Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Lakshmi Narayana Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	–
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	– to – & – to –	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Annukudi	District:	Thanjavur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kumbakonam (16 km)	Thanjavur (28 km)
	Ariyalur (40 km)	Tiruvarur (51 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

The tiny hamlet of Annukudi is located southeast of Papanasam, on the Papanasam-Avoor road. The village of literally four streets, boasts of two temples of its own – the Lakshmi Narayana Perumal temple for Vishnu, and the Jagannatha Easwarar temple for Lord Siva. The two temples are located almost adjacent to each other.

There is no known sthala puranam for the temple, but it does appear that this place was once a village granted to brahmins, perhaps those who lived in nearby Papanasam.

This single-shrine temple is said to trace its origins back to the late Chola period – perhaps the 12^th century – though no documentary evidence exists to support this view except the design of the outer wall of the structure. It may be that such a Chola-period structure (maybe the remnants of this or another temple) existed here, was converted into this temple later. This view is also rendered plausible from the pictures of this temple taken about 30 years earlier, a collage of which is inside the temple.

The entrance to the ardha mandapam is flanked by Vinayakar (Thundikkai Azhvar) and a naagar vigraham. Inside, Garudazhvar stands facing Lakshmi Narayana Perumal, while a niche on the side houses vigrahams of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman. Inside the garbhagriham, is a very old vigraham of Lakshmi Narayana Perumal with Lakshmi seated on His left.

The village of Annukudi is important as the gateway to various temples in a collection of nearby villages. The neighbouring village of Uttamanathapuram or Uttamadhanapuram, in addition to having its own temples, is also the birthplace of U Ve Swaminatha Iyer, the Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light. The “U” in the great man’s name stands for Uttamadhanapuram.

Other information for your visit

Contact

Sri R Vadivelu, a retired member of the police force, lives on the street opposite the Perumal temple, and can be reached at 9944130881. He was instrumental in organising the kumbhabhishekam of both the Perumal and Sivan temple of this village.

Gallery