| Description: This
Divya Desam is situated in Uraiyur, the ancient Chola capital, now a part of Tiruchirappalli; the Shivastalam enshrining Panchavarneswarar is also
located in Uraiyur. Tirukkozhi is the birthplace Tiruppaanalwar the author of Amalanadipiran (the celebrated
paasuram describing the glory of the image of Ranganathar, at Srirangam). Deities: Azhagiya Manavalar
(in a standing posture) facing north, with his consort Kamalavalli in the same sanctum in
a seated posture are the presiding deities here. There is no festival image for Perumaal
here. The festival image of Ranganathar is brought in procession from Srirangam to
commemorate his marriage with Senkamalavalli.
Legends: A valiant rooster, believed to have warded off an elephant
with it's beak, here at Uraiyur; the name Tirukkozhi (Mookkeeswaram)
possibly stems from this legend. Kamalavalli Naachiyaar, daughter of the local Chola King
is said to have meditated upon Vishnu, and married him here after which the Chola King
built this temple, with its door facing North towards Srirangam.
The temple: Upon entering the temple, one encounters a large mandapam
with pillars ornamented with exquisite sculptures. There are several mandapams in the
temple prakaram, with shrines to the Alwars and the Acharyas. There is a shrine to
Tiruppaanalwar north of the temple tank
Festivals: In the month of Pankuni, the image of Ranganathar from Srirangam is brought in procession to this
temple and a grand Kalyana Utsavam is celebrated on the day preceding Pankuni Uthiram.
Shown above, is the festival image of NamPerumaal
of Srirangam. The Tiruppanalwar festival is held in the month of Kartikai. |
