Sundara Raja Perumal Temple, Azhagiya Manavalam,
Trichy
Sundara Raja Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Azhagiya Manavalam Village in Trichy
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundara Raja
Perumal and the Lord is seen in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
History
The
story of the Sundara Raja Perumal Koil in Azhagiya Manavalam Village dates to
the 14th Century AD to the time when Mohammed Bin Tughlaq invaded the Srirangam
temple and the threat to the idols of Lord Ranganatha loomed large. Foreseeing
this, the Utsava deity (now called Nam Perumal) was taken out of Srirangam as a
precautionary measure and was taken around to different places like Azhagar
Hills, Azhvaar Thirunagari in Tamil Nadu, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and
Melkote in Karnataka.
While
the battle was going on with the Sultanate kings, Azhagiya Manavalan and his
consorts resided here at the Sundara Raja Perumal temple in Azhagiya Manavalam
village. A smart lady in Azhagiya Manavalam village used her guile and
protected the idol of the Utsava deity of Lord Ranganatha and helped the forces
outwit the Madurai Sultanate. It was in 1371 AD that Azhagiya Manavalan and his
consort left this temple to reside back at Srirangam.
Namperumal:
It was
that year that a delighted Launderer on seeing Utsava deity of Lord Ranganatha
at the Azhagiya Manavalam village called out for the Srirangam Lord as ‘Nam
Perumal’ (Our Lord). Ever since, the Utsava deity of Lord Ranganatha at
Srirangam has come to be known as Namperumal. Since Namperumal resided here
before making his trip back to Srirangam, the villagers dedicated the special
harvest from the Azhagiya Manavalam village to Namperumal of Srirangam. Every year
in the Tamil Calendar month of Chitrai, the harvest is brought from Azhagiya
Manavalam Village to the Srirangam temple and handed over to Namperumal. This
event is called ‘Kathir Alankaram’.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Sundara Raja Perumal and is facing west. Lord is seen in a
grand standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. One can view the three well
known temples of Trichy from inside the Sundara Raja Perumal temple – Srirangam
Ranganatha Temple, Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval and Uchi Pillayar
atop the rock.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 7.00 am – 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm.
Contact
Sundara Raja Perumal Temple,
Azhagiya Manavalam, Trichy
District
Phone: +91 431 6590591
Mobile: +91 88834 14337
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Manachanallur, 12 Kms from Srirangam, 13
Kms from Thiruvanaikoil, 6 Kms from Thiruppainjeeli, 8 Kms from Thiruvellarai, 9
Kms from Pichandarkovil, 10 Kms from Samayapuram, 26 Kms from Thiruverumbur and
20 Kms from Trichy. To reach this place, Best option is to take the Thuraiyur
bound Mofussil bus at Toll Gate. Get down at Manachanallur (about 6kms from
Toll Gate). There are mini buses available from Manachanallur to the temple. No
autos available here. Nearest Railway Stations are located at Uthamarkovil (9
Kms) and Trichy (23 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at Trichy (25 Kms).
