Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple (also called Thirukozhi or Nachiyar Koil) is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Vishnu and it is located in Uraiyur, a suburb Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu state. It is one of the Divya Desams in the 108 temples of lord Vishnu visited by the Alvar saints. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Azhagiya Manavalan and his consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli.
Legend
Chola king Nanda Chola worshipped Lord Vishnu for child boon. Pleased by his prayer Lord send his consort, Goddess Lakshmi to born as king’s child. The king found a baby in a 1000 petal Lotus tank while returning from hunting. The king took the child and given name Kamalvalli as she was born out of Lotus. When she was in marriage age, she saw Lord Ranganathar (form of lord Vishnu) and determined to marry him. The king willingly got her married to Ranganathar who appeared here as the groom. Since Lord Vishnu appeared as Azhagiya Manavalan, meaning a beautiful groom, the temple built here is called Azhagiya Manavalan Temple.
History
It is believed that the temple was built by the Medieval Cholas in late 8th century AD. The temple also received some contribution of the Pandyas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks.
Architecture
The temple five-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower) is called Kamala Vimanam. The central shrine has the image of Azhagiya Perumal (lord Vishnu) in sitting posture. The shrine of the goddess Kamalvalli Nachiyar faces North. There are separate shrines for Ramanuja and Nammalvar. There are paintings on the inner walls of the shrine of the Alvar saint Nammalvar.
Temple timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Pooja timings
The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Azhagiya Manavalan and Kamalavalli.
Festivals
Serthi Sevai, the annual home coming festival is celebrated in the temple annually during the Ayilyam star in the Tamil month of Panguni. The other major festivals celebrated in the temple are Dolostava, Vasanthothsava (spring festival), Navaratri in September-October and Karthikai Tirupanazhwar festival in November-December.
How to reach
By Air
Nearest airport Tiruchirappalli International Airport is about 11 km away.
By Rail
Nearest railway station Tiruchirappalli connects many other important cities and towns of South India such as Chennai, Thanjavur, Madurai and Chidambaram.
By Bus
Tiruchirappalli is well connected by bus services to other cities of south India. From Tiruchirappalli bus stand hire an auto or taxi to reach the temple.
 is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and located in Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.){kind=link}
