Location:
Uraiyur
near Tiruchirappalli
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Azhagiya
Manavaalan
Taayaar: Kamalavalli
(Vaasalakshmi)
Theertham: Kalyaana Theertham
Paasuram : Tirumangaialwar, Kulasekharaalwar
Vimaanam: Kalyana Vimaanam
Travel Base: Tiruchirappalli
Description: This Divya Desam
is situated in Uraiyur, the ancient Chola capital, now a part of Tiruchirappalli;
the Shivastalam enshrining Panchavarneswarar is also located
in Uraiyur. Tirukkozhi is the birthplace Tiruppaanalwar the author of Amalanadipiran
(the celebrated paasuram describing the glory of the image of Ranganathar,
at Srirangam).
Deities:
Azhagiya Manavalar (in a standing posture) facing north, with his consort
Kamalavalli in the same sanctum in a seated posture are the presiding
deities here. There is no festival image for Perumaal here. The festival
image of Ranganathar is brought in procession from Srirangam to commemorate
his marriage with Senkamalavalli.
Legends:
A valiant rooster, believed to have warded off an elephant with it's beak,
here at Uraiyur; the name Tirukkozhi (Mookkeeswaram) possibly stems from
this legend. Kamalavalli Naachiyaar, daughter of the local Chola King
is said to have meditated upon Vishnu, and married him here after which
the Chola King built this temple, with its door facing North towards Srirangam.
The temple:
Upon entering the temple, one encounters a large mandapam with pillars
ornamented with exquisite sculptures. There are several mandapams in the
temple prakaram, with shrines to the Alwars and the Acharyas. There is
a shrine to Tiruppaanalwar north of the temple tank
Festivals: In the month of Pankuni, the image of Ranganathar
from Srirangam is brought in procession to this temple
and a grand Kalyana Utsavam is celebrated on the day preceding Pankuni
Uthiram. Shown above, is the festival image of NamPerumaal of
Srirangam. The Tiruppanalwar festival is held in the month of
Kartikai.
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