Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple, Thirupper Nagar, Thanjavur

Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple, Thirupper Nagar, Thanjavur

Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple or Thirupper Nagar is a Hindu temple located in Koviladi, a village 10 miles (16 km) from Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu, India. It is dedicated to Vishnu and is one of the Divya Desams—the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints or Alwars. This temple is located along the banks of the Kollidam River and is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams located on the banks of the Cauvery River.

The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity, with contributions at different times from the Medieval Cholas. The temple is built on an elevated structure and is approached through a flight of 21 steps. The Rajagopuram (the main gateway) has three tiers and the temple has a precinct around the sanctum.

Ranganatha is believed to have appeared for king Upmananya and sage Parasara. The temple has four daily rituals; the first begins at 8:30 a.m. and the last at 8 p.m. There are four annual festivals on the temple's calendar; its chariot festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April) is the most prominent of these. The temple is one among the Divya Desas of Lord Perumal and also one of the five Pancharanga Sthalas.

It is situated in Tamil Nadu. Three miles away from Tiru Anbil - Kollidam and along the south shore of Kollidam. This sthalam is on the way to Kumbakonam - Tiruvaiyaru - Tirukkaattuppalli and Kallanai. Persons who are going to this sthalam should ask for "Koviladi" to visit this sthalam. When going in bus this sthalam is 15 Kms away from Laalkudi - Boothaloor Railway station. No lodging facility. By travelling 15 miles from Tanjore, we can reach this Sthalam.

The temple is situated in a tiny village of Koviladi on the banks of river Kaveri. The Moolavar, in a reclining pose is known as Appa Kudathan and here we find Markandeya muni near the Lord.  This temple is considered to be older than Srirangam temple.  There is a huge silver pot, the appa kudam (A sweet made of rice) near the Lord's right hand and it is believed to be full of Appam as this Lord is fond of the same. 

The Utsavar here is known as Azhagiya Manavalan, Namperumal and Appala Rangan. He is flanked by Bhoodevi and Sree Devi Thayar. There is also a Santhana Gopala here and the belief is that a childless couple would be blessed with progeny if they offer their worship to the Lord here.

This temple is located on the northern side of River Cauvery and 10 kms from Lalgudi and 20kms from Trichy. There is another Divya Desam of Lord Vishnu Thiru Anbil Sri Vadivazhagiya Perumal Temple also can be visited which is just 3kms away from here.

Legends & Etymology

According to the sthala Puranam, one of the the Pandiya Kings Uparisaravasar while hunting a rogue elephant by mistake killed a Brahmin who was performing tapas on the banks of the river and got affected with Brahmmahathi Dhosham (A Sin of Killing a Brahmin). Repenting for his act, the king renounced his throne and wandered around, finally reaching Thirupper Nagar. One day Lord Siva appeared before the king and asked him to worship Lord Vishnu here in this Kshetram to get rid of his Brahmahatthi Dhosham. There upon the king built a temple for Lord Vishnu and each day after worship offered food together with Appam and Payasam to the Brahmins. One fine day almighty came to king’s place disguised as a Brahmin and told the king that he is hungry.

The king was surprised but he requested the Brahmin to wait till the other Brahmins also assembled. But the old Brahmin man conveyed to the king that he is too hungry and cannot wait further. There upon, the king agreed to serve him the food. But to the big surprise of the king, the Brahmin ate all the food, and wanted some more. The king requested him to take rest and went in to make some more. At that time Markandeya Rishi, who was informed by Siva to seek refuge in Lord Vishnu for longevity of life, was directed to the King’s place to worship Lord Maha Vishnu taking rest as an old Brahmin man.

Accordingly Markandeya Maharishi went to the king’s house where he saw the old Brahmin lying on the couch holding an appak kudam in one hand. Markandeyar approached the Brahmin and bowed 100 times. Lord Vishnu regaining his original form lifted his hand from the appa kudam and blessed Markandeyar with longevity of life. He also blessed the king to get rid of his brahmahatthi Dhosham. Devotees can worship Moolavar in his Reclining Posture holding Appakkudam. Since Markandeya got his longevity of life the temple tank is known as Mruthyu Vinasini Theertham. This is the Only Divyadesam where Appam is being offered as Naivedyam.

The central deity is Ranganatha, who is believed to have crushed Indira's (a celestial deity) pride. The place is called "Koviladi" because it is located downstream of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, which is referred as Kovil in Vaishnava tradition.

The temple is called as "Tiruppernagar" because the region was called "Per Nagar" during Chola times. The azhwars refer the place as "Tiruppernagar" in Nalayira Divya Prabandam, a Vaishnava canon.

Nammazhwar attained Moksham in Koviladi - Nammazhwar hymned his last Paasurams about Appala Rangan before attaining Moksham. Koviladi Appakudathaan Ranganathar Temple is one of the 7 temples referred by Thirumazhisai Azhvaar of Lord Vishnu in Reclining Posture - Anantha Sayanam.

The remaining temples are;

·        Srirangam Aranganathar

·        Thiru Kudanthai Sarangapani

·        Thiru Anbil Vadivazhagiya Nambi

·        Thiruvallur Bhakthavatsalan

·        Thiru Vekka Yathothkari 

·        Thiru Paarkadal Ksheerapthinathan

Utsavar is also being worshipped in the same name as Appala Rangan. Thayar is being worshipped as Indhra Devi and Kamalavalli. Koviladi is sung by Periyazhwar with 33 Pasurams, Thirumangai Azhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Nammazhwar, who attained moksham here and his last pasurams were about Koviladi Appakkudathaan.

The Temple

The temple has inscriptions from the 18th year of the reign of Aditya Chola. The recorded inscriptions in this temple are numbered 283, 300, 301 and 303 of 1901. As per Nammazhwar, the temple was home to the Vedic scholars of the time. The inscriptions in the temple indicate donations given towards the building of the main hall. Koviladi was one of the focal points of fighting in the regions surrounding Tiruchirapalli during the Anglo-French war; there are no records on the contributions or damages caused by this war.

The temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram facing west and an elevated structure approached through 21 steps. The Moolavar (presiding deity) of the temple, "Appala Rangan", is seen in Bhujangasayanm (a reclining posture) facing west and is surrounded by Bhooma Devi and Kamala Valli Thaayar. The central deity is depicted in a reclining posture called pujanga Sayanam, and he is shown holding the holy pot in his right hand. The sanctum also contains the image of Upayamanyu and Dhurvarsa. The central deity is called Appala Ranganathar; he is located away from the Ranganathar in Srirangam. The temple has a prakaram (precinct) around the sanctum.

The Vimana above the sanctum is of Indira Vimana design.  Lord Vazhikatti Vinanayaka (Guiding Vinayaka) graces the place. The Utsava Vigraham has a balakrishnan and people pray here for begetting children. Appam is prepared as a daily offering to the deity here.

There is a separate shrine for Kamalavalli Thaayar. The Thayar is in an east facing sanctum which is in the first praharam itself. There are also shrines for Ganesha, Nammazhwar, Ramanujar, Lakshmi Narayana and Venugopalan. .

It is believed that Nammazhwar recited the last of his paasurams here before departing the mortal world.

Tirumazhisai Alwar refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position -   Anbil, Thirukkudanthai, Thiruvekka, Thiruvallur, Tiruvarangam, Tiruppernagar and Tirupaarkadal - in a Paasuram.

Mangalasasanam:

·        Periyalwar - 2 Paasurams

·        Thirumangai Alwar - 19 Paasurams

·        Thirumizhisai Alwar - 1 Paasuram.

·        Nammaalvar - 11 Paasurams

Presiding Deity – Sri Appakudathaan/Sri Appala Ranganathar with his consort Goddess Indra Devi/Kamalavalli Thayar

Pushkarani – Indra Pushkarani/ Kollidam     

Vimanam – Indra Vimanam

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam

Festivals & Religious Practises

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) every day, including festivals. Like other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m.

Each ritual comprises three steps; Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deity. The worship involves religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals.

The major festivals celebrated in the temple are 13 - day Panguni Brahmotsavam, Kaisika Dwadasi in Karthigai (November - December), Teertha Vari at the River Cauvery on the day of Maasi Magam (February - March) & Nammazhwar Moksham during Era Pathu in Margazhi (December - February). The chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple and the surrounding villages.

It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (April–May); devotees pull a chariot round the streets of Koviladi. Verses from the Nalayira Divya Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests and music made with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) is played. Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated during December – January, Navarathri during September–October and butter pot breaking ceremony (locally called uri adi) are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.

Religious significance

Pancharanga Kshetrams (Also called Pancharangams, meaning the "five Rangams or Ranganathas") is a group of five Hindu temples on the banks of the Kaveri River dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of Vishnu. The five Pancharanga Kshetrams are: The Srirangapatnam called the Adi Ranga, the first temple on the banks of the Kaveri River from the upstream side; the Srirangam (island in Tiruchirappalli) in Tamil Nadu known as Adya Ranga (the last temple), Appalarangam or Koviladi at Tiurppernagar in Tamilnadu, Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple or Mayuram at Indalur, Mayiladuthurai & Vatarangam  at Sirkazhi. Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam is mentioned in place of Vatarangam in some references. This is the only Divya Desam where Neyyaappam is offered to the Lord every night as neivedhyam. There is a belief that childless couples upon praying and offering butter with sugar to the Santhanagopalan deity at the temple are blessed with children.

The Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple is revered in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon of 33 verses by Periyalvar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Nammazhwar. The temple is classified as a divyadesam; the 108 Vishnu temples that are revered in the Vaishnava canon. The temple is counted as the sixth in line of divyadesams located in Chola Nadu. The temple is also mentioned in the Sanskrit work Srirangaraja Sarithapanam. The temple is also the Mukthi Stalam; the place where saint Periyalvar is believed to have attained the feet of Vishnu.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. and 8.00 p.m

Singers

The Lord of the temple is praised in the Mangalasasanam hymns of Saints Periazhwar, Tirumazhisai Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar

Thirumangai Azhvaar could not forget Appala Rangan:

Thirumangai Azhvaar was so enticed by this Lord that he says he could not forget Lord Appakudathaan even when he went to Tiruvellarai (another Divya Desam on the other side of Coleroon).

“துலக்கம் இல் சுடரை அவுணன் உடல் பிளக்கும் மைந்தனை பேரில் வணங்கிபோய் அளப்பு இல் ஆர் அமுதை  அமரர்க்கு அருள் விளக்கினை சென்று வெள்ளரயில் காண்டுமே”

Nammazhwar and Koviladi Rangan:

Nammazhwar sang the last of his Paasurams about Appala Rangan before attaining Moksham.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar and his reference to 7 temples:

Appakudathaan Ranganathar is one of the 7 temples referred by Thirumazhisai Azhvaar of Lord Vishnu in reclining Posture - others being Srirangam, Thiru Kudanthai (Kumbakonam), Anbil (Vadivazhagiya Nambi), Thiru Vallur, Thiruvekka and Thiru Paarkadal.

Festivals

Car festival on Panguni Uthiram star day Theerthavari in March-April; Vaikunta Ekadasi in December-January; Navarathri in September-October and the butter pot breaking Utsav-Uri Adi- are the festivals celebrated in the temple

Festivals – Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam is one of the famous festivals here.  The 10 day long festival also includes Kalyana Mahotsavam on seventh day and car festival on the 10th day on Uthiram day celebrated widely.  Pakal Pathu and Rapathu Utsavam, Vaikunda Ekadashi, Mohini Alankaram and procession of Lord on the day before Vaikunda Ekadashi.

Prayers

Those seeking child boons, freedom from fear of death, to develop qualities of humility, for relief from adverse planetary aspects, sins and curses, facing endless problems, pray to Perumal for solutions. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Perumal and offer vastras

Contact

Sri Appakudathaan Temple,

Koviladi (Thirupper)-613 105,

Thanjavur district

Phone: +91- 4362 - 281 488, 281 460, 281 304

Mobile: 99524 68956

Connectivity

Kallanai is 25 km from Tiruchi. Buses to Tirukattupalli from Kallanai pass through Koviladi.

To reach Koviladi, one can take Tiruchi- Kallanai- Tirukkaattuppalli route. It's located 25 Kms east of Trichy. Buses ply from Tiruchi central and Chathiram bus stand with a frequency of 1/2 hr. Cabs charge around Rs. 400 for the up and down trip from Trichy to Koviladi.

From Trichy take the road to Kallanai. On the Trichy Chennai bypass there is a prominent board that leads to Kallanai. The road is excellent. It is 9 kms to Kallanai and about 5 kms further you will reach Tiruppernagar / Koviladi village where the temple is situated. 

You can also reach the temple from Lalgudi and Anbil side. But the road was horrible.

The temple is about 25 kms away from Thiruvaiyaru towards Trichy after you cross Tirukattupalli from Tanjore side.

Nearest Railway Station: Trichy.

Nearest Airport: Trichy.