Perumpuliyur Sundararaja Perumal

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar stayed here on his way from Srirangam/ Anbil to Thiru Kudanthai

 Sun's rays fall on the Lord during three evenings in Panguni at the time of Sun Set

Located 4kms North West of Thiruvayaru on the Northern bank of the cauvery is the ancient Sundararaja Perumal temple in Perumpuliyur a temple whose legend dates back to the period of Thirumazhisai Azhwar.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar’s Perumpuliyur stay

After having praised Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam in his Thiruchanda Viruttam verses...

பொற்றை  உற்ற முற்றல்  யானை போர் 

எதிர்ந்து வந்ததைப் 

பற்றி உற்று மற்று  மறுப்பு ஒசிந்து பாகன் ஊர் 

சிற்றெயிற்று முற்றல் மூங்கில் மூன்று 

தண்டர் ஒன்றினர் 

அற்ற பற்றர் சுற்றி வாழும் அந்தண்

 நீர் அரங்கமே  

and Lord Vadivazhagiya Nambi at Thiru Anbil in his Naanmugan Thiruvanathaaathi,

நாகத்து அணை கட்டி....நாகத்து அணை அரங்கம், பேர், அன்பில்..

ஆதி நெடுமால் அணைப்பார் கருத்தன் ஆவான் 

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar left for Thiru Kudanthai where at Sarangapani Koil he enquired if the Lord was tired after his long trip to Sri Lanka and if that was the reason he would not wake up to greet the Azhvaar

 நடந்த கால்கல் நொந்தனவோ 

நடுங்க ஞாலம் யேனமாய் ...........

கடந்த கால் பரந்த 

காவிரி கரை குடந்தயுள் 

கிடந்த வாறு எழுந்து இருந்து பேசு வாழி கேசனே 

During the long trip across the Cauvery from Srirangam to Kumbakonam, Thirumazhisai Azhvaar stayed here at Perumpuliyur sitting on a Thinnai.  While he was thus sitting and relaxing, he heard the loud vedic chanting at the beautiful agraharam. As he moved towards the group, they visualised him as an unknown outsider making a sudden entry and taking steps towards the lord and immediately stopped the chanting.

A disappointed Thirumazhisai Azhvaar retracted his steps and came back to the Thinnai where he was previously relaxing.

To their surprise, the scholars forgot the verses they were chanting and could not recollect the next stanzas. Noting their embarrassment, Thirumazhi Azhvaar just plucked a couple of paddy grains with the end of his nails and cut it into two. And they immediately remembered the particular verse where they had previously stopped.

Interestingly they also found Lord Sundararajan showing a special liking for this unknown entrant at their village. Repeatedly they noticed the Lord moving towards this stranger. A few among the crowd were not pleased with this special attention on this newcomer and they expressed their displeasure.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar sang asking the Lord to provide darshan and open the eyes of the villagers:

அக்கரங்கள் அக்கரங்கள் என்று மாவதேன்கொலோ

இக்குறும்  பை நீக்கி என்னை ஈசனாக்க யெல்

சக்கரங்கள் கையனே சடங்கர் வாய் அடங்கிட

உட் கிடந்த வண்ணமே புறம் பொசிந்து காட்டிடே என வேண்டினர்

To the bewilderment of everyone present including the vedic seers, Sundararaja Perumal provided darshan on the chest of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar indicating the greatness of the ‘stranger’.

Immediately they realised their fault and invoked the blessings of the great saint poet and honoured him in the best way possible.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar sung praise of the Lord of Perumpuliyur before making his way to Thiru Kudanthai.

West Facing reverse posture

In memory of this episode, similar to Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal in Kanchipuram (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/10/108-divya-desam-kanchipuram-thiruvekka.html), the Lord here is seen in a West facing posture, a testimony that the Lord changed direction and reversed his posture to greet Thirumazhisai Azhvaar acknowledging his greatness.

At the western entrance of the temple is a Sudarshana Sannidhi (stone) where Lord Sundararajan first provided darshan to Thirumazhisai Azhvaar.

Vyakra Maha Rishi, the great rishi, came here and undertook penance. Since he had his right leg like a tiger’s leg, the place came to be called ‘perum’ puliyur.

In centuries gone by, big yagna was a regular occurrence here at perumpuliyur. There is a huge temple tank south of the temple.

Sun's rays on Sundararaja Perumal

Three days in Panguni, on March 17, 18 and 19, Sun’s rays fall on Lord Sundararajan in the evening during sun set, a very unique occurrence at this temple.

Vana Bhojanam was a special festive occasion in Karthigai in centuries gone by signifying that this was a forest and that people used to gather during festive occasions here at this temple.

There is an ancient Shiva temple near the Perumal temple.

Inscriptions

There are inscriptions in Telugu and Tulu inside the temple.  The temple is believed to have been renovated during the Chola and Nayak rule.

Festivals

10day Brahmotsavam in Chitrai with Chariot festival on Chitra Pournami

Vaikunta Ekadesi

Puratasi Thirumanjanam and Procession

Thirumanjanam on Deepavali

Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is being planned.

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Sundararaja Perumal West Facing standing posture

Thaayar           :Sundaravalli Thaayar East facing posture

Separate Sannidhi: Narasimha facing South

Time               :630am-12noon and 4pm-7pm

Contact           : Navaneetha Krishnan Bhattar @9025716465 

How to reach

Perumpuliyur is a small village 3kms North of Thillai Sthanam off the Thiruvayaru- Kallanai Highway. Bus A 42 to the temple from Thiruvayaru. Auto from Thiruvayaru to the temple will cost Rs. 100 ( contact: auto driver Elango@99433 54358)

When here, also visit Srinivasa Perumal temple at Thillaisthanam.