Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 11th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Thiru
Adhanur near Kumbakonam is one of the 108 Divya Desams.dedicated to Lord
Vishnu. Andalakkun ayyan temple here is one of the Vaishnava navagraha parihara
sthalams around Kumbakonam. It is a Guru parihara sthalam. The main deity in
this temple is Andalakkumayyan. He is present here facing East in Kidantha
Kolam and Bujanga sayanam. He has been worshipped here by Brighu Maharishi,
Kamadhenu, thirumangai Azhwar and Agni. His consort here is Ranganayaki Thayar
also known as Kamalasini.The utsavar is Ranganathar. Adi pooram, Brahmotsavam
in Vaikasi and Pavitrotsavam in Avani are some of the important festivals in
this temple.
Perumal
blesses the devotees in a reclining posture. The Vimana above the sanctum is
called Pranava Vimanam. The Rajagopuram is of three tier structure. The temple
is in between Cauvery and Kollidam rivers. As Kamadenu the divine cow (Aa in
Tamil means cow) performed penance here, the place is named Aa, Than-Its –
place – Aa Than Oor – Athanur. There is a sculpture of Lord Vishnu on the
sanctum Vimana among three Boodha Ganas. People say the idol is growing in
years.
Thiumangai
Azhwar had undertaken the task of constructing the wall of the Srirangam temple
and was on a trip to mobilize funds. At Thriu Adhanur, he met a person who
claimed to be a messenger of the Lord. This stranger had a measuring bowl
(marakkal) in his hand. He said that by reciting the name of the Lord and
holding the empty measuring bowl he could get whatever he desired. Thirumangai
Azhwar requested for payment of the wages for the labourers at Thiru Adhanur.
The stranger laid a condition that he would measure sand with the empty
measuring bowl and pay as wages. The sand would turn into gold for the sincere
workers and for the others it would remain as sand. When the sand was measured
and given to the labourers many of them found that it did not turn into gold
and remained as sand. Thirumangai Azhwar was intrigued and started going after
the stranger who had by now left the place. He soon found this man in the
temple and was pleasantly surprised that it was the Lord himself who had come
in guise of the stranger. The Lord gave him darshan with the marakkal
(measuring bowl) in His right hand and an ezhuthani and olai (pen and palm leaf
used as writing pad) in His left hand. Lord is resting in this form after
looking into the needs of His devotees, it is said. Divine cow Kamadenu is at
the feet of the Lord.
Lord
Shiva once plucked one of he heads of Lord Brahmma which simply stuck to His
hands. He could not separate it from His hand. Hence, Lord Shiva asked Agni to
burn the head. Agni-Fire too failed. Also Lord Shiva incurred the Brahmmahati
dosha. Lord Shiva had the curse removed by worshipping Perumal here. Lord Shiva
has His due place in the sanctum near Perumal. Sage Brugu and Tirumangai Azhwar
are also in the sanctum.
According
to our belief and scriptures, there are two pillars in the Paramapata, Abode of
Lord Vishnu. Jeevas would be relieved of their sins if they embrace these
pillars while going up. There are two such pillars in this temple in the
Arthamandapa. Devotees use to circumambulate the pillars in even numbers and
worship the feet and head of Lord to attain salvation. Those awaiting marriage
also worship this way for realizing their wish. Of the 108 Divya Deasas, only
Srirangam and Adanur temples only have these pillars.
When
Sage Brugu worshipped Perumal in the Milk Ocean, Mother Mahalakshmi presented
the sage with a garland. The sage gave it to Indira who in turn placed it on
the head of his elephant. The animal drew the garland and crushed it under its
foot. Boiling in anger, the sage cursed Indira to be born a human on earth.
Indira fell down to earth and rushed to Lord seeking relief. Mother Mahalakshmi
assured Indira that she would be born the daughter of Sage Bruhu and he would
be relieved of the curse when She weds Perumal then. Indira waited for the
time. When the divine wedding took place, he got the relief. Lord Perumal
granted darshan to him in His celebrated reclining posture.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Andalakkum Aiyan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Bargavi |
|
Theertham |
Chandra Theertham |
BELIEF:
It is believed that worshipping Perumal in the temple would bring in prosperity
in the family and bless the devotee with excellence in educational pursuits.
Devotees offer vastras and special nivedhanas to Perumal.
The
temple follows Pancharatra Agama and the worship practices are carried out by
hereditary priests. The major festival of the temple, the Brahmotsavam is
celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May
- June). Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrated during the Tamil
month of Margazhi (December–January) is the other major festival
celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiru
Adhanur is just about a kilometer from another Divya Desam,
Thirupullaboothangudi. It is 11 kms from Kumbakonam and 5.5 Kms from Swami
Malai. There are buses that ply every half an hour from Swami Malai and
Kumbakonam to Thiru Adhanur.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Andalakkum Aiyan
Temple,
Tiru Adanur,
Via Pullam Boothankudi,
Papanasam,
Tamil Nadu - 612 301.
LOCATION:
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