Thirumangai Thiruchitrakoodam Paasuram

Visit Thillai Thiru Chitrakoodam and you will find a sudden calm and peace in yourself

கையோடு நீடு கனி உண்டு,
வீசு கடுங்கால் நுகர்ந்து, நெடுங்காலம் ஐந்து

தீயோடு நின்று, தவம் செய்ய வேண்டா
திரு மார்பனைச் சிந்தையுள் வைத்தும் என்பீர்

வாய் ஓது வேதம் மலிகின்ற தோல் சீர்
மறையாளர் நாளும் முறையால் வளர்ந்த

தீஒங்க ஓங்கப் புகழ் ஓங்கு
தில்லைத் திருச்சித்ரகூடம் சென்று சேர்மின்களே


To those seeking to keep the Lord in their hearts, Thirumangai Azhvaar provides a simple solution. He asks them not to undertake severe penance living just on fruits and vegetables, drinking thin air.

He says that they need not stand between the five fires.

Just visit Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam where Govindarajan resides amidst
the daily chanting by Vedic Seers
and see the transformation in yourself, says Thirumangai.

Thiru Kudanthai Periya Thirumozhi Pasuram

ஆவியே, அமுதே என நினைந்து உருகி
அவர் அவர் பனை முளை துணையாய்

பாவியேன் உணராது எத்தனை பகலும்
பழுதுபோய் ஒழிந்தன நாள்கள்

தூவி சேர் அன்னம் துணையோடு புணரும்
சூழ் புனல் குடந்தையே தொழுது

என் நாவினால் உய்ய நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன்
நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்

In this Periya Thirumozhi verse, Thirumangai Azhvaar talks about how
sinned we are going behind women and how we all realise late that it
has been a complete waste of time.

Only when one visits Thiru Kudanthai and experiences the pure water of the Cauvery
amidst the bustling sounds of the birds, does one finally wake up to the fact
that chanting Narayana's name is the ultimate route to salvation... and that we should not waste time in other worldly pleasures.

Koviladi Appakudathan Renovation

This Pancha Ranga Kshetram is looking for funds for renovation

Utren, Uganthu Pani Seithu Un Paadham Petren 

Eethey Inmai Venduvathu Enthaai

Katraar Maraivaanargal Vaazh Thiruperaarku

Atraar Adiyaar Thamakku Allal Nillaavey

                                                  - Thiruvoimozhi Paasuram on Thirupernagar

It was on the Lord of Thirupernagar that Nam Azhvaar dedicated the last of his Divya Prabhandham verses before attaining the feet of the Lord and hence the credit for ‘NamAzhvaar Moksham’ goes to this Lord.

 

A Pancha Ranga Kshetram, the Appala Ranganatha Divya Desam at Koviladi (Azhvaars in their Paasurams refer to this place as Thirupernagar) is located on a mound right on the banks of Cauvery 25kms from Trichy /Srirangam and 6kms East of Kallanai. One has to climb 21steps to reach the sanctum.

Four of the Azhvaars (Thirumangai, Thirumazhisai, Peri Azhvaar and NamAzhvaar) have showered 33 verses of praise on Appaala Rangan of Thirupernagar. As seen from the above verse of Nam Azhvaar, Thirupernagar was once home to great Vedic scholars and one where there was non-stop Vedic Chanting.

Inscription on the Northern wall of the temple that dates back several centuries indicate that there were donations made towards construction of a Maha Mandapam.

The name Koviladi

Legend has it that Appaala Ranganatha was the one who led the way and measured the steps to Srirangam (Ranganatha) and hence the name ‘Kovil - Adi’ (Srirangam is referred to as the ‘Kovil’ among Divya Desams and Adi means ‘Step’) and hence the belief is that Koviladi dates back to a period prior to the Srirangam temple. 

 

A divya desam with such a rich history has been in bad shape in recent times. Moolavar Appa Kudathan seen in a grand Bhujanga Sayana Posture facing West has been resting amidst broken temple walls, cracked temple tower and almost a collapsing Madapalli (cooking area)!! The good news is that the temple authorities have finally decided to renovate the temple. 

The Story of the Lord eating Appam 

King Uparisiravasu, while on a hunting expedition, accidentally killed a Brahmin, mistaking him for an animal. Cursed by Sage Durvasa, the King lost all his powers. To get himself liberated from the curse, he was asked to feed one lakh Brahmins. While he was undertaking this process, Lord Narayana, disguised as an old hungry Brahmin, visited the king here at Thirupernagar. Taking the opportunity to feed another Brahmin, the king took special care of his guest. But to his dismay, the old Brahmin consumed all the food that had been prepared that day. 

Not satisfied with what he had just consumed, the disguised Lord asked the king to feed him a pot (Kudam) of ‘Appam’ (a sweet rice cake delicacy). The moment he consumed the pot of ‘Appam’, the King was liberated from his curse and regained his lost powers. 

 

Being the one who consumed a pot of this sweet delicacy, the Lord here is called ‘Appa Kudathan’. To this day, one finds the ‘Appam’ ‘Kudam’ to the right of the Sleeping Lord inside the sanctum. This is the only Divya Desam where Appam is offered daily to the Lord. 

Pancha Ranga Kshetram

Another significance of the Appala Rangam Divya Desam is that this is a Pancha ‘Rangam’ Kshetram – said to be the most sacred of Ranganatha temples. The other four of the Pancha Ranga temples are Aathi Rangam (Srirangapatna), Madhya/Kasturi Rangam (Srirangam), Chathurthara / Saarangam (Thiru Kudanthai) and Anthima/Parimala Rangam (Thiru Indhalur).

 

Appala Rangan lures Thirumangai 

Thirumangai Azhvaar was so enticed by the Lord at Thirupernagar that he continued to be reminded of  Appaala Rangan even after he left Koviladi and moved on to Thiruvellarai (a Divya Desam on the Northern side of Coloroon) as can be seen from this verse in Periya Thirumozhi: 

 

“Thulakkamil Sudarai, Avunan Udal Pilakkum Mainthanai

Peril Vanangippoi Alappilaar Amuthai, 

Amararku Arul Vilakkinai Sendru

Vellarai Kaandumey” 

Festivals

The 13 day Brahmotsavam in Panguni, Kaisika Dwadasi in Karthigai, Theertha Vari at the Cauvery on the Maasi Magam and NamAzhvaar Moksham during Era Pathu in Margazhi are special occasions at this temple. 

Those interested in contributing to the renovation of this ancient Divya Desam can contact: 94431 83618 / 97150 37810 / 99524 68956. 

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Appa Kudathan West Facing Bhujanga Sayanam 

Utsavar            : Appaala Rangan

Goddess           : Indira Devi / Kamalavalli

Temple Time   : 730am-1pm and 430pm-8pm

 

How to reach Koviladi: 

 One can reach Koviladi by taking Trichy- Kallanai - Thirukattupalli route. Buses ply every half hour from Trichy Central bus stand and Chathiram Bus Stand. Taxi from Srirangam/Trichy to Koviladi and back will cost Rs.350-400.

Highlights of Koviladi Divya Desam

One of the Sacred Pancha Ranga Kshetram

Nam Azhvaar Moksham is credited to the Thirupernagar Lord

Only Divya Desam where Appam is given to the Lord every day

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/restoring-the-glory-of-a-temple/article791537.ece

Erettai Tirupathi

Nam Azhvaar saw Lord Devapiraan of Erettai Tirupathi as both his father and mother, While the ladies here were always uttering and chanting the name of 'Aravinda Lochana'


Two Temples at Thulai Villi Mangalam, referred to as Erettai Tirupathi, about 100 yards of each other on the Northern banks of Tamaraibarani make up one Divya Desam

Nam Azhvaar has sung 11 verses of praise on Devapiran and Aravinda Lochana, the deities of the twin temples, located about 10kms East of Sri Vaikuntam. There is now a lot of freshness about the place now with a school and a hospital set up TVS, with these two temples receiving a face lift as well.

Devapiran Temple

When Rishi Suprabar dug the ground here for a yagna he was performing, he found a bow and a measuring scale, which turned into a handsome young man and a beautiful girl thus relieving them from Kubera’s curse.

Nam Azhvaar saw and attained Lord Devapiraan of Erettai Tirupathi as both his father and mother in thought, word and deed.

சிந்தையாலும் சொல்லாலும் செய்கையாலும்
தேவபிரானையே தந்தை தாய் என்று அடைந்தவன்
குருகூர் சடகோபன் 

The name
As one found a bow and measuring scale, this place came to be called ‘Thulai’ ‘Villi’ Mangalam.

Festivals
Karthigai Brahmotsavam
Thai Fridays
Puratasi Saturdays

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Devapiran Standing Posture
Goddess : Karunthadakanni Thaayar
Contact : Seshamani Bhattar @94424 90567 / S. Raghu Bhattar @ 94878 31689

Aravinda Losanar Temple


100 yards North of Devapiran temple is the Aravinda Losanar temple. Pleased with Sage Suprabar’s devotion of offering Lotus flowers every day without fail., Lord provided darshan in a standing posture. As he adorned himself with the Lotus flowers, he is referred to as Aravinda Losanar. Belief is that those who offer sincere prayers here with Lotus flowers will be relieved from their sins.

In the Thiruvoi Mozhi Verse on Aravinda Lochana Divya Desam, Nam Azhvaar refers to this prosperous temple as being in Thulai Villi Mangalam on the Northern Bank of Porunai River (Tamaraibarani) where there was constant Vedic Chanting and where the ladies were always uttering the name of ‘Aravinda Lochana’.

திருந்து வேதமுகம் வேள்வியும்
திரு மா மகளிரும் தாம் மலிந்து
இருந்து வாழ் பொருநாள் வடகரை
வான் தொலைவில்லி மங்களம்

கருந்தடம் கணி கைதொழுத அந் நாள்
தொடங்கி இன் நாள்தோறும்
இருந்து இருந்து, அரவிந்த லோசன
என்று என்றே நைந்து இறங்குமே –Thiruvoimozhi

Festivals: 10day Aipasi Brahmotsavam
Moolavar: Aravinda Losanar
Goddess : Karunthadakanni Thaayar
Contact  : Ramanan Bhattar @ 94435 54570

Azhvaar : NamAzhvaar (11 Paasurams)
Time      : 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm