Vallam Madhava Perumal Temple

A historical 12th Century AD temple built by Vikrama Chozhan back to its glory days
Located on the Thanjavur-Trichy National Highway, about 10kms from Thanjavur is the historical almost 900 year old Madhava Perumal and Yoga Narasimha temple in Vallam.

The Name-Vallam
Vallaba Chozhan, who ruled this region, founded this village. Hence this place came to be called Vallaba Puri. Over time, this became Vallam.

Historical Reference
Vikrama Chozhan who ruled Thanjavur between 1118 and 1136 built the Madhava Perumal koil. The temple was then called Vikrama Vinnagaram, a reference to this can be found in the inscriptions inside the Gowri Amman and Siva temple (a historical temple that is also said to have been built around the same time as the Madhava Perumal temple) about 2 kms from here.

The story
Indra is said to have come here, bathed at the Vajra Theertham and was liberated from the curse of Gowthama Rishi, who was undertaking penance here. Hence, the lord here is also called ‘Devendran’.

Swayambu Murthies
Both Madhava Perumal and Yoga Narasimha are ‘Swayambu’ idols. Abhishekam takes place only four times a year during Vishnupathi Punyakalam ( 2am) on the first day of the Tamil Calendar months of Vaikasi, Aavani, Karthigai and Maasi.

Madhava Perumal can be seen in a sitting posture with a folded left leg and the right leg on the ground.

The temple currently does not have Utsava deities, which are said to be under the protection of the Palace in Thanjavur. The temple authorities are hoping to have it installed inside the temple in the coming months.

Yoga Narasimha
Lord Narasimha is believed to have killed Vallasuran and then given darshan to the devotees here.

There are Sannidhis for Raama, Azhvaars and Thaayar. A slim Anjaneya looks handsome in a smallish idol. Andal, for whom a separate sannidhi was rebuilt, also looks beautiful.

Contributions to the temple
Pandyas, Hoysalas, Nayaks and Marata kings contributed significantly to the upkeep and renovation of this temple.

20th Century AD-Temple closed for half a century
The temple was ignored for a major part of the last century and remained closed for 48years. With bushes surrounding this entire area, the temple had almost gone into ruins and seemed to become a part of ‘history’ until it was revived a decade ago. After renovation, the temple was reopened in 1996 and has since regained a lot of its lost beauty.

The temple is seeing an increasing number of devotees, of late.

Mottai Gopuram
The temple is currently without a Gopuram. The one that existed previously is believed to have been knocked under the Sultan Invasion.

Quick Facts
Deity : Madhava Perumal (Devarajan) East Facing Sitting Posture
Yoga Narasimha –South Facing
Goddess : Komalavalli
Temple Time : 6am-10am, 530pm-8pm

Contact : S. Kuppuswamy Bhattar @ 99437 32491 or 04362 266553

Festivals : Aadi Pooram Andal Kalyanam, Puratasi Kalyana Utsavam

How to reach Vallam
Buses every 5 minutes between Thanjavur and Trichy. The temple is a 5 minute walk from the Vallam Bus Stand.

Where to stay
Best to stay in Thanjavur