Located about 8kms West of Kumbakonam is the historical several centuries old temple of the handsome Soundara Raja Perumal in Sundara Perumal Koil near Papanasam.
The Story
Cursed by a rishi, Indra was struck with an illness. To relieve himself from the curse, he came here and undertook penance under the Vanni Tree in Sundara Perumal Koil. He was to donate pumpkins to Brahmins but when he could not find a Brahmin, it is believed that Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin and appeared here before Indra.
Later, Lord Vishnu provided darshan to Indra as Soundara Raja Perumal and relieved him of his curse. In a thanking gesture, Indra installed the idol of Soundara Rajan and built this temple.
Abhimana Perumal
According to the puranas, Sundara Raja Perumal is said to be the Abhimana Lord for Pulla Bhoothang Kudi Rama, Lord of Azhagar Koil and Oppiliappan.
There is a separate sannidhi at this temple for 18 step Karuppiah(similar to Azhagar Koil) who acts as the security for this temple.
There are also separate sannidhis for Vishwaksena, Yoga Narasimha, Kannan, Anjaneya, Azhvaars and Garuda.
Festivals
Puratasi Navarathri is the only big festival at this temple. On Vijayadasami, Sundara Raja Perumal goes out on his only street procession of the year.
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Soundara Rajan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Soundara Valli-Separate Sannidhi
Utsavar : Sundara Rajan
Time : 630am-12noon and 4pm-830pm
Priest : Sundara Raja Bhattar @ 94446 56944
How to reach Sundara Perumal Koil
Buses between Kumbakonam and Thanjavur stop near the railway level crossing at Sundara Perumal Koil ( about 2kms West of Swami Malai and 5kms East of Papanasam). The temple is about 1/2km from the bus stop. Car from Kumbakonam will cost about Rs.200-250/-
4 comments:
Happy to see my hometown.
Iam very very happy today ,because I came to a place where I was born, but extremely sorry to see the conditions of the Temple.
Today I took a promise that I have to do something for this Temple.
I will be back to Bengaluru on Sunday and start working on to something for this Sundaraperumal koil.
Glad that the missing Thirumangai Alwar metal Statue since50__60Years ,stolen from this temple @London'sAshmolean Museum , thanks FIP.(French Institute of Pondicherry).for having helped "trce matching"the missing idol.Relieved.
The tirumangai alwar has not been returned by london ashmolen musuem yet , as of 2023 per latest reports
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