Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple locally called Aduthurai Perumal Temple in Vadakurangaduthurai, a village on the outskirts of Kumbakonam is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Jakath Rakshaka and his consort Lakshmi as Padmasanavalli.
Shrine’s History
The temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. A brick wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. As per Hindu mythology, demon Hiranyaksha fought with mother earth and went underground, called Patala. Vishnu was born as Varaha, an avatar in the form of a boar to pierced underground. He split the earth into two parts and brought the two back at Srimushnam. Thirumangai Azhwar quotes the incident and calls the village as Pugunthaan Oor, meaning the place where Vishnu went inside the earth.
Since Vishnu protected the world here, he is called Jagath Rakshaka Perumal . The gap seen in the sanctum close to the image of Jagath Rakshaka is believed to be the centre point of earth and all devas came together to worship him. Since it brought all of them together, an act referred in Tamil as koodal, the village is called Thirukoodalur
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Legends Associated with This Shrine
As per Hindu legend, King Ambarisha who immersed himself in the worship of Vishnu failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. While doing worship, he also did not observe the sage Durvasa who went along his way. The sage got irritated and cursed the king. The king went to Vishnu for rescue, who sent his discus to chase the sage. The sage surrendered to Vishnu and begged pardon. The king Ambarishan is believed to have built the temple and hence the presiding deity is also called Ambarisha Varadhar at this place.
As per another legend, all rivers come to river Kaveri for cleansing themselves. Kaveri wanted to cleanse herself and approached Hindu god Brahma. She is believed to have worshipped Vishnu at this place and got relieved. A parrot which was devoted to Vishnu was shot down in the nearby forest. Vishnu rescued the parrot and appeased him of him previous birth. Thus it is believed that Vishnu descends here for all forms of life. Vishnu is also believed to have appeared for sage Nandaka.Since all sages came here and prayed to Vishnu, the place is called Koodalaur.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
There are regular government and private bus services to Chennai, Thanjavur, Mannargudi, Tiruchirapalli, Chidambaram, Nagapattinam, Coimbatore, Madurai, Pondicherry, and Tirunelveli. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates daily services from Bangalore and Mysore to Kumbakonam and other major places.
By Rail
Kumbakonam is connected by rail with most important towns and cities in South India. The Mysore- Mayiladuthurai Express connects Kumbakonam with Mysore and Bangalore. There are regular express trains that connect Kumbakonam with all major cities.
By Air
The nearest international airport is at Tiruchirapalli, which is 91 km (57 mi) from Kumbakonam.
Shrine Timings
7 A.M 7:30 P.M
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Brahmotsavam festival May or June
Vaikunta Ekadasi December or January
Chithirai April or May
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby Temple
Andalakkum Aiyan Temple
Padikasu Nathar Temple
Gajendra Varadhan Temple
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal Temple
Appakudathan Temple
Adhivaraha Perumal Temple
Since all the holy rivers come to river Kaverifor cleaning themselves from the sin left out by the devotees. The holy river Kaveri approached Lord Brahma that river Kaveri wanted to cleanse Herself.
Lord Brahma asked river Kaveri to worship Lord Vishnu. And as a result river, Kaveri got purified by worshipping Lord Vishnu at this place.