Chola Period Temple is rich in inscriptions
In centuries gone by, the Lord
here was referred to as the ‘Handsome Vinnagara Lord of Thiru Mizhalai Nadu’
Located
10kms West of Avudayar Koil in the Pudukottai District is an ancient over
900years old chola period Sundararaja Perumal temple in Irumbanadu. This is one
of the three ancient Sundararaja Perumal temples in this region, the others
being the ones at Theeyathur and Ponbethi.
Amidst lush green fields all along the 10km drive
from Avudayar Koil and away from the noise of a town life, this unspoilt and
simple temple has a tall and handsome Sundararaja Perumal with a conch and
chakra with his consorts Sri and Bhoo Devi by his side providing darshan in an
East Facing Standing posture. The Moolavar idol is a Varnakala moorthy and
hence there is no Thirumanjana for the Moolavar.
Chola Period Temple
Rich in
inscriptions dating back to the Chola period, the temple with its granite
construction still retains its solidity and strength of construction. The
temple is under the administration of ASI. The temple has 20acres of land take
care of by the ASI.
Going by
the inscriptions, the idol of the Moolavar as well as the architecture, the Sundararaja
Perumal temple here in Irumbanadu is believed to have been built in the later Chola
period, possibly in the 12th Century AD.
The Name
As per
the inscriptions, this place was referred to as Thiru Mizhalai Nadu and the
perumal at this temple was known by the name of ‘The Handsome Vinnagara Lord of
Thiru Mizhalai Nadu’.
Inscriptions
On the
Northern side of the Prakara are inscriptions dating back to early 13th
CenturyAD and to the rule of Kulothunga Chola while on the Southern side are
inscriptions dating back to the 2nd half of the 13th
Century to the rule of Sadayavarma Veera Pandyan.
There are also several exquisite sculptures on the pillars in the Maha Mandapa inside the temple.
Similar to Azhagar Koil
An
interesting feature at this temple is the presence of 18steps Karuppana Swamy
Sannidhi, bringing to the devotees memories of the Azhagar Koil Divya Desam
which is renowned for the 18step Karuppanaswamy as the Security guard at the
Eastern Entrance.
Dedicated Bhattar
Despite
not having a big devotee crowd to serve every day, the well read Padmanabha
Bhattar, who has been here at the temple for many decades now and whose family
has been taking care of the pooja at the temple for several generations, performs
one time pooja every morning at the temple before 9am.
Padmanabha
Bhattar has also taken the effort to provide inputs in Tamil on the
inscriptions found at this temple in a book that also contains several
religious poems in praise of Lord Vishnu.
Festivals
Vaikunta
Ekadesi- Opening of Swarga Vasal
Garuda
Seva on the Vaikunta Ekadesi night is celebrated in a grand manner
Puratasi
Saturdays are special at this temple and attracts devotees from the 10villages
surrounding this temple
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Sundararaja Perumal East Facing
Standing Posture
Thaayar : Sundaravalli Thaayar
Temple
Time : 7am-10am (Bhattar Stays next to
the temple. Hence please call in
advance)
Contact : Padmanabha Bhattar@ 99760 50185
How to reach
The
temple is about 60kms from Pudukottai off the Avudayar Koil –Embal route. Buses
ply every 15mts between Pudukottai and Aranthangi (35kms). From Aranthangi,
take a bus to Avudayar Koil (about 15kms).
From
Avudayar Koil, bus every 1 to 1 1/2hours to Irumbanadu.There
are no autos available at Avudayar Koil.
Taxi
from Avudayar Koil to Irumbanadu and back will cost Rs. 250/-
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