Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple or Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu and is located in Tirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Sirkai in Tamil Nadu, South India. 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.

It is one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Vishnu, known as Kudamudakoothan, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Amirtagadavalli. It is one of Tirunangur Tirupatis’ eleven Divya Desams and is intimately related to Thirumangai Alvar.

Story/Legend of the Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

According to tradition, the Hindu god Shiva began dancing in rage at this location following the death of his bride Sati as a result of the yajna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Eleven additional incarnations of Shiva appeared whenever his lock of hair hit the ground. The celestial deities were concerned that if the dance continued, entire creations might be decimated.

They appealed to Vishnu for assistance, who appeared at this location. Shiva’s rage subsided when he saw Vishnu, and he asked Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like him. Vishnu came in eleven various avatars at Tirunangur at his request. The eleven spots where Vishnu appeared are thought to be the locations of the eleven temples in Tirunangur.

Arimeya Vinnagaram simply translates to the location of Hari (another name for Vishnu). It is said that sage Uthanga performed his penance here. Another local story holds that Govardana (Vishnu) descended here at Shiva’s invitation. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

The Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE.

The architecture of Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

A three-tiered gopuram stands guard above the shrine. It is surrounded by rice fields and is situated in Tirunangur, a small village 10 kilometres from Sirkali on the way to Thiruvenkadu. The temple tank may be found to the north of the temple. Sage Uthankar is said to have worshipped the temple’s presiding deity. The figure of Krishna seated with his legs on a pot is housed in the central shrine.

Thirumangai Alvar refers to this action and the deity as “Kudamadukoothar,” which means “Oh, pot dancer.” The temple’s vimana is known as Vedamodha Vimanam. The presiding god is depicted seated and gazing east. Gopala, the festival deity, is a panchaloha picture with four arms, and his consort is Amruthakadavalli.

Facts about Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

• The Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple is located in Thirunaangur, Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu. It is around 5 miles from Seerkazhi. This location is solely known as Kudamaadu Koothar Kovil.
• As the Lord came to this place dancing with a pot-Kudam, He is praised as Kudam Aadu Koothan.
• The name also refers to the occasion in which the Lord used the Govardhana hill as an umbrella to protect the people of Gokhulam during a strong rainstorm. Chaturbuja Gopalan is the god of the procession.
• The Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• Tirumangai Azhwar portrays this area – Ariyameya Vinnagaram – in his Mangalasasanam hymn as the abode of the Lord who fought demons, extracted nectar from the milk ocean, and guided humanity on the straight path.
• As Ari (Vishnu) resides (Meviya) here, the place is called Aria Meya Vinnagaram.
• Perumal, dressed as Krishna, bestows blessings on devotees in amarndha kolam, with one leg resting on a pot of butter! Interestingly, although being venerated as Krishna, Perumal is depicted with four arms.
• The Garuda Sevai utsavam takes place in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) at the adjacent Badrinarayana Perumal temple at Nangur, where the Perumal and Garuda of each of the 11 Nangur Divya Desam temples come.

Famous Festivals In Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a significant occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• The festival’s centrepiece is Garudasevai, an event in which the festival pictures of the eleven Tirunangur Tirupathis are transported to Tirunangur on a mount shaped like a Garuda, called Garuda Vahana.
  
• During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai, the festival deity of Thirumangai Alvar is brought to the temple from Thiruvali-Thirunagari.

How to reach Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple

The Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple 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.

By Air: The closest airport is in Trichy.

By Railway: The closest railway station is in Sirkali

By Roadways: 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.

Also Read – Purushotama Perumal Temple