Thirupper Nagar Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple- Thanjavur

Address

Thirupper Nagar Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple, Budalur taluk, Tanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613105 , Phone: 099524 68956

Deity

Appakkudanthaan Perumal (Vishnu) Amman: Indira Devi

Introduction

The Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple, also known as Thirupper Nagar, is a prominent Vishnu temple located in Koviladi, a village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams—sacred temples dedicated to Vishnu that are revered in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints. This temple is significant both for its historical importance and for its association with various legends in Hindu tradition.

Architectural and Structural Features

The temple is located on the banks of the Cauvery River and is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams situated along the river.
The temple is constructed on an elevated structure and is accessed by climbing 21 steps.
It has a three-tiered Rajagopuram (main gateway) and a sanctum precinct that houses the presiding deity.

Sacred Tree and Theertham

Thala Virutcham (Sacred Tree): The Purasa tree is considered sacred in this temple.
Theertham (Sacred Water): The temple has the Indira Pushkarini as its holy water body, which holds special significance for devotees.

Puranic Significance and Legends

The temple is associated with several important Hindu legends:

King Ubhamanyu’s Curse and Vishnu’s Blessing:
- King Ubhamanyu incurred the wrath of sage Durvasa, leading to a curse that sapped his physical strength. He was instructed to feed one lakh people daily to lift the curse. Vishnu appeared disguised as an old man and consumed all the food, leaving the king bewildered.
- The old man asked for a kudam (pot) of Neyyappam, a sweet dish, which was the only thing that could satiate his hunger. Upon fulfilling this request, the king realized that it was Vishnu who had appeared, and he was relieved of the curse. This incident led to Vishnu being referred to as Appakkudathaan (the one who gave the pot of Neyyappam).
Sage Markandeya’s Liberation:
- It is believed that sage Markandeya, who was cursed by Yama (the god of death) to die at 16, was liberated from this curse in this temple by the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
The Name of the Place:
- The temple is located in Koviladi, which means “downstream of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple” in Vaishnava tradition. The name Tiruppernagar (the “great town”) refers to the region during the Chola period, as mentioned by the Azhwars in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Beliefs and Practices

This is the only Divya Desam where Neyyappam is offered as neivedhyam (food offering) to the deity every night.
There is a belief that childless couples who pray at the temple and offer butter with sugar to the deity of Santhanagopalan (the child-giving form of Vishnu) will be blessed with children.

Special Features

The presiding deity of the temple is Appala Ranganathar, depicted in a reclining posture known as Bhujangasayanam, facing west.
The sanctum also houses images of Upayamanyu and Dhurvarsa.
The temple is distinct because the deity here, Appala Ranganathar, is located separately from the famous Ranganathar in Srirangam, despite their shared association.

Festivals

The temple celebrates several important festivals:

Panguni Brahmotsavam: A grand 13-day festival held in the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April), with elaborate rituals and processions.
Kaisika Dwadasi: Celebrated in the month of Karthigai (November–December), this festival commemorates the Kaisika text of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Teertha Vari: Celebrated during the Maasi Magam festival (February–March) when devotees take a holy dip in the Cauvery River.
Nammazhwar Moksham: Occurs during the Era Pathu period in Margazhi (December–January).
Chariot Festival: One of the most significant festivals, it features a grand procession with devotees pulling a chariot around the streets of Koviladi during Panguni (April–May).
Other celebrations include Vaikunta Ekadashi, Navarathri, and various local festivals.