Ariyakudi Thiru Venkatamudayan Perumal Temple

The 17^th Century AD temple has a connection with Three Divya Desams - The idol of Srinivasa Perumal was the Abhisheka idol of Ramanuja at Srirangam, Shatari is from Tirupathi and Sacred fire (Agni) from Thirukoshtiyur
  

This is the biggest Vishnu Temple in the Chettinad Region with the 7Tier Raja Gopuram measuring 80ft

Located about 4kms South East of Karaikudi Railway Station on a huge 3 1/2acre land is the over 400years old Thiru Venkatamudayan Perumal Temple in Ariyakudi. This is the biggest Perumal temple in the Chettinad and one where there are festivals all round the year just like in Srirangam.

Sevukan Chettiyar used to walk to Tirupathi with a group of devotees on the Thiruvonam day in Puratsi for a darshan of Srinivasa Perumal. On one such trip, when ill health seemed to disrupt his trip to   the hill temple, he heard an invisible voice- that of Lord Srinivasa Perumal- say that He, the Lord, would himself provide darshan at the devotee’s place rather than the devotee coming all the way here.

Connection with three Divya Desams

He was directed to Srirangam to collect the idol, one which was the Abhisheka Murthy of Ramanuja. He came back here to this dense forest area of Ariyakudi and installed the idol of Srinivasa Perumal and built the first prakara. Subsequently, the 7tiered 80ft tall Raja Gopuram was built along with a separate Sannidhi for Alarmel Mangai Thaayar.  

The speciality at this temple here at Ariyakudi is that the idol is from Srirangam, the Shatari is from Tirupathi and Agni (the sacred fire) is from Thirukoshtiyur.

In memory of the construction by Sevukan Chettiyar, his idol can be seen on one of the main pillars inside the first prakara

Garuda

TEMPLE CHARIOT WITH EXQUISITE SCULPUTERS

On the North East corner of the temple is the Garuda Sannidhi. Every month on the Swathi star day, a special Thirumanjana, with 108 sacred Kudam, is performed for Garuda, who is said to remove doshams and enemies.

Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar

The 20^th century Carnatic Music legend Ramanuja Iyengar hailed from Ariyakudi. An archival record dating back to 1937 features a kutcheri presentation by him here at Ariyakudi.

Ancient Herbal Paintings

There are several ancient herbal paintings inside the temple each of which still has a breadth of freshness about them.

 Festivals

14day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi including Chariot Festival and Theppotsavam

Special Thirumanjana for Srinivasa Perumal in Chitrai

Swarna Garuda Vahana Procession on the opening day of Chitrai

Puratasi Thiruvonam Festival- Every year during the Thiruvonam festival in Puratasi, devotees have the honour of being blessed by the Lords from these three Divya Desams (via the Abhisheka idol, the shatari and the sacred fire brought from Thirukoshtiyur for the Karpoora Aradhana) at the Dasavathara mandapa.

Temple Tank

There is a huge tank to the North of the temple where the annual Theppotsavam takes place in the month of Vaikasi. 

 

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Thiruvenkatamudyan East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar           : Alarmel Mangai Thaayar

Utsavar            : Srinivasa Perumal

Time                : 730am-12.30pm and 430pm-8pm

Contact            :  Srinivasa Bhattar/ Thirumalai Bhattar @ 04565 221961 or 94866 34228 / Raghurama Bhattar @ 04565 250028/ 99400 77991 /AG Raman Bhattar @ 04565 250144

How to reach

Take Chennai- Rameswaram Express to reach Karaikudi. From the railway station, an auto will cost Rs.40 to the temple. There are also town and mini buses from Karaikudi bus stand, though these are infrequent.

There are three passenger trains during the day to take one back to Pudukottai and Trichy