place: koviladi
god: appalaranganathar
goddess: kamalavalli
How to reach?
Tanjore and Trichy are the nearest cities. Tanjore has bus and train journey facilities. Trichy has bus, train and flight travel facilities. Even if bus facilities are available, car would be the best way to reach the temple. The temple is situated in a village called Koviladi, which is located between Trichy and Tanjore. This does not mean boarding Tanjore bus from Trichy will go in Koviladi route. Please make sure to enquire before boarding the bus. Cab facilities like Ola is also available in Trichy. Many other cab facilities are also available.
About the temple
The appakudathan appalaranganathar temple is one of the temples where Lord Vishnu is in Sayanakolam(posture where lord vishnu lies upon Aadhiseshan). This temple is the 8th Divya desam of the 108 Divya desams. It is the 2nd PanchaRanga temple of the 5 PanchaRanga temples. All the 5 temples are
1. Aadhi Rangam in Sriranga Pattinam
2. Appala Rangam in Koiladi
3. Madhya Rangam in Sirangam
4. Chathurtha Rangam(Sarangapani swamy temple) in Kumbakonam
5. Pancha Rangam in Thiru Indhalore(Mayavaram)
The temples are called Pancha rangam because Lord Vishnu carries the name Ranganathar in these five temples. The temple is situaten on the banks of river Kaveri. It is the only Lord Vishnu temple where river Kaveri flows very near to the temple. In the Garbhagraham of lord Vishnu, Kaveri amma(In India river is considered feminine and motherly) idol is present. The lake in the temple is called Indra Pushkarini. The temple tower is called Indra Vimanam. One shrine for Lord Vinayaka is present in the temple. This Vinayagar is known as Vazhi kaati Vinayagar meaning Path showing Vinayagar. People who don't know or understand their uniqueness in life, worship in this temple. To reach the Shrine of Lord Ranganathar and Goddess Kamalavalli, a flight of stairs should be climbed. River kaveri can be seen from the temple. Azhwar saints Periazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung mangalasaasanam(prayer songs) for Lord Ranganathar in this temple.
The specialty of the temple is a sweet called Appam. The Lord can be seen holding a big pot made of mud for containing appam. Everyday appam is offered to god in this temple. The temple is known as appakudathan appalaranganathar swamy temple. The goddess is kamalavalli nachiar, who is known to bring an end to sorrows to her devotees. Kasturi manjal(turmeric) could be brought to goddess here. Ghee is used to light lamps for both god and goddess. Tulasi and dry fruits can be purchased near the base of the temple to make pooja.
History
Indran's curse
Once Dhuruvasa maharishi was performing yagam. When Indran came to participate in yagam, Indran was consumed by pride and anger. Indran kicked the items kept for yagam and his actions enraged Duruvasa maharishi. Seeing Indran's behaviour, Duruvasa maharishi cursed him. Realising his mistake, Indran pleads forgiveness. Duruvasa maharishi asks Indran to worship Ranganathar in Appakudathan to overcome the curse. When Indran arrived, Ranganathar raised his hand to call him and released him from the curse. Even today, the left hand of Lord Ranganatha is raised up in a calling signal.
Markandeyan gets rid of fear of death
Once long ago, a couple lived happily but did not have a child. As they craved for a child, they worshiped lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed them and asked if they want a child who would live for 100 years and be a fool or a child who would live for just 16 years and be extremely intelligent. The couple decided they want the child who is intelligent and God Shiva blessed them with an intelligent child. The parents named their child Markandeyan. As a child, Markandeyan decided to get rid of fear of death. He came to Koviladi and worshipped Ranganathaswamy to get rid of fear. The god blessed him and Markandeyan lived happily.
Upari vasu and pot full of 1000 appams
Upari vasu was a king in koviladi. Everyday he served food to 100 brahmans. As Upari vasu's service continued, Lord Ranganatha came to Upari vasu dressed as a brahman. Upari vasu greeted him and served him food. To Upari vasu's delight and surprise, Lord Ranganatha ate all the food cooked for 100 people still dressed as brahman. Upari vasu humbly enquired if he needed any more items. Lord Ranganatha looked at him and said "Why do you always give rice varieties? Prepare 1000 sweet appams for me!". Upari vasu affirmed that he would prepare 1000 sweet appams by dusk and give it to Lord Ranganatha still dressed as brahman. Upari vasu fulfilled his promise by giving 1000 appams in a pot to Lord Ranganathar. Seeing Upari vasu's dedication, Lord Ranganathar show himself beautifully dressed as Lord Rangathar of Appakudathan temple. The pot of sweet appam is favourite to lord Ranganathar in this temple. He is shown to be holding the pot with his right hand. Even today sweet appams are prepared in temple. People can contribute to prepare this appam and distribute to people. As lord Rangathar is known for his love for dressing up (alangara priyar), various garlands can be used to offer to the god here.
Hope you all enjoyed this post!!! See you all soon with description of another temple!
god: appalaranganathar
goddess: kamalavalli
How to reach?
Tanjore and Trichy are the nearest cities. Tanjore has bus and train journey facilities. Trichy has bus, train and flight travel facilities. Even if bus facilities are available, car would be the best way to reach the temple. The temple is situated in a village called Koviladi, which is located between Trichy and Tanjore. This does not mean boarding Tanjore bus from Trichy will go in Koviladi route. Please make sure to enquire before boarding the bus. Cab facilities like Ola is also available in Trichy. Many other cab facilities are also available.
About the temple
The appakudathan appalaranganathar temple is one of the temples where Lord Vishnu is in Sayanakolam(posture where lord vishnu lies upon Aadhiseshan). This temple is the 8th Divya desam of the 108 Divya desams. It is the 2nd PanchaRanga temple of the 5 PanchaRanga temples. All the 5 temples are
2. Appala Rangam in Koiladi
3. Madhya Rangam in Sirangam
4. Chathurtha Rangam(Sarangapani swamy temple) in Kumbakonam
5. Pancha Rangam in Thiru Indhalore(Mayavaram)
The temples are called Pancha rangam because Lord Vishnu carries the name Ranganathar in these five temples. The temple is situaten on the banks of river Kaveri. It is the only Lord Vishnu temple where river Kaveri flows very near to the temple. In the Garbhagraham of lord Vishnu, Kaveri amma(In India river is considered feminine and motherly) idol is present. The lake in the temple is called Indra Pushkarini. The temple tower is called Indra Vimanam. One shrine for Lord Vinayaka is present in the temple. This Vinayagar is known as Vazhi kaati Vinayagar meaning Path showing Vinayagar. People who don't know or understand their uniqueness in life, worship in this temple. To reach the Shrine of Lord Ranganathar and Goddess Kamalavalli, a flight of stairs should be climbed. River kaveri can be seen from the temple. Azhwar saints Periazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung mangalasaasanam(prayer songs) for Lord Ranganathar in this temple.
The specialty of the temple is a sweet called Appam. The Lord can be seen holding a big pot made of mud for containing appam. Everyday appam is offered to god in this temple. The temple is known as appakudathan appalaranganathar swamy temple. The goddess is kamalavalli nachiar, who is known to bring an end to sorrows to her devotees. Kasturi manjal(turmeric) could be brought to goddess here. Ghee is used to light lamps for both god and goddess. Tulasi and dry fruits can be purchased near the base of the temple to make pooja.
History
Indran's curse
Once Dhuruvasa maharishi was performing yagam. When Indran came to participate in yagam, Indran was consumed by pride and anger. Indran kicked the items kept for yagam and his actions enraged Duruvasa maharishi. Seeing Indran's behaviour, Duruvasa maharishi cursed him. Realising his mistake, Indran pleads forgiveness. Duruvasa maharishi asks Indran to worship Ranganathar in Appakudathan to overcome the curse. When Indran arrived, Ranganathar raised his hand to call him and released him from the curse. Even today, the left hand of Lord Ranganatha is raised up in a calling signal.
Markandeyan gets rid of fear of death
Once long ago, a couple lived happily but did not have a child. As they craved for a child, they worshiped lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed them and asked if they want a child who would live for 100 years and be a fool or a child who would live for just 16 years and be extremely intelligent. The couple decided they want the child who is intelligent and God Shiva blessed them with an intelligent child. The parents named their child Markandeyan. As a child, Markandeyan decided to get rid of fear of death. He came to Koviladi and worshipped Ranganathaswamy to get rid of fear. The god blessed him and Markandeyan lived happily.
Upari vasu and pot full of 1000 appams
Upari vasu was a king in koviladi. Everyday he served food to 100 brahmans. As Upari vasu's service continued, Lord Ranganatha came to Upari vasu dressed as a brahman. Upari vasu greeted him and served him food. To Upari vasu's delight and surprise, Lord Ranganatha ate all the food cooked for 100 people still dressed as brahman. Upari vasu humbly enquired if he needed any more items. Lord Ranganatha looked at him and said "Why do you always give rice varieties? Prepare 1000 sweet appams for me!". Upari vasu affirmed that he would prepare 1000 sweet appams by dusk and give it to Lord Ranganatha still dressed as brahman. Upari vasu fulfilled his promise by giving 1000 appams in a pot to Lord Ranganathar. Seeing Upari vasu's dedication, Lord Ranganathar show himself beautifully dressed as Lord Rangathar of Appakudathan temple. The pot of sweet appam is favourite to lord Ranganathar in this temple. He is shown to be holding the pot with his right hand. Even today sweet appams are prepared in temple. People can contribute to prepare this appam and distribute to people. As lord Rangathar is known for his love for dressing up (alangara priyar), various garlands can be used to offer to the god here.
Hope you all enjoyed this post!!! See you all soon with description of another temple!