Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple is a Divya kshetram located closer to Trichy and about 10 km from Lalgudi by road. This place is also known as Indragiri, Palaasavanam. This kshetram, together with Srirangam, Kumbakonam, Srirangapatnam in Karnataka and Mayiladuthurai along the course of river Kaveri, is called Pancharanga Kshetras. The temple morning timings are 07:00 am to 12:30 pm, and evening timings are 04:30 pm to 08:30 pm.
This temple is located on a small hillock named Indragiri and is easily accessible. The presiding deity is Appakkudathaan, holding a pot in one hand reclining posture, and the Thayar Indra Devi, known asKamalavalli.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple History:
Contents
- 1 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple History:
- 1.0.1 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Architecture:
- 1.0.2 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Timings:
- 1.0.3 Best time to visit Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.4 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Entry Fee:
- 1.0.5 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Special Rituals:
- 1.0.6 Chariot Festival at Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.7 Festivals Celebrated at Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.8 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Prasadam:
- 1.0.9 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Dress Code:
- 1.0.10 Tourist places nearby Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.11 Hotels nearby Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.12 Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Address & Contact Numbers:
- 1.0.13 How to reach Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 1.0.14 FAQs:
- 1.1 How many steps are there in Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple?
- 1.2 Who built the Perumal temple?
- 1.3 What is the perfect time to visit the Koviladi Temple?
- 1.4 What is the architecture of Perumal Temple?
The legend behind the temple is that a Pandyan king, Upamanyu, while hunting, killed a Brahmin by mistake on a tapas on the banks of a river. The grief-stricken king renounced his throne and wandered around, finally reaching Tirupper Nagar.
One night Lord Siva appeared in the king’s dream and asked him to worship Lord Narayana at this kshetram to get rid of the brahmachari dosham. There Upamanyu built a temple for Lord Narayana, and each day after worship, offered food to arthritis and appam. One day Sriman Narayana came to Upamanyu’s house disguised as a poor old Brahmin and asked for food.
The king asked the Brahmin to wait until the other Brahmins arrived. But the old Brahmin said he was too hungry to wait and started eating the food. But to the surprise of Upamanyu, the old Brahmin ate all the food and wanted more. He said only appams made of ghee would satiate his hunger. KingKing Upamanyu requested him to rest and went in to cook appams.
At that time, sage Parasarar, who was seeking Lord Vishnu, was directed by Lord Siva to Upamanyu’s place to worship the Lord disguised as an old Brahmin. Parasarar went to the king’s house, where he saw the old Brahmin lying on a couch holding an appa kudam in one hand.
Parasarar approached the Brahmin and bowed. There Lord Narayana regained His original form and gave darshan to Parasarar and Upamanyu, blessed both, and blessed King Upamanyu to eliminate his curse.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Architecture:
Appakkudathaan Temple has inscriptions from the 18th year of the reign of Aditya Chola. The recorded inscriptions in this temple numbered 283, 300, 301 and 303 of 1901.
As per Nammazhwar, the koviladi temple was home to the Vedic scholars of the time. The koviladi temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram facing west and an elevated structure approached through 21 steps.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Timings:
The temple morning timings are 07:00 am to 12:30 pm, and evening timings are 04:30 pm to 08:30 pm.
| Days | Morning Timings | Evening Timings |
| Monday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Friday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 07:00 am to 12:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
Best time to visit Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
The perfect time to visit the temple is from November till March as the mercury level comes down, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities. It is also the ideal time to visit some of the famous temples of Tamil Nadu.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Entry Fee:
There is no entry fee to see the temple. One visit to the temple takes 30 to 45 minutes, and it is good to go around the Arti time in the evening.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Special Rituals:
Appakkudathaan Temple rituals had performed four times a day:
| Rituals | Timings |
| Kalasanthi | 08:30 am |
| Uchikalam | 10:00 am |
| Sayarakshai | 06:00 pm |
| Ardha Jamam | 08:00 pm |
Chariot Festival at Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
The chariot festival is an important festival for the temple and also for the villages. It had celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni, and devotees from various places pull the chariot around the streets of Koviladi. A group of temple priests recited verses from the Nalayira Divya Prabandham amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument).
Festivals Celebrated at Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
Major Festivals Celebrated Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- 13-day Panguni Brahmotsavam.
- Kaisika Dwadasi in Karthigai (November to December).
- Teertha Vari at the River Cauvery during Maasi Magam (February to March).
- Nammazhwar Moksham in the time of Era Pathu in Margazhi (December to February).
- The chariot festival is important and celebrated in Panguni (April to May).
- Vaikunta Ekadashi during December–January.
- Navarathri during September – October.
- Butter pot breaking ceremony locally known as uri adi.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Prasadam:
Appakkudathaan Temple is the only Divya Desam where Neyyappam is offered to God every night as neivedhyam.
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Dress Code:
Devotees should cover their shoulders and knees out of respect, which counts for all genders. Men will be allowed to wear dhoti, kurta, trousers, shirts, and women may not be allowed to wear sleeveless clothes. Only full-length pants will be allowed.
Tourist places nearby Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- Brihadeeswara Temple
- Thanjavur Big Temple
- Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Vijaynagar Fort
- Ananta Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Rev. Schwartz Memorial & Church
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Anjaneyar Temple Nanganallur
- Poondi Madha Basilica
- Shiva Ganga Garden
- Umamaheswarar Temple Konerirajapuram
- Chandra Bagwan Temple
Hotels nearby Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
- Hotel Temple Stay
- Arasu Regency
- Comfort Inn
- Hotel Marvic
- Nandhu Hotel
- Sri Thilagavathy Hotel
- Prakash Residency
- Rudra Resort
- Hotel Bk San
Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple Address & Contact Numbers:
- Sri Appakudathan Temple, Koviladi (Tirupair)-613 105, Thanjavur district, Tamilnadu
- Contact Numbers: +91- 4362-281488, 281460.
How to reach Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple:
By Road:
Koviladi bus stand is the nearest bus stand.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Tiruchi Railway Station.
By Air:
The closest airport is Tiruchi.
FAQs:
How many steps are there in Koviladi Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple?
To reach the temple at a height of 2,600 feet, you must climb about 3,700 steep steps.
Who built the Perumal temple?
Located in the quaint village of Uthiramerur and constructed in the 8th century by Pallava king Nandivarman (731-796), the Sri Perumal Temple had dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
What is the perfect time to visit the Koviladi Temple?
The best months to see the temple is September to February.
What is the architecture of Perumal Temple?
The temple had constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. Vishnu had worshipped as Perumal and his partner Lakshmi as Anandavalli. The temple was originally constructed by Pallavan, with later additions from the Chola.