Veetrirundha Varadaraja Perumal, Tirukodiyalur, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Veetrirundha Varadaraja Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	Sridevi, Bhudevi
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12 & 4 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tirukodiyalur	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Mayiladuthurai (18 km)	Tiruvarur (27 km)
	Kumbakonam (35 km)	Nagapattinam (40 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

We request you to please read this short background about village temples, before you proceed.

This small Perumal temple is located just a little further west of the Tirumeyachur Lalithambigai temple, to the south of the Nattaru river.

This is believed to be a very old temple. When Lakshmi had come to worship Siva and Amman at the Tirumeyachur temple, Vishnu missed her presence at Vaikuntam, and therefore came to Bhulokam in search of her. Realising She was at Tirumeyachur, He decided to await her arrival nearby, at Tirukodiyalur. Not knowing how long She would take, the Lord decided to get seated, rather than remain standing. While He was here, various celestials and earthly beings worshipped Him, and obtained several boons, seeing as He was happy at the prospect of being reunited with Lakshmi! Hence, He is Veetrirundha (seated) Varadaraja (the Lord of blessings and boons) Perumal here.

The simple temple has just three shrines. The first is for Garudazhvar at the entrance, facing Perumal. The main garbhagriham houses Veetrirundha Perumal with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. Outside the garbhagriham, but in the mandapam itself, is a separate murti (not a shrine as such) for Chakaratazhvar, who is an anthropomorphic form of Vishnu Himself, but as the destructive force of Vishnu’s chakram (discus). On the reverse side of Chakarathazvar is Yoga Narasimhar, on the same murti.

The interesting part of this temple is the two connections it has with Saivism, apart from the sthala puranam that Lakshmi worshipped at Tirumeyachur. Firstly, Chakaratazhvar is depicted with a trident (usually associated with Siva) in His lower right hand. Secondly, the temple’s regular functions and observances include Pradosham every fortnight.

Other Information for your visit

Despite being located just 1km from the Tirumeyachur temple, this Perumal temple hardly sees any visitors, even though several thousands visit Tirumeyachur, and some go on further west to Tirukodiyalur Agasteeswarar temple to worship Saneeswarar.

The temple is open virtually throughout the day. Sri Rengarajan, the temple’s elderly bhattar, lives on the same street as the approach to the temple. He takes care of the place with great love and devotion to the Lord. His contact information is as below. This temple and the bhattar could do with more visitors and contributions.