiruvaiyaru
Temple Timings: 7.30 AM to 12.30 PM & 4 PM to 7.30 PM
Temple Address:
Arulmigu Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal Thirukoil
Thirukoodalur 614 202.
Tanjore District
Phone: +91-93452-67501, +91-93443-03803,