Shravanmaas (Tamil: Purattasi) is a festival season for devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is said that, Lord Vishnu will shower his grace and benevolence to devotees offering obeisance during Shravanmaas. It is a customary practice among devotees to take up SpiRitual Journeys to various Teertha Kshetras and temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Pureprayer is presenting some of the interesting Vishnu temples as travel destinations for Shravanmaas. Please visit our website www.pureprayer.com or call us on 9108630444, WA No: 9900821000 to learn more about Darshan-Puja packages to several holy and sacred destinations and many other religious services.

Where is Ulagalandha Perumal Temple?

Ulagalandha Perumal or Sri Trivikraman Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located about an hour’s drive from Villupuram (48 km) and about 82 km from Puducherry and about 200 km from the capital city Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

What is the importance of Ulagalandha Perumal Temple?

This one of the 108 Divyadesam temples in India. Nalayira Divya Prabandham extols the virtues of Sri Trivikraman temple in a hymn. The temple finds mention in Sangam literature in from 3rd BC to 3rd centuries CE. Ahananuru, Purananuru, Natrinai and Kurunthogai are some of these. Sri Trivikraman temple is also popular as one of the five Kshetras dedicated to Lord Krishna called Pancha Krishna Kshetra or Pancha Kanna Kshetra. These are referred as Pancha Dwarkas of South.

Who is the main deity?

The image of Lord Vishnu, carved in wood (Daruka Shilpa) is about 17 feet high in the Maha Sannidhi and based on the Bhagavata Purana. Brahma is worshipping the right foot. Goddess Lakshmi is close by. Namuchi the grandson of Bali is worshipping the foot on the ground. This form is known as Trivikraman Perumal. Goddess Lakshmi is called as Pushpavalli Thayar or Poongottai Thayar and is installed in a separate shrine. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Sri Venu Gopala Swamy, Ram and Hanuman have also been installed in separate shrines. Vishnu Durga has been installed in one of the Prakarams (Corridor). Tirumangai Alwar has written about this. Lord Sudarshana (Tamil: Chakrattalwar) is another important deity worshipped here.

Lord Vishnu takes the Avatar of Vamana and seeks three feet of land from the king Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlad, who had dethroned Indra and usurped his powers. Bali agrees to donate the land. Vamana shows his true form and covers the earth in one step and covers the space in the second step. Bali understanding that his ruling has come to an end, offers his head as the space for the third step. This vision has been captured in the image of Lord Vishnu in Tirukoyilur. In one hand he can be seen showing two fingers stretched, while questioning Bali about the third step in the other. His right leg can be seen stretched to cover the sky or the entire universe.

Legend of Vaman Avatar:

Bhagavata purana states the Lord Vishnu took the Avatar (Meaning: Incarnation) as a dwarf Brahmin Vamana to end the reign of Mahabali the grandson of Prahlad and restore Indra’s authority. Bali was born to Devamba and Virochana. Virochana was Prahlad’s descendant. Lord Vishnu was aware of the piety of Bali and therefore granted him immortality before sending him to the netherworld known as ‘Sutal’. He also allowed Bali to visit his kingdom once in a year. The teacher of Asuras Sri Shukracharya tries in vain to prevent the donation of three steps of land sought by Vaman the dwarf Brahmin. But, all his efforts bear no fruit. Bali had started Ashvamedha Yaag in the banks of Narmada River and taken the oath of donating to Brahmans who visited the place. A hymn in Rigveda (No. 1.154) also mentions this.

Temple Architecture:

Ulagalantha Perumal temple of tirukoyilur has been praised in 6th Century canonical works of Azhlwars. The temple has been built in Dravidian or Chola style over an area of five acres with Raja Gopuram reaching a height of 192 feet. Raja Gopuram has eleven tiers. It is a temple with third tallest tower among Tamil Nadu temples. The temple is adorned with two Gopurams. Gopuram on the sanctum is known as Srikara Vimanam. As many as 16 waterbodies have been built around the temple-complex. Shankha Teertham and Chakra Teertham are the most prominent among these. Pennar River flows closeby and is said to be the aquifer for the waterbodies. A Garudastambha (pillar) forty feet high with a small altar for Garuda at the top has been installed.

The present structure built in granite is said to have been developed by three generations of emperors of Chola dynasty. Records mention that the temple built with brick and mortar originally was degrading and therefore replaced with stone work. The old temple is said to have been built by Malayalam chieftains who had direct relationship with Cholas. Many inscriptions from different timeline have been found here.

A chieftain of Cholas, Ranakesari Raman is said to have built the Garbhagriha, Sukanasi and Mahamantapam in stone along with five Gopurams. King Vira Rajendra Chola developed the temple complex further, states another inscription. The temple was reinforced like a fort during the Vijayanagar Empire and served the British in this regard during Carnatic wars.

What are the Annual Events at Ulagalanda Perumal Temple?

Brahmotsavam festival performed during the Phalgunmaas (Tamil: Panguni) is a 15day celebration in Trivikraman temple. However, many celebrations are observed throughout the year like Chaitra Navaratri, Sharannavaratri, Deepavali, Vaikunth Yekadashi and many more.

What are the nearby places to Ulagalanda Perumal Temple?

Tiruvarangam temple also called Aadi Tiruvarangam dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located about 20 km from Ulagalanda Perumal Temple. This temple is also called Matsyavataram temple.

Panchavati Panchmukha Anjaneyar Temple:

Panchavati Panchmukha Anjaneya temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Villupuram is located about 103 km from Tirukoyilur Trivikraman Perumal temple. A 32 feet idol of Anjaneya attracts many devotees to the temple. Also installed here are Jayamangala Valampuri Maha Ganapathy and Sri Ramachandra. Devotees throng the temple offering their prayers on Saturdays which is considered a most auspicious day to visit this temple.

How to Reach Ulagalantha Perumal Temple?

Puducherry airport is located about 112 km from Ulagalantha Perumal Temple.

Villupuram Ralway station is located about 39 km from Ulagalantha Perumal Temple.

Tirukoyilur bus station is at walkable distance of 300m from Ulagalantha Perumal Temple.

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