Andalukkum Aiyan Temple, Adhanur, Thanjavur
Andalukkum Aiyan Temple is a Hindu
temple located in the town
of Adhanur in the Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri
Vaishnavas and comes under Chola naadu divyadesams. The lord presides in a
reclining posture on Adiseshan with Shanku Chakra and Kamadhenu and Thirumangai
azhwar near the feet. Utsavar is called Lord Ranganathar.
Sridevi, Bhoodevi Thayar, Brahma and Brigu Maharishi are
also present in the main sanctum. The Thayar has a separate Sannadhi, Moolavar
known as Kamalasini Thayar and Utsavar known as Ranganayaki Thayar. The temple
is also known as Bhargava kshetram and is located between Kaveri river and
Kollidam river. It is believed that Kamadhenu worshipped Lord Vishnu here. The
temple has two prakarams.
Legends
When Sage Brigu 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 Brigu
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.
According to legend, the Vaishnavite saint Thirumangai Alwar had exhausted all his money in the renovation of
the Ranganatha
Temple, Srirangam. When the workers who
constructed the temple demanded their wages, he was unable to pay them. Vishnu,
however, appeared to him in a dream and directed him to go to the banks of
the Kollidam River. As instructed, Thirumangai Alwar travelled to the
banks of the Kollidam and at Adhanur; he was met by a rich merchant who
provided the money to pay the workers.
Greatness of Temple
Thirumangai Azhwar exhausted all the money he had in the
renovation of Srirangam temple. He had nothing left to pay the wages for
the workers. He prayed to Lord for money. Lord, in a voice, pointed
out a spot on the banks of Kollidam and asked Azhwar to come there to collect
the money. Azhwar found a trader there wearing a turban holding a measuring
bowl (marakkal), palm and Ezhuthani. The trader told Azhwar that Lord
Ranganatha had sent him to help Azhwar and asked him his need. Thirumangai
required money from him to pay wages for the workers.
The trader said that he had no money but the Marakkal he
had would fulfill the need. He said that he would give sand measuring by
his bowl, which will turn into gold only to such workers who sincerely worked
and would remain sand itself to those insincere. Azhwar accepted the
condition. To many, it was sand only. The workers felt that the
trader was a magician and began to attack him. He began to run
away. Azhwar too chased him. The trader stopped at this
place. Azhwar asked him who he was. The trader-Lord appeared in his
true form. He taught Azhwar in writing on the palm with the Ezhuthani.
Lord Perumal appears in his reclining form with His
consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. He has his Marakal-measuring bowl- as the
pillow holding the palm and Ezhuthani in his left hand. Lord is resting
in this form after looking into the needs of his devotees, it is said.
Divine cow Kamadenu is at the feet of the Lord.
Lord Shiva once plucked one of the heads of Lord Brahmma
which simply stuck to his hands. He could not separate it from his
hand. Hence, Lord Shiva asked Agni to burn the head. Agni-Fire too
failed. Also Lord Shiva incurred the Brahmmahathi dosha. Lord Shiva
had the curse removed by worshipping Perumal here. Lord Shiva has his due
place in the sanctum near Perumal. Sage Brigu and Thirumangai Azhwar are
also in the sanctum.
According to our belief and scriptures, there are two
pillars in the Paramapada, Abode of Lord Vishnu. Jeevas would be relieved
of their sins if they embrace these pillars while going up. There are two
such pillars in this temple in the Ardhamandapam. Devotees use to
circumambulate the pillars in even numbers and worship the feet and head of
Lord to attain salvation. Those awaiting marriage also worship this way
for realizing their wish. Of the 108 Divya Desas, only Srirangam and
Adanur temples only have these pillars.
Temple Speciality
Education is an important for everyone and in India
compulsory education for a certain age period is followed for restricting
children who are avoiding in going to school. In astrology; 2, 4 and 9th
house shows one's educational status whether it is good or not. A temple
situated called Andalukkum Aiyan temple between two rivers in Adhanur in Thanjavur
district of Tamilnadu.
Lord Perumal is called as Andalukkum Aiyan and Amman is
called Bhargavi. Devotees pray to lord for good education and offer special Neivethiyam
and new clothes after fulfillment of their prayers.
This temple is situated at a distance of 8 kms from Kumbakonam.
From swami malai, this temple is located at just 3 kms.
Significance
Thirumangai Alwar had sung praises of the temple in
his Mangalasasanam. The temple is one of the 108 Divya
Desams.
The Temple
Perumal blesses the devotees in a reclining
posture. The Vimana above the sanctum is called Pranava
Vimanam. The Rajagopuram is of three tier structure. The
temple is in between Cauvery and Kollidam rivers. As Kamadenu the
divine cow (Aa in Tamil means cow) performed penance here, the place is named
Aa, Than - Its – place – Aa Than Oor – Athanur. There is a
sculpture of Lord Vishnu on the sanctum Vimana among three Boodha
Ganas. People say the idol is growing in years.
Sannadhis
·
Aandalakumaiyan Perumal
·
Ranganayaki Thayar
·
Yoga Narasimhar
·
Anjaneya
·
Santana Krishna
Pushkarani and Vimanam
The temple pond is called Surya pushkarani and the Vimaanam
is Pranava vimanam.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Festivals
10 day Brahmotsavam is celebrated in Vaikasi-May-June
Singers
Noted Vaishanavite Saint Thirumangai Azhwar had sung the
praise of the Lord in his Mangalasasanam hymns.
Prayers
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. Devotees offer vastras and special nivedhanas to
Perumal
Contact
Sri Andalukkum Aiyan Temple,
Tiru Adanur,-612 301, Papanasam Taluk,
Thanjavur district
Phone: +91- 435 - 2000
503
Connectivity
The temple is about 3 kms from Swamimalai, close to
Kumbakonam. The temple can be covered along with Thiru pullam bhoothangudi
divyadesam with Tanjore base. Buses are very rare to the place and so would be
ideal to take a private auto or hire a cab to cover the temple along with 6
more temples on the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam route. Adanur is 8 km away from
Kumbakonam. It is noteworthy that the famous Lord Muruga’s Aaru Padai Veedu
temple Swamimalai is 6 km from here.
Nearest
Railway Station: Kumbakonam
Nearest Airport: Trichy