Tirupper Nagar

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Koyiladi nearLalgudi
(
Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Appakkudattaan
Taayaar: Indra Devi, Kamaladevi
Theertham:Indra Theertham, Kollidam
Paasuram :Periyalvar, Tirumangai, Tirumazhisai, Nammalvar
Vimaanam:Indra Vimanam
Travel Base:Tiruchirappalli
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DescriptionThis Divyadesam is located at a distance of about 10km from Lalgudi near Tiruchirappalli and is 23km west of the Shivastalam Tiruvaiyaru. It is also known by the names Indragiri, Palaasavanam, and Pancharangam.

Deities: Vishnu is referred to as Appakkudattaan or Appalaa Ranganathar; the sanctum enshrining Vishnu in a reclining posture, faces West. The image of Appakkudattaan, blessing Upamanya Muni, holds a pot. Legend has it that Upamanyu Muni and Paraasarar were blessed by Vishnu here. There is a separate shrine for Kamalavalli taayaar in an east facing sanctum.

There are also shrines to Ganesha, Nammalwar, Ramanuja, Lakshmi Narayana and Venugopala. It is believed that Nammalwar recited the last of his paasurams here before departing the mortal world.

The temple: This is a temple built at an elevation on a hill by name Indragiri. With 2 prakarams, it covers an area of about 2.5 acres, and has a rajagopuram of great workmanship. Inscriptions from the Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar periods are seen here.

Legends: A ruler by name Uparisravas offered penance at this shrine to obtain relief from a curse of Durvasa muni. Per his penance, he resolved to feed a hundred thousand guests each day. Legend has it that Vishnu appeared in the form of an aged guest and pleaded with the king to feed him. His supply of cooked rice exhausted for the day, the distraught king sought a way out and fed the elderly guest with an offering of sweet rice cakes (appam). The king percieved Vishnu in the form of an elderly guest and was absolved of his curse. Vishnu here is portrayed with a pot containing sweet rice cakes and hence the name Appakkudattaan. Appam is prepared as a daily offering to the deity here.

Festivals:Vaikuntha Ekadasi, and the annual Panguni Bhramotsavam are celebrated here. Six worship services are offered each day.

Tirumazhisai Alwar refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position   - Tirukkudandai, Tiruvegkaa, Tiruvallur, Tiruvarangam, Tiruppernagar, Anbil and Tirupparkadal in a paasuram.

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