Koviladi Appakudathan

Location:

The town of Koviladi is about 12 kms from Lalgudi in the direction of Anbil. The town of Koviladi can also be accessed from Trichy on the route to Kallanai. Koviladi is about 8 kms from Kallanai. On the drive to the temple in Koviladi, one can see farmlands and banana plantations making the scenery very picturesque. The temple is in Thirupernagar in the town of Koviladi.

Appakudathan Temple:

The main deity of this ancient temple is Appalaranganathar (or Appakudathan) and his consort Kamalavalli Thayar. This temple is said to have been established even before the Srirangam temple and hence called Adirangam. Praises of this deity have been sung by Nammazhwar about 5500 years ago and by Thirumazhisaiazhwar in Dwaparayuga.

The Perumal is in the Kidandhan (lying down) pose on Adiseshan with left hand blessing Lord Indra and Chandra. The right hand blesses Markandeya Maharishi. Bhoomi Devi is seated at the feet of Perumal. Saligramam garland adorns the deity. There is a Kudam (Pot) near the right hand of the deity in which the Neivedyam of Appam (Sweet) is offered every evening around 5 pm. The Perumal is supposed to have protected all the oceans, lands and universe in his stomach during the Pralaya  Kaalam. The Utsava murthy and Santhana Gopala murthy are also in the Garba griham itself.

Five temples are said to constitute "Pancharangam". Appalaranganathar temple is called the Madhyarangam. Panguni Uthram festival is special for this deity as Appakudathan is said to have originated in Uthram star. Similarly, Sri Ranganathar arose in Revathi star, Parimala Ranganathar in Uthram star and Saranganathar in Chitra star.

The temple timings are from 7.30 am - 1 pm and from 4 pm - 8.15 pm. Eating the Appam that was offered as Neivedyam to Appakudathan is said to be beneficial for those seeking to have children.

Appakudathan Temple Entrance

Srirangam Ranganathar

Location:

The town of Srirangam is across the city of Trichy separated by the Cauvery River. 

Ranganathar Temple:

The famous temple has Perumal in the Kidandhan(lying) pose. The temple is huge with big Praharams and many Sannidhis. One of the Gopurams of this ancient temple had to be recently repaired/ reconstructed. This temple is also considered to be "Sukra Sthalam". From the Car Parking area, one can enter the temple through the Karthigai Gopuram.

On entering the main temple, one can see an enormous Garuda sannidhi. Garudar is also known as Periya Thiruvadi and Pakshi Raja. People with Naga Dosham or Pakshi Dosham can get relief by praying  to Lord Garuda. The body of Lord Garudar is adorned by eight snakes.

Name of the Snake.	Body part of Garudar
Ananthan	Left Arm
Vasuki	Poonal/ Sacred Thread
Dakshagan	Aranal/ Hip Chain
Karkotakam	Garland
Padman	Right Ear Ring
Mahapadman	Left Ear Ring
Sangan	Hair
Kuligan	Chest

Adjacent to the Garuda Sannidhi, is also the Lakshmi Hayagriva Sannidhi, Varahar and Saraswathi. Varahar is the third avatar who rescued Bhoomi Devi from the clutches of Hiranyaksha. People wishing to regain lost wealth can get good results by praying to Lord Varahar.

Other Sannidhis include those of Senkamala Thayar, Vasudevar, Pattabhiramar, Danvanthri, Kothandaramar, Chakrathazhwar and Maetu Azhagiya Singar. Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi can be accessed from the outer Praharam of Perumal Sannidhi.

There is also a Vasantha Mandapam dedicated to Saint Ramanujar who attained salvation at this very place at the age of 120. The 1000th birth anniversary of Saint Ramanujar will be celebrated in 2017. He is considered to be an incarnation of Adisesha. Once in 6 months, a paste of "Pachchai Karpooram" and Saffron is applied to the murthi of Ramanujar. One can also see the Perumal idol worshipped by Saint Ramanujar in addition to the murthi of His Guru in this place.

Sthala Puranam:

According to legend, Vibheeshana carried an idol of Perumal from India to Lanka. On the way he rested on the banks of Cauvery to finish his prayers. However when he tried to take the Perumal idol again, he was not able to even move it. It was the wish of Lord Perumal to rest on the banks of River Cauvery itself and He has remained here ever since to protect his devotees.