Tirusirupuli Sri Arulmakadal (Sthalasayana) Perumal Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Tirusirupuli Sri Arulmakadal (Sthalasayana) Perumal Temple, Thiruvarur district

Deity

Sthalasayana Perumal (Vishnu) Amman: Thirumaamagal Naachiyar (Lakshmi)

Introduction

• Location: The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, also known as Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple, is located near Kollumangudi in Tamil Nadu, India.
• Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal, and his consort, Lakshmi, who is revered as Thirumagal Nachiyar.
• Significance:
  • It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu glorified by the Azhwar saints in the Divya Prabandha (a Tamil canon).
  • The temple features a granite wall surrounding all the shrines, with a four-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower).
  • Sthalasayana Perumal is believed to have appeared to Sage Vyaghrapada at this location.
  • The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Puranic Significance

• The Enmity Between Garuda and Adisesha:
  • According to the Puranas, there was once a bitter enmity between Garuda (the mount of Vishnu) and Adisesha (the divine serpent).
  • Adisesha came to the temple and worshipped Lord Vishnu to end this enmity.
  • On the Masi full moon Ekadasi, Lord Vishnu granted darshan to Adisesha and took him as His bed, known as Anantha Sayanam (the reclining form of Vishnu).

Beliefs

• Devotees’ Prayers:
  • The majority of devotees visit this temple seeking boons for children and blessings for marital stability, especially concerning Mangalya (the longevity of their husbands).
  • Devotees facing adverse planetary influences, prolonged illness, or mental disturbances are believed to find relief by praying to Sthalasayana Perumal.
  • It is the strong belief of devotees that sincere prayers at this temple will bring them the relief they seek.

Special Features

• Unique Aspects of the Temple:
  • Among the 108 Divya Desams, only Sri Rangam and Tiruchirupuliyur (this temple) are temples facing south.
  • In Sri Rangam, Lord Perumal appears in a reclining full-long form, while in this temple, He appears as a little boy (Balaka).
  • Sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali, both devoted to Lord Nataraja (Shiva), are present in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, alongside Sthalasayana Perumal.
  • Sage Vyaghrapada is believed to have prayed for salvation to Lord Nataraja, who instructed him to worship Lord Vishnu at this temple. Perumal granted him salvation and a place in His sanctum.
  • It is significant that Sage Patanjali (another devotee of Lord Shiva) and Sage Vyaghrapada are both present with Lord Vishnu in the sanctum.
  • A separate temple is dedicated to Adisesha here.
  • The name Tiruchirupuliyur derives from the fact that Vyaghrapada worshipped Lord Vishnu in the form of a little boy.

Festivals

• Brahmotsavam Festival (May–June) – The most prominent festival, celebrated annually during the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
• Masi Shukla Ekadasi (February–March)
• Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi (December–January)
• Rama Navami (March–April)
• Krishna Jayanthi (August–September)

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruchirupuliyur

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvarur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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