Kazheesirama Vinnagaram, also known as Tadalan Kovil or Tiruvikrama Perumal Temple, is a Vishnu temple in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu as Trivikrama and his consort Lakshmi as Loganayagi. The Cholas are thought to have erected the temple, with later contributions by Mediaeval Cholas, Vijayanagara kings, and Madurai Nayaks.

The temple is located in Sirkazhi, in a place named Thdalan Koil. All of the shrines are housed within a huge circular wall pierced by a three-tiered Rajagopuram. The temple has three primary shrines, the most famous of which are those of Trivikrama in the sanctum and two other shrines of Loganyagi and Andal. Chakra Tirtham, the temple tank, is located behind the temple grounds.

Story/Legend of the Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram Temple is referred to as Patalika Vanam and Uttama Kshetram in the Brahmanda Purana. According to Hindu mythology, Brahma boasted about his long life. Romas, a sage, wanted to inhibit Brahma’s thinking and performed rigorous penance at this location. Vishnu was gratified by his devotion and came in front of him. Vishnu reappeared as Trivikrama at the request of the sage. He granted the sage a boon that he would live longer than Brahma and blessed that for each falling hair of the sage, Brahma would lose one year.

According to the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu descended in the Vamana avatar to restore Indra’s authority over the sky, which had been usurped by Mahabali, a beneficent asura King. Prahlada’s grandson was Bali. King Mahabali was generous, participated in great austerities and penance, and garnered the world’s admiration. With the acclaim of his courtiers and others, he considered himself to be the world’s all-powerful ruler. Vamana went before the king disguised as a short Brahmin holding a wooden umbrella, requesting three paces of land.

Despite the warnings of his mentor, Sukracharya, Mahabali agreed. Vamana then exposed his true identity and grew to huge sizes to stroll across the three planets. He took the first step from heaven to earth and the second from earth to the netherworld. King Mahabali, unable to keep his pledge, offered his head in exchange for the third. Vamana then placed His Foot on the king and granted him immortality for his humility. He resigned rule over Pátála, the netherworld, by worshipping Mahabali and his ancestor Prahláda.

According to certain accounts, Vamana did not enter the netherworld and instead entrusted its dominion to Bali. Vamana is known as Trivikrama in its enormous form. The tradition is linked to the Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala, as well as the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Tirukoyilur and the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. 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 Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

Vamana, a dwarf and one of Vishnu’s ten avatars, emerged here to subdue the asura king Bali’s pride. King Mahabali and the Alvars are said to have seen Trivikrama. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE.

The architecture of Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple is in the Mayiladuthurai district’s holy town of Sirkazhi. Saiva Kuravar Sambandar inspired Thirumangai Alvar to glorify the Almighty through Pasurams. The God in the temple is referred to as Mann alantha Tadalan, which translates as “the one who measured the land.” Tadalan is named after Tiruvikrama (Vamana), the form of the mulavar (primary deity) installed in the central temple. Tiruvikrama, the ruling god, arrived for sage Ashtakoma.

The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple is rectangular, having tall brick walls on all four sides. The temple tower, known as the Rajagopuram, is three-tiered. A flagpost, altar, raised hall, and two more halls, the Mahamandpa and the Ardhamandapa, lead to the sanctuary from the gateway tower. The sanctum contains a standing stone image of Trivikrama as well as other metal images. Lokanayagi’s shrine is located in a shrine around the first sanctum in the northwestern corner beyond the sanctum, and Andal’s shrine is on the opposite corner. Chakra Tirtham, the temple tank, is located behind the temple.

Facts about Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

• The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple is found in Sirkazhi, and situated in a location called Thdalan Koil.
• Thalalan (or Thadalan; thal=foot, aal=ruling) is another name for the Lord here. According to one account, when the temple was not being properly maintained, an old lady kept Thalalan’s idol in a pot of husk.
• The old name of the place is Kazhi Seerama Vinnagaram, indicating this is a Vinnagaram (Vaikuntam) of Rama.
• The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• There is a separate shrine in this temple for Kodandaramar. Siddhashramam is also said to be Vamana’s ashram.
•  In the past, has had various names, including Patalika Vanam, Uttama Kshetram and Chola Simhapuram.
• This place is believed to be where sage Vishvamitra conducted his Yagna and came to be known as Sidhasrama.
• The place was in ruins during a time and an old lady is believed to have placed the idol in a pot of rice.
• When Thirumangai Alvar arrived, the lady gave over the idol to him, and Thirumangai is credited with building the temple.
• It is also the place where Thirumangai Alvar after coming back from North India defeated Thirugnana Sambandar in a debate

Famous Festivals In Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

• 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.

How to reach Kazheesirama Vinnagaram

The Kazheesirama Vinnagaram is located in Sirkazhi and is situated in a location called Thdalan Koil.

By Air: The nearest airport is Trichy, which is about 145 kilometres from the temple.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai, about 23 kilometres from the temple, and it is well connected with other places.

By Roadways: Both government and private buses, and also autos, cars, and taxis provide good road connectivity from Mayiladuthurai and places nearby.

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