Visit to Temples around Thiruvaiyaru – Day 4, Part 2 – Aduthurai Perumal temple and Thiruvedhikkudi – Raju’s Temple Visits

After the visit of Sri Aiyarappar temple at Thiruvaiyaru, we came back to the room, took breakfast and then went to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal temple. Since the temple was just opposite to our room, the gopurams were visible from inside our room itself and we were waking up daily with the gopuram dharisanam of this Perumal.

Here again, in spite of being a Divya desam, the Bhattar comes only after 9 AM. We were seeing people waiting outside all the days when we go out for our trip. Ironically, even on a Saturday, even for a Divya desam, when we were going out to Sri Ayyarappan temple in the morning, we had seen people waiting outside. As said earlier, people don’t visit the temples often, the gurukkals/ bhattars were offered very negligible monthly salary and so they have no other way. Even when we visited by 10 AM, this divya desam had nobody except us.

23) DD008 – Sri Jagatharakshaga Perumal Temple at Aaduthurai (Thirukoodalur) Divya Desam

Location: In the Kabistalam – Thiruvaiyaru route, 6 kms from Kabistalam; 20 kms from Kumbakonam; 2 kms before Ganapathy Agraharam, on the main road itself. The place is better known as Aaduthurai Perumal koil than Thirukoodalur, not to be confused with the more popular Aduthurai near Thiruvidaimarudhur.

Moola moorthies: Sri Jagadhrakshaga Perumal/ Sri Vaiyyam Kaatha Perumal/ Sri Uyyanthavar in standing posture with Thayar Sri Padmasini/ Sri Pushpavalli
Vimanam: Suddha Sathva Vimanam
Theertham: Cauveri and Chakra theertham

Significances:

One of the 108 Divya desams.
Kethu parihara sthalam of Vaishnavaite Navagraha sthalams around Kumbakonam.
In the sthalavruksha jackfruit tree, there is a natural formation of big conch (chanku)

Legend:

Demon Hiranyakshaka went on a destruction spree, tortured all devas and rishis, caught hold of the earth and went into hiding at Pathala lokham. He did not spare even Brahma and the Vedas. Unable to bear the sufferings of the Mother earth, Nandhaga Maharishi brought in all the devas and rishis together to this holy place to request Bhagwan Vishnu to save the earth. ‘Koodal’ in tamil and ‘Sangamam’ in sanksrit means together and since all the devas and rishis came together to this place, this came to be known as Thirukkoodalur in tamil and Sri Sangamapuri in sanskrit. Bhagwan Vishnu then took the Varaha (boar) avatar and went into the pathala lokha, destroyed the demon, lifted the earth from the ocean with His tusks and salvaged the Vedas. Since He saved the earth from extinction, He is known as ‘Vaiyam Kattha Perumal’ or ‘Jagatrakshakan’.
The place where Bhagwan Vishnu, in Varaha avatar, entered into the earth on His way to the pathala lokha is considered as this place and Srimushnam, the popular Varaha kshetram nearby is considered as the place from where He got up, lifting up the earth. So, the antiquity of this kshetram is even older than Varaha avathar period and Srimushnam.
A King by name Ambarishan was a devout Vaishnavite. In his devotion to Bhagwan Vishnu, he neglected his kingdom and so lost it also. Undeterred, the King continued his service to Bhagwan Vishnu. Once when he was in a deep state of meditation, Durvasa Maharishi came to meet him and the King did not notice the sage. Durvasa Maharishi felt insulted and so cursed him. A shaken Ambarishan prayed to Bhagwan Vishnu seeking His help. Mahavishnu was angry with Durvasa Maharrishi and was about to apply 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 Bhagwan. As a mark of gratitude, King Ambarishan built a temple at the same spot where the current Aduthurai Perumal Koil is located. The Bhagwan is also known as Ambarisha Varadar. The Bhagwan here is seen with his discus ready to leave His hand and He is known as Prayoga Chakradari. Devotees who pray here are protected by the discus of Sri MahaVishnu.
Nandhaga Maharishi was living in an ashram here worshipping Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal. His daughter Ushi was doing all the services in the ashram. A Chandra vamsa King Viswajith fell in love with Ushi and wanted to marry her. Nandhaga maharishi felt that the status of Ushi in ashram in no way match the status of a King but finally had to agree. Ushi, though lived in the palace, was always thinking about the Perumal. So, she used to get up very early, come here to do her services to the Perumal and then return to the Kingdom before dawn. The King’s relatives unable to accept an ashram girl as a queen, told all wrong things about Ushi going out of the palace every day before dawn. Without even trying to find facts, the King sent out Ushi. She came back to Nandhaga Maharishi and he asked her to continue her services to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal. Meanwhile, the King’s relatives conspired and snatched the kingdom from him. So Viswajith lost his wealth, kingdom and health and was wandering all over. Ushi, without knowing the whereabouts of her husband Viswajith, prayed to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal for his wellbeing. Perumal then appeared before Viswajith as a sage and advised him to go to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal, surrender to His devotees and get their foot dust over him. Viswajith came here rolled over the mud walked over by the Perumal’s devotees and fell at the entrance of the temple. Ushi came in the early morning to the temple and trampled over Viswajith due to darkness. Having realised it was Viswajith, she was shocked, brought him to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal and prayed. Since Viswajith was trampled over by His devotee, Perumal pardoned him and gave darshan to them. Viswajith got back all the lost wealth and health but he rejected all the wealth to do the divine service to Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal here along with Ushi and Nandhaga Maharishi . Since the separated couples got reunited here, this is called Koodalur or Sri Sangamapuri. So, this is a good place to pray for the reunion of the separated couples.
Bathing in the holy rivers, according to Hindu scriptures, washes away one’s sins. These holy rivers that accumulate the sins from the people purify themselves by having a dip in the Cauvery. Cauvery, who accumulated all the sins approached Brahma for a solution to her problem. Brahma directed Cauvery to pray to Bhagwan Vishnu at this sacred place. When Cauvery came here in desperation (in flood) she washed away the temple and its deities. Since Cauvery got embraced by the Perumal here, she got purified and got back her beauty. Praying at Aduthurai Perumal Koil is believed to absolve the devotees of all their sins and enable to attain Moksham or Salvation.
A parrot living in the nadavanam here was pronouncing Hari always. When it was shot by a hunter once, it is said that Perumal gave mukthi to the parrot. It is said that the parrot was a good intellect in its previous birth but was arrogant and insulted others. That was reason it took birth as a parrot here. Since it was always pronouncing Hari, the Perumal cleared of its sins and gave prathyaksham. So, it is considered worshipping at this temple will clear off our previous birth sins also. We can see many parrots at the nandavanam even now and maybe they will be pronouncing Hari or Ram, you may watch.
Thirumangai Azhwar had done mangalasasanam of this Perumal with 10 pasurams.

The Temple:

The original temple built by Ambarishan was washed away by Cauvery floods along with the deities. The deities were caught in the fishing net by the fishermen. Sri Mahavishnu appeared in the dream of Rani Mangammal of Madurai and asked her to build a new temple for Him and showed her the place also. The present temple was built by her. In one of the temple pillars we can see the sculpture of Rani Mangammal.

Sri Jagadhraksha Perumal is in a standing posture along with Sri Sridevi and Sri Boodevi. He is holding the Thiruvazhippadai chakra in a ready to leave His hand form and He is known as Prayoga Chakradari. Devotees who pray here are protected by the discus of Sri MahaVishnu.
There is an inner praharam and an outer praharam.
Sri Varadharaja Perumal with Thayars Sri Sridevi and Sri Boodevi are present in the inner mandapam of the grabagraham.

Sri Padmasini Thayar and Sri Andal are present in separate shrines in the outer praharam.

Sri Thayar shrine:

Sri Andal shrine:

In the sthalavruksha jackfruit tree, there is a natural formation of big conch (chanku) which got formed when it was being planned to cut down a portion of the tree for renovation purpose. Normally it will be covered with turmeric and appear distinctly in yellow but during our visit the turmeric cover had washed off due to the rainy season.

During our earlier visit we had seen in clear yellow colour (2010)

Photos from this visit (2024):

From net:

Chakrathazhwar/ Sri Narasimhar are present in the outer mandapam of the garbagraham.
Azhwars shrine is present in the outer praharam.

Sri Anjaneyar in a separate shrine is in a happy dancing mood at the end of the street opposite to the temple

Timings: 7:30 am to 12.30 pm and 4:30 pm to 8.30 pm – contact and go.
Contact: Sri Kasthurirangan Bhattar @ 96598 80628/ Sri Venkatesa Bhattar @ 04374-244279, 93452-67501, 93443-03803,

Links: Location Photos Weblink

Our next temple was Sri Vedhapureeswarar Temple at Thiruvedhikkudi, another Sapthasthana sthalam. It was 14kms/ half an hour drive from the Aaduthurai Perumal koil and we reached there by 11:30 AM.

24) SCN014 – Sri Vedhapureeswarar Temple at Thiruvedhikkudi

Location: 6 kms SouthEast of Thiruvaiyaru

Significances:

One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams
One of the Saptha sthana sthalams
The temple houses 108 Shivalingams and 27 star lingams
A parihara sthalam for a good marriage, family and reunion of separated couples
A good prayer sthalam for gaining good knowledge

Moola moorthies: Sri Vedhapureeswarar/ Sri Vaazhaimadunaathar with Sri Mangayarkarasi Ambal.

Legend:

Sri Brahmma, called as Vedhi, and the four Vedhas have worshipped Bhagwan Shiva here and hence the name Vedhikkudi. Those worshipping Bhagwan Sri Vedhapureeswarar here will become scholars in Vedhas and in general, knowledge.
As many scholars well versed in Vedhas lived here, the place was also once known as Chaturvedi Mangalam. As a spatha sthana sthalam, the vedhic scholars went to Sri Nandhikeswara’s marriage from this place.
Per nearby Aduthurai Perumal koil legend, demon Hiranyakshakan captured earth and vedhas and went into hiding at Pathala lokha. Sri Mahavishnu took the Varaha avatar, went into the pathala lokha, brought back the earth and salvaged the vedhas. Since the vedhas were in captive under the demons for some period, they got dosham and so they worshipped Bhagwan Shiva here to cleanse themselves.
As Bhagwan Shiva appeared as swayambu from the plantain (Vazhai) field, He is also called as Vazhaimadu Nathar.
Bhagwan Vishnu, Markandeyan, Guberan, Sun God, Indira and Sage Vyasa had worshipped Bhagwan Shiva at this temple
A Chola king was much worried about the delay of his daughter’s marriage. He came to this temple and submitted his prayers to Ambal Sri Mangayarkarasi. The marriage took place soon and he changed the name of his daughter as Mangayarkarasi as a token of gratitude to this Mother. He also did many renovations to the temple.

The Temple:

Sri Vedhapureeswarar is present as a Swayambu lingam facing East and Ambal Sri Mangayarkarasi facing South is present in a separate shrine outside the temple.
The temple has a 3 tier Rajagopuram and one outer prakara. It has no proper periphery wall and so the Ambal shrine and Nandhi mandapam are seemingly located outside of the main temple.

Sri Vedha Vinayagar in the name of Sevi Saitha Vnayagar (செவி சாய்த்த விநாயகர் in Tamil, Listening Vinayagar in English) is present at the entrance to the Sanctum in a unique posture of His head slightly tilted, as He is keenly listening to the Vedha mantras.
In the inner praharam, 27-star lingams, Sri Vishnu Durgai, Saptha sthana lingams, Sri Kala Bairavar and Sri Suryan are present.

In the outer praharam, 108 Shivalingams, Sri Valli Sri Devasena sametha Sri Subramanyar, Sri Natarajar, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Lakshmi Narayanar and Sri Anjaneyar are present.

Sri Anjaneyar without head crown is present in the outer praharam

In the koshtam, Sri Dakshinamoorthy, Sri Ardhanareeswarar, Sri Brahmma and Sri Durga are present (Vinayagr is absent).

Bhagwan Shiva, called as Ammaiappan (mother and father) in ardhanareeswarar form has given half of his body to Mother Shakthi to indicate that either of them cannot exist without the other. Here, in one step higher to give respect to women, He has given His right side to Mother Shakthi in contrast to the usual position of left side to Mother Shakthi. So, this is considered as a good prayer sthalam to get a good understanding with love and affection among the couples. In the Thevara pathigam, it is mentioned that all the living creature couples in this sthalam are having a good loving relationship among them.

The koshta Dakshinamoorthy was worshipped by Sri Brahmma and so it is believed that students worshipping Him will gain good knowledge.

Since Bhagwan Shiva is present here as the head of Vedhas, people bring their kids to the temple before starting their schooling and devotees throng the temple on Saraswathi pooja day.
Sri Subramanyar of this temple was sung by Sri Arunagirinathar in his Thiruppugazh hymns. People with Sevvai dhoham worship Him to get relief.
The moolavar Vimanam is made of single stone. On the top 4 corners of the vimanam, 4 nandhis are present representing the 4 vedhas.

Mother Mangayarkkarasi, as the name indicates is the Queen of womenfolk and She is here to solve all the problems of the women and bless them long life with Mangalya bagyam. Ladies with Mangalya dhosham pray to this Ambal with yellow saree and mangalyam.
Thirunavukkarasar had sung one pathigam with 9 verses & 3 separate songs and Thirugnanasambandar had sung one pathigam with 10 verses & another separate song on this Bhagwan Shiva.
In the 7^th verse of Thirugnanasambandar’s pathigam, he mentions about this Bhagwan’s blessings to those aspiring for a good marriage. Reciting this 7^th verse (note that the 7^th place in the horoscope is the Kalathra sthanam, i.e., family partner) starting as ‘உன்னி இருபோதும்’ sincerely and daily for 48 days is believed to solve all the obstacles related to marriage. So, this is considered as a good parihara sthalam for a good/early marriage and good family. Also, the couples with misunderstandings and separation visit this temple to submit their prayers before the Bhagwan and get their problems solved.

There are inscriptions of Rajakesari Arulmozhi Varman and Koparakesari Varman Chola period. Pallava kings too had done renovations to the temple and so the temple belongs to the period of end of pallava and start of early chola. The temple thus has a combination of Pallava and Chola architecture.
Heritage experts say that the popular Nandhipuram which housed the Nandhipuram palace is nothing but the adjacent areas of Veerasingampettai, Sengamedu Rettaikkoil, & Aavikkarai in Thirukkandiyur and was called as Ayirathali (ஆயிரத்தளி). Ayiram in Tamil means 1000 and it is said that there were 1000+ bana lingams in that region, After the ruin of that place, these lingams were housed in different temples like, 275 lingams in Veersingampettai, 135 (108+27) lingams in Thiruvedhikkudi, northern praharam of Tanjore big temple etc., The dilapidated structures of the temples in this region were used in many adjacent temples like Thirukkandiyur etc.,
Sun rays fall on the sanctum for 3 days from the 13th day of the Tamil month of Panguni and special Surya poojas are conducted during that time.
The annual Brahmmotsavam falls in the Tamil month of Chithirai.
A big lingam is present under the sthala vruksham Vilva tree

…. In spite of the temple having so much of heritage and spiritual significances it is very pathetic to see the temple in bad maintenance. Forget about renovation, even the vegetations grown over the vimanam are not removed.

Contact: Sri Venkateswara Gurukkal (Mohan) @ 89733 87839
Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam
Theertham: Vedha Theertham

Links: Location Weblink

From here we then visited Thiruchotruthurai and Ariyamangai temples to complete our morning session. We will see that in the next post…