Padagacheri Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Padagacheri Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal Temple, Padagacheri Post, Valangaiman Taluk, Thiruvarur district – 612 804 Phone: + 91 43746 2815253 Mobile: +91 97517 34868 / 99528 48340

Diety

Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal Amman: Sridevi and Bhoodevi

Introduction

Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Padagacheri in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal. Mothers are Sridevi and Bhoodevi. River Vettaru runs in north-south direction in this hamlet. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.

Puranic Significance

Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal: The legend has that, when Ravana caged Sita, she had the strong hope that Lord Sri Rama would certainly come and rescue her. With a view to offer them clues, she dropped her jewels on the way and one such place was Padagacheri. Padagam means anklet. Lakshmana confirmed that it was the anklet of Mother Sita. When Rama asked how he could be so sure, Lakshmana said that he used to worship the feet of his sister-in-law every day and that he knew it was her ankle. Seeing the anklet Rama was happy and this seeing and being happy also is one of the reasons of Perumal being called Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal (Kandu – Seen, Ullam – heart, Magizhndha – Happy). As Padagam (anklet) fell here, the place came to be known as Padagacheri. Padagacheri Ramalinga Swamigal: Padagacheri village was the home of an enlightened soul Ramalinga Swamigal. Ramalinga Swamigal, a mendicant, whose mission was to renovate temples and build new ones. Padagacheri Mahan, as he is referred to, would visit every house in the village and collect money for this purpose. Endowed with healing powers, he is said to have cured people of many ailments. His name is associated with the massive annadhanam that he would organize on full moon days and during festivals. A mutt is built at the place and Annadhanam-feeding the poor – is grandly celebrated on the Aadi Pooram day in July-August being his Samadhi day. It is noteworthy that even in those days, when basic facilities were not available; he fed more than one lakh people. His Jeeva Samadhi is in Thiruvotriyur near that of Saint Pattinathar. It is said that during the feeding, many dogs would appear in human form, eat the food and disappear miraculously. This miracle happens even now. He attained salvation in the year 1949 on the Aadi Pooram day.

Beliefs

The devotee is all happy even at the darshan of Perumal here. He/she is blessed with child. Also, the devotee gets back the money lent to others and standing overdue. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Perumal and mothers and offer vastras.

Special Features

Presiding Deity is called as Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal in standing posture along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and is facing east. 3.5 feet tall Perumal is all handsome pleasing the minds of the devotees. The deity of the Vishnu temple has been housed in a thatched shed for the past 250 years. Said to delight the devotees by granting them their wishes, the deity acquired the name, Kandu Ullam Magizhndha Perumal. Some of the idols in the temple are removed from the sanctum sanctorum and are kept in a thatched hut. But miracles continue in the temple. Recently, a ray of light passed through the Tilak of Perumal thrilling all the devotees gathered in the temple. Lord Pasupatheeswarar with Mother Soundarya Nayaki graces from a separate shrine in the same temple.