Thirukudalur

Thirukudalur is traditionally enumerated as number 24 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

This is one amongst the divya desams in Chola Nadu. It is about 12 kms. from Tiruvaiyaru on the Tiruvaiyaru- Kumbakonam road. The moolavar is known as Vaiyam Katha Perumal i.e. Jagat Rakshakan. He is seen in a standing posture facing east with a prayoga chakra in His hand. The Utsavar is also knwon as Jagat Rakshakan, but He holds a sengol i.e. a sceptre in His hand. This ’stick’ is said to symbolise His role as the Ruler of the world. Goddess is known as Padmasini as also Pushpavalli. The theertham is Chakra theertham and Kaveri nadhi. The vimanam is Suddha Satva vimanam. The place is also known as Sangamuga kshetram.

Amongst the various divya desams visited by Thirumangai Alvar, there are only two places which have the names Kudal. One is Then Thiru Kudal i.e. South Thiru Kudal which is otherwise more popularly known as Madurai. The other Kudal is Vada i.e. North Thiru Kudal which is the divya desam under description in this chapter. This is on the banks of the river Kaveri. The temple here is more popularly known as Aduthurai Perumal Koil.

It is said that this place got the name Kudalur as in this place the devas along with Nandaka Munivar and other rishis joined to worship Perumal. In Tamil, the word joined is referred to as"kooda’. Hence it is that this place got the name Koodalur ie. the town where the devas and rishis came and worshipped Perumal jointly.

There are a number of stories connected with this divya desam. The stories are told in Brahmanda puran in several chapters.

The first story is with King Ambarisha and his generosity and qualities of devotion. It is said that once Durvasa rishi wanted to test the King’s religious faith. He met the King on a dwadasi day. He wanted to see whether he could make the King break his dwadasi vratham. When the rishi met the

Thiru Kudalur (Aduthurai Perumal Koil) 103