Moolavar : Kudamadu Koothan
Urchavar : Chaturpuja Gopalan
Amman / Thayar : Amirthavalli
Thala Virutcham : Palasamaram
Theertham : Amirtha Theertham
Agamam / Pooja : Pancharatra
Old year : 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name : Ariameya Vinnagaram
City : Tirunangoor
District : Nagapattinam
State : Tamil Nadu
Singers:
The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirumangai Azhwar in his Mangalasasanam hymn. His songs are long in meters, pregnant with devotion praising His deeds from very childhood in destroying demons and the pleasant serene environments where His temples are situated. His songs constitute all richness of the Tamil language.
Festival:
Vaikasi Visakam in May-June and Thai month Garuda Seva in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Temple’s Speciality:
This is one among the 108 Divya Desas of Perumal.
Opening Time:
The temple is open from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Address:
Sri Kudamadu Koothan Temple, Ariameya Vinnagaram, Tirunangoor-609 106. Nagapattinam district.\
General Information:
Lord blesses his devotees in a sitting form. The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is called Ucharoorunga Vimanam. There are shrines for Azhwars, Lord Sri Rama-Sita in the prakara-corridor.
Greatness Of Temple:
Lord appears in the sanctum sanctorum in a sitting form with one leg placed on a butter pot. This darshan, according to belief, brings all happiness to devotees. As Lord came to this place dancing with a pot-Kudam, He is praised as Kudam Aadu Koothan. The name also refers to the event of Lord holding the Govardhana hill as an umbrella to protect the people of Gokhulam when the place faced a heavy rainfall. Procession deity is Chaturbuja Gopalan.
Tirumangai Azhwar in his Mangalasasanam hymn describes this place – Ariyameya Vinnagaram – as the abode of Lord who destroyed demons, extracted nectar from the milk ocean and guiding people on the righteous path. This is one of the 11 Divya Desas in Tirunangoor region. The Garuda Seva in April-May is a very famous festival. As Ari (Vishnu) resides (Meviya) here, the place is called Aria Meya Vinnagaram. There is no flag post in the temple. The peeta is too tall that the devotee has to use the steps, indicating that in the Bhakti (devotion) path one has to climb many steps to reach God.
Temple History:
Sage Udhangar was the disciple of Sage Vaidhar and learnt the Vedas from him. After the Gurukula, he wanted to offer Guru dakshina. Wife of Guru demanded Udhangar to get the ear rings of the queen of the land. Udhangar went to the queen and begged for her ear rings. As she knew the greatness of Guru Vaidhar, she gladly gave her ear rings to the disciple. Udhangar was returning to Gurukula. He was too hungry and thirsty. He saw a shepherd with his cows and a pot on his head. Udhangar asked the shepherd to give the contents of the pot to quench his thirst and anger.
The shepherd said that there was nothing but cow dung and its urine which even his Guru once consumed. As Guru himself had eaten it, Udhangar leaving his Kamandalam – a hand bowl which sages carry – with the ear rings and began drinking the content of the pot. One Dakshan coming in the way snatched the Kamandalam and ran away. Udhangar chased him but the robber hid in a hole there. Udhangar sought the help of the shepherd to recover the ear rings from Dakshan. He showed a horse-man coming on the way and advised to seek his help. The horse-man came near the hole and made his horse spit fire. Unable to bear the heat, the robber came out and returned the ear rings to the sage. Udhangar thanked the shepherd and the horseman and reached Gurukulam.
He narrated his experience to Guru Vaidhar. Guru understood with his wisdom eye – Gnana Dhrusti. He told the disciple that it was test to his Guru bhakti. The shepherd was Vishnu and the horseman was Indira on Agni the fire. Guru also said that the contents of the pot was but nectar which helped him to bear the heat..
Udhangar begged the Lord to grant him His darshan. Lord Vishnu with His pot granted the darshan as Kudamadu Koothan.
Location :
The place is 8 km far from Sirkali. Buses are available only at specific hours. The visitor may reach Sirkali-Annankoil. The temple is 2 km from here.
Near By Railway Station :
Sirkali
Near By Airport :
Tiruchi
