Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is located Thirupper Nagar, in Koviladi village which is near to 16 km from Tiruchirapalli city of Tamil Nadu state, India. It is one of the Divya Desams—the 108 temples of lord Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints or Alwars. This temple is situated on a small hillock, named Indragiri. It is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams located on the banks of the Cauvery River. The presiding deity is Appakkudathaan in a reclining posture holding an ‘appa kudam’ (pot of appams- a sweet) in one hand and the Thayar Indra Devi, also called Kamalavalli.
Legend of Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple
According to the Legend, Pandyan king Upamanyu lost all his powers due to curse of sage Durvasar as he killed a Brahmin by mistake while he was in hunting. Then the king begged the sage to relief himself from the cursed. The sage told him to feed one lakh people daily in this place. The king built a temple for lord Narayana and worshipped the lord and offered food to the people with appam. One day Lord Sriman Narayana came to Upamanyu house disguised as a poor old brahmin and asked for food. To test king’s determination the old Brahmin ate all the food prepared for the people. Realizing the strange fact the king asked to the Brahmin if he needs some more food. The Brahmin asked him for a kudam (pot) of Neyyaappam (a sweatmeal), stating that only it can fulfill his hunger. As King fulfilled the Brahmin’s desire, his cursed vanished. Because of the legend, Lord Vishnu is called “Appakkudathaan” in the temple.
Architecture of Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple
Constructed by the Dravidian architecture, the temple has a 3-tier Rajagopuram (or the main gateway tower) facing west and a prakaram (precinct) around the sanctum. The temple is built on an elevated structure and is approached through a flight of 21 steps. The presiding deity of the temple 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.
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Timings:
The temple is open 7:00 AM to 12.30 PM in the Morning and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM in the Evening.
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Pooja Timings
The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) four times every day including festival days. Four poojas are 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.
Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Festivals
The most prominent festival in this temple is the Chariot festival or Car festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April). Vaikunta Ekadasi in December-January, Navaratri in September-October, Nammazhwar Moksham during Era Pathu in Margazhi (December – February) and the butter pot breaking utsav (locally called Uri Adi) are another major festivals celebrated in the temple.
How to reach Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple
By Air
Nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli airport.
By Rail
Nearest major railway station is Tiruchirapalli which is well connected other important cities in India.
By Bus
Tiruchirapalli is well connected to other cities in south India by Bus and road. From Tiruchirapalli local bus and cabs are available to reach the temple.
