Thiru Aadanoor Sri Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thiru Aadanoor Sri Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple, Adhanur Pullabhoothangudi Via, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur District- Pin. 612 301

Diety

Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal(Vishnu) Amman: Ranganayaki(Lakshmi)

Introduction

Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Aadanoor, Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is counted as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Vishnu is worshiped as Andalakkum Aiyan and his consort is worshiped as Bhargavi. The temple has a small shrine with Vimanam and 3-tier rajagopuram. The temple was built by Aditya Chola. The temple is located in Olaipadi, a small village, 7 km away from Kumbakonam and 2 km from Swamimalai. The temple tank is located north of the temple. The deities are similar to the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple of Srirangam with the chief deity Vishnu in a reclining, half-sleeping posture. Thala Virutcham : Punnai, Patali Theertham : Chandra Theertham Agamam / Pooja : Pancharatra

Puranic Significance

When Sage Brugu worshipped Perumal in the Milk Ocean, Mother Mahalakshmi presented the sage with a garland. The sage gave it to Indira who in turn placed it on the head of his elephant. The animal drew the garland and crushed it under its foot. Boiling in anger, the sage cursed Indira to be born a human on earth. Indira fell down to earth and rushed to Lord seeking relief. Mother Mahalakshmi assured Indira that she would be born the daughter of Sage Bruhu and he would be relieved of the curse when She weds Perumal then. Indira waited for the time. When the divine wedding took place, he got the relief. Lord Perumal granted darshan to him in His celebrated reclining posture

Beliefs

It is believed that worshipping Perumal in the temple would bring in prosperity in the family and bless the devotee with excellence in educational pursuits

Special Features

The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram, the temple tower and all the shrines are enclosed by rectangular enclosure. The sanctum is located axial to the gopuram and is approached through sacrificial altar and temple mast. There are sculptures of Kamadhenu, the divine cow and her daughter Nandini. The temple is believed to be similar to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple in all its form having seven enclosures, but were destroyed with time. The vimana, the shrine over the sanctum is called Pranava Vimana, where image of Vishnu is visible up to knee. As per the legend in Srirangam temple, it is believed that the world will get destroyed when the feet of the image emerges. Hanuman, the monkey god, visited the temple on his way to Sri Lanka. Rama is believed to have visited the place hearing about Hanuman’s visit and the foot marks are sculpted to indicate the legend. The image of Hanuman in the place is known as Virasudarshana Anjaneya

Festivals

10 day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi 3 day Pavitrotsavam in Avani Thiru Aadi Pooram- Andal Perumal Procession Aadi and Thai Friday- Ranganayaki Thaayar procession