Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Tirukoyilur, Villupuram

SRI ULAGALANTHA PERUMAL TEMPLE

Thirukovilur, Tamilnadu, India

God

Ulagalanda Perumal is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol contains the forms of two Gods - front side as Chakkarathalwar with sixteen hands and the back side as Narasimhar. The idol of Tirvikramar is in the standing posture, with one raised leg, surrounded by worshipping idols.

Interesting Facts

Mother Durga is Swayambu in the temple. Generally housed only in Shiva temples, is a rare feature of the temple.
The unique feature here is the chakra is in the lord’s left hand and the conch is in his right hand.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (36°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (34°C during the day and 25°C during night)Lowest - December to February (30°C during day and 20°C during night)Monsoon season – July to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Tirukoilur Bus Stand	270 M	‎18004194287
Thirukkovilur Railway Station	3.2 KM	139
Neyveli airport	68.8 KM

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thirukkovilur Railway Station	3.2 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Neyveli airport	68.8 KM

Architecture

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple was built in Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has a huge Raja gopuram with 11 tiers, Dhwaja Stambham is placed infront of the temple. This temple has Ardhamandapam, a Mahamandapam, the Pandya Mandapam and big Mandapam built by King Pandiyan. Originally constructed the temple with brick and rebuilt it of granite. The temple has eleven-tiered Rajagopuram with a height of 192 ft (59 m), the third tallest temple tower in Tamil Nadu, after the one in Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple and Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. The temple covers an area of 5 acres (20,000 m2). The main Sannidhi has a huge 17 feet Ulaganda perumal with his right foot raised. This is a vast temple with an imposing Rajagopuram seen from a distance. Covering an area of 5 acres, it has three prakarams. There is a small shrine to Vamana behind the image of Trivikrama. An Ardhamandapam, a Mahamandapam, and the Pandya Mandapam are seen in front of the sanctum. There are shrines to Lakshminarayanar, Lakshminarasimhar, Andal, Udayavar, Senai Mudaliyar, Manavaala Mamuni, Chakkarathalwar, Poonkoyil Naachiyaar (Pushpavalli), Varadaraja and Venugopala here. There is also a Ramar temple behind the Thaayar shrine. The rear gopuram in a comparative state of disrepair is not used. Two gopurams are found (i.e) one in front and another at the back. Front Gopuram is big gopuram and chariot is found close to it. On the North side of the temple is found a small gopuram, which is built incompletely. Poigai Alwar wanted a small gopuram to be built within a day and he himself wanted to build it. But, he could not build it since the daylight came. So, he left the temple incomplete. Inside the temple, the Kodi Maram (Dhwajasthambham) and the Gopura Vaayil (entrance) is found. This is said to be built by Thirumangai Alwar and then a big Mandapam built by King Pandiyan followed is the Mulasthanam (Where Moolavar is found). This temple was originally a brick and mortar structure in the period of Parantaka Chola I (early 10th century); it was patronized by the great Chola rulers Raja Raja Chol-I and Raja Raja-II. Rajendra Deva in the 11th century rebuilt it of granite.

Theerthams :

Krishna and Sri Chakra Theerthas - Some of the other theerthas are Mrikanda theertham - bathing here blesses one with health, wealth, strength, money, fame, power and above all with offspring.

Kalava theertham - Situated on the south-west of the main temple, the water is always pure, clear, sweet and sparkles like crystal, purging off sins instantly.

Varaha Thirtham - Parasuramar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is said to have bathed in these holy waters to atone his sins of having killed the kshatriyas.

Religious Significance

The object of Lord in his Vamanavatara-Trivikrama Avataram was to teach that wealth of even great kings should not land them pride and arrogance. He took the Viswaroopam, measured the space with his right Leg and the Earth with the right. He stood too tall touching both earth and sky. In his extreme delight to bless Emperor Mahabali, the illustrious grandson of Prahalada who was instrumental for his Narasimha Avatar, Lord appears here with the conch in the right hand and the discus in the leftvice-versa. This is described as his teaching wisdom to devotees. His posture-left leg on the earth and the right in the sky-appears as if he is asking where to place his foot for the third foot of land due from Mahabali as promised to him. Lord Brahmma is worshipping the foot in the sky. This is a very popular story of Lord Vishnu as a Vamana seeking three foot step land from Mahabali, which he could not afford as Lord had covered both earth and sky with two feet itself leaving no space for the third. Sage Mrigandu wanted to have this Viswaroopa Darshan of Lord and approached Lord Brahmma for his advice. Brahmma suggested that the sage go to Krishna Kshetra (now Thirukkovilur) on the banks of Krishnabadra River to realize his wish. The sage along with his wife Mitravathi came to this place and performed severe penance for the darshan of Lord. Lord came to their abode in the guise of an old Brahmin and begged for food. They didn’t have even a single grain of rice to offer. The sage turned to his wife. Mitravathi went in, took a bowl in hand and prayed to Lord Narayana to fill the bowl with food if she was the chaste wife of the sage. The bowl was full of delicious food. Pleased with their penance, Perumal granted his Viswaroopa darshan to the sage couple. This is the holy place where the first three Azhwars-Poigai Azhwar, Boodhathazhwar and Periyazhwarmet together incidentally by the grace of Lord. It was night raining heavily. Poigai Azhwar sought a place in the Ashram of Sage Mrigandu. He was shown a place to rest down. After a little while, Boodhathazhwar came to the same place for a space. The first Azhwar shared the space just sufficient for two to sit. The third Azhwar-Periazhwar too came there. The two shared the space with him sufficient only for standing. Suddenly, they were pressed due to the presence of a fourth comer who was but Perumal himself granting his darshan.

History

This temple was built in 6th - 9th centuries A.D. by Medieval Cholas. Rajendra Deva was renovated this temple 11th century. Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks are the contributors of this temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:30 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757