Sri Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple (also known as the Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple) is a Hindu temple devoted to the god Vishnu in Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 2 kilometres from Kollumangudi, 40 kilometres from Kumbakonam, and 10 kilometres from Karaikal. 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 Desams devoted to Vishnu, known as Sthalasayana Perumal, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Thirumagal Nachiyar. The temple is surrounded by a stone wall that encloses all of the shrines. The temple has a four-tiered rajagopuram, which serves as the temple’s gateway tower.

Story/Legend of the Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple

Shiva commanded the sage Vyaghrapada to undergo penance at Srirangam in order to obtain a position in the god Vishnu’s abode Vaikunta. Patanjali, a sage, accompanied Vyaghrapada on his voyage. Because of his impaired vision, the sages instead travelled south, got lost, and ended up in Krupa Samudram, modern-day Tirusirupuliyur. They appealed to Vishnu to come from Srirangam and bestow moksha (divine achievement) on them. Vishnu is said to have manifested here for sage Vyasa as well.

It is claimed that Vishnu first appeared to the sages as Ranganatha, the form worshipped in the Srirangam temple, and gave them a darshan (theophany). Because of their advanced age, the sages could not clearly discern Vishnu’s large image, therefore he appeared in a lesser form known as Bala Sayanam (smaller recline), the sleeping posture of a tiny child. Due to its lesser size and the saint who worshipped in the shape of a tiger, this location is known as Siru (meaning small) and Puli yur (meaning living place). 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 Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple

Garuda and Adisesha used to be bitter enemies. The latter came here to worship the Lord in order to put an end to their feud. On Masi, full moon fortnight Ekadasi, the Lord granted the heavenly snake darshan and took him as His bed -Anantha Sayanam.

The architecture of Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple

The Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple is surrounded by a stone wall that encloses all of the shrines. The temple has a four-tiered rajagopuram, which serves as the temple’s gateway tower. Sthalasayana Perumal, the presiding deity, is a tiny picture presented in the Sayana position. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idols of Vyaghrapada and Kanvar can be found. The fourth chapter of the Brahmanda Purana contains all episodes related to this location.

Saint Tirumangai Alvar visited the temple but was dissatisfied with Vishnu’s little picture of “Balasayanam” and asked him to exhibit his giant position. Vishnu requested that the saint accompany him to Thirukkannamangai to behold his Vishvarupa.

The saint also names the ruling deity at Chirupuliyur in his Periya Tirumoli verse. In Sanskrit, the presiding deity is known as Kripasamudra Perumal. He is also known as “Saranagatha Rakshaka Perumal,” which is how the saints in Therazhundur addressed the divinity Aamaruviyappan. Ananthalwar Temple, a separate shrine for Adhiseshan, is located near the pushkarani.

Facts about Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple

• The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple (also known as the Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple) is a Hindu temple devoted to the god Vishnu in Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 2 kilometres from Kollumangudi, 40 kilometres from Kumbakonam, and 10 kilometres from Karaikal.
• This Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple is unique in that it is one of only two Divya Desams where the figure of Vishnu is represented in Sayana Kolam (sleeping posture) facing south, the other being Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple.
• It is believed that Garuda, the eagle vehicle of lord Vishnu, does not fly over this place.
• The Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the book.
• Unmarried people and childless couples can also visit this temple for salvation.
• It is believed that devotees will be relieved of Naga Dosham (affliction due to the serpent god) if they visit this temple.
• It is believed that Tirumangai Alwar was first disappointed to see a very small image of Vishnu on this site. However, later he sang ten hymns on this deity.

Famous Festivals In Krupa Samudhra 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.

How to reach Krupa Samudhra Permual Temple

Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple is located in Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, India.

By Air: The nearest airport is in Trichy, which is 138 kilometres away from the shrine.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is four kilometres away, at Peralam Railway Station. Kumbakonam is a major railway station where most of the train stops, the temple is 34 km from the station.

By Roadways: Buses go from Mayavaram to Kollumangudi. You can take automobiles or share autos to this location from Kollumangudi.

Also Read – Nanmadiya Perumal Temple