Kripa Samudra Perumal, Tiruchirupuliyur, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kripa Samudra Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	Thirumaamagal Nachiyar
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:	Tirusirupuliyur
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Maanasa Teertham, Ananta Saras
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	7 to 12 & 5.30 to 8	Parikaram:	Naga dosha nivritti
Temple group:	Divya Desam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruchirupuliyur	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Mayiladuthurai (15 km)	Tiruvarur (31 km)
	Kumbakonam (39 km)	Nagapattinam (40 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

There are only two temples where Vishnu, as Ranganathar, faces south – one is Srirangam, and this is the other. This ancient temple is mentioned in the Brahmanda puranam and the Garuda puranam. After giving Sage Vyaghrapada darasanam at Chidambaram, Lord Siva instructed him to worship Ranganathar at Srirangam, in order to attain Vaikuntam. Vyaghrapada was joined by Sage Patanjali on the journey, but due to their age and poor eyesight, the sages lost their way and reached Krupa Samudram, and believing it to be Srirangam, worshipped Vishnu. In order to give the sages what they desired, Vishnu appeared here as Ranganathar in sayana kolam, as He is at Srirangam. But the sages could not see the massive form of Vishnu properly, so the Lord took a form of a small child, yet in sayana kolam – known as Bala Sayanam.

Siru in Tamil means small, and puli means tiger. Because Vyaghrapada worshipped a smaller form of Vishnu here, the place is called Tiru-Siru-Puliyur. The utsavar here is worshipped as Kripasamudra Perumal. Vyaghrapada’s murti can be seen at Ranganathar’s feet, in the garbhagriham.

Once, Garuda and Adiseshan had an ego-fuelled argument, as to who was more devoted to Vishnu. To settle this dispute, they came to Sirupuliyur. Seeing Garuda appear more arrogant, Vishnu adjudged in favour of Adiseshan. Happy with this, but fearing Garuda’s reaction, Adiseshan curled up under Vishnu, becoming His bed (until then, Vishnu was in sayanam on the ground – hence this deity is traditionally also called Sthalasayana Perumal). This outcome mad Garuda only angrier, and he vowed never to fly over Sirupuliyur. Even today, it is believed that eagles do not fly over this temple. This is also the story behind why snakes and eagles are considered enemies.

Once, Tirumangaiazhvar came to this temple but was disappointed to see the Lord’s small form. Vishnu understood this, and asked azhvar to go to Tirukannapuram to see Him in his full form in nindra kolam.

Connected with the temple’s puranams, this is a naga dosha nivritti sthalam and also a prarthana sthalam for childbirth.

The highlight of the temple is the south-facing four-tiered rajagopuram, which has various episodes from the Ramayanam and Mahabharatam carved in plaster and stone, moving sequentially in an anti-clockwise direction. The temple also has a small annexe – a separate shrine for Adiseshan.