Thirukkoodaloor Aduthurai Perumal Temple Timings:
Morning: 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening: 4:30 PM 8:30 PM
Jagad Rakshaka Perumal Temple or Thirukoodalur Aduthurai Perumal Temple in Vadakurangaduthurai, is a village in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. This Divya kshetram is located at a distance of 12 Kms from Tiruvaiyaru enroute to Kumbakonam, from Tanjavur by road.
The moolavar is called Vaiyamkaatha Perumaal or Jagatrakshakan in a standing posture. The Thayar is Padmasani also called Pushpavalli. The Theertham is Chakra Theertham and the Vimanam is Sutha satva Vimanam.
Legend goes that the Devas together with Nandaka Muni gathered at this kshetram to worship Lord Vishnu and hence gained the name Koodaloor – meaning meeting place.
Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple History:
In this sthalam, all the devars along with Nandhagarishi was given the prathyaksham of Sriman Narayanan. Since all of them gathered (koodi) all together, this sthalam is called as “Thirukkoodaloor”.
After coming to this sthalam only, the River Cauvery regained its speciality and holyness. Koodal + oor = Koodaloor. Koodal means joining (merging) together at the same place. Since, Cauvery is coming together in this Kshetram, this Kshetram is also called as “Sangama Kshetram”. Sangamam means joined together.
As per Hindu mythology, demon Hiranyaksha fought with mother earth and went underground, called Patala. Vishnu was born as Varaha, an avatar in the form of a boar to pierced underground. He split the earth into two parts and brought the two back at Srimushnam. Thirumangai Azhwar quotes the incident and calls the village as Pugunthaan Oor, meaning the place where Vishnu went inside the earth. Since Vishnu protected the world here, he is called Jagath Rakshaka Perumal (in Tamil as Vaiyam Katha Perumal). The gap seen in the sactum close to the image of Jagath Rakshaka is believed to be the centre point of earth and all devas came together to worship him. Since it brought all of them together, an act referred in Tamil as koodal, the village is called Thirukoodalur.
As per Hindu legend, King Ambarisha who immersed himself in the worship of Vishnu, failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. While doing worship, he also did not observe the sage Durvasa who went along his way. The sage got irritated and cursed the king. The king went to Vishnu for rescue, who sent his discus to chase the sage. The sage surrendered to Vishnu and begged pardon. The king Ambarishan is believed to have built the temple and hence the presiding deity is also called Ambarisha Varadhar at this place.
Once upon a time, all the Devas along with Nandhaga Rishi prayed for a dharshan to Lord Vishnu at Thirukkoodaloor – Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple. Impressed with their Poojas, the Lord appeared before them and gave a splendid Dharshan. Everybody requested that the Lord kill the Asura Hiranyaaksha.
Lord Vishnu was very happy with their Poojas and decided to kill the Asura Hiranyakshaka. Lord Vishnu cut open the earth, killed the Asura and reappeared, with Goddess Lakshmi, as Varaaha Moorthy (one of the 10 Avathaarams of Maha Vishnu) at Sri Mushnam.
As all of the Lords and Devas came together at Thirukkoodaloor – Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple and prayed to the Lord requesting for protection, this place has come to be called Koodalur (where people come together). The Lord who protected the village from the Asura was named as JagathRakshgan meaning “One who protects the World”.
It is believed that the temple was built by the medieval Cholas of the end of the 8th century AD, with subsequent contributions from the Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. A brick wall was built around the temple, enclosing all its sanctuaries and bodies of water.
It is believed that Jakath Rakshaka appeared in the sage Nandaka and King Ambarisha. Six daily rituals and three annual festivals are celebrated in the temple, Brahmostvam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June). The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam:
Tirumangai Azhwar – 1358–67 (pasuram numbers as in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam)
The original vigrahams in the temple were said to haven been washed away in the floods of kollidam river. Rani Mangammal recovered the idols, installed and renovated the temple. Images of Rani Mangammal and her ministers are found carved on the pillars of the mandapam in the temple. The annual brahmotsavam is during the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple Deity Details:
The presiding deity of Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple is Sri Vayyam Kaatha perumal. He is also called as Jeghathratshakan, Uyyavanthaar. The deity in Nindra Thirukkolam facing East side. Prathyaksham for Nanthaga Maharishi. Goddess is Padmasini (Pushpavalli) Thaayar.
Aaduthurai Perumal Temple Pooja Timings:
Ushathkalam Pooja at 7.00 AM
Kalasanthi Pooja at 8:00 AM
Uchikalam Pooja at 12:00 Noon
Sayarakshai Pooja at 5:00 PM
Irandamkalam Pooja at 6:00 PM
Ardha Jamam Pooja at 7:30 PM
Temples Near Aaduthurai Perumal Temple:
Andalakkum Aiyan Temple
Padikasu Nathar Temple
Gajendra Varadhan Temple
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal Temple
Appakudathan Temple
Adhivaraha Perumal Temple
How to Reach Aaduthurai Perumal Temple:
By Road:
There are regular government and private bus services to Chennai, Thanjavur, Mannargudi, Tiruchirapalli, Chidambaram, Nagapattinam, Coimbatore, Madurai, Pondicherry, and Tirunelveli. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates daily services from Bangalore and Mysore to Kumbakonam and other major places.
By Train:
Kumbakonam is connected by rail with most important towns and cities in South India. The Mysore- Mayiladuthurai Express connects Kumbakonam with Mysore and Bangalore. There are regular express trains that connect Kumbakonam with all major cities.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli International Airport which is 91 km from Kumbakonam.
Aduthurai Perumal Temple Address:
Sri Jagatharakshaga Perumal Temple
Thirukoodalur Ullikadai Post,
Papanasam Taluk,
SH 22, Thirukkoodalur,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu 614202.
