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๐ Lord Vishnu | ๐ Uraiyur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Sri Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple at Uraiyur (historically known as Thirukkozhi or Nichulapuri) is counted as the second among the 108 Divya Desams, celebrated right after the premier shrine of Srirangam. The temple holds extraordinary theological prominence in Sri Vaishnavism as the divine maternal abode and birthplace of Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar, an incarnation of Sri Mahalakshmi, as well as the sacred avathara sthalam (birthplace) of Thiruppan Alvar, the mystic saint-poet who composed the revered hymn 'Amalanadhipiran'. A distinctive feature of this Divya Desam is that Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar enjoys primary precedence over the Lord, causing the shrine to be widely venerated as 'Nachiyar Koil'. Uniquely, the sanctum sanctorum faces north directly towards the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Within the garbha griha, Lord Azhagiya Manavalan is depicted in a standing posture (Nindra Thirukolam) while Kamalavalli Nachiyar is seated beside Him (Veetrirundha Thirukolam) in their eternal celestial wedding pose (Kalyana Kolam). Uniquely among Divya Desams, there is no permanent processional bronze icon (Utsavar) for Perumal here; instead, during the annual 'Serthi Sevai' festival in the Tamil month of Panguni (on the Ayilyam star), Lord Namperumal Himself journeys in a grand palanquin from Srirangam across the Kaveri River to Uraiyur to unite with Kamalavalli Nachiyar in their divine marital home, which devotees consider one of the most auspicious and emotionally resonant darshans in South India.
Uraiyur possesses an illustrious historical legacy as the ancient capital of the Early Cholas during the Sangam era (dating back to the early centuries BCE and CE), mentioned in early Tamil literature and classical Greco-Roman trade chronicles as Argyre or Orthoura. The sacred name 'Thirukkozhi' is rooted in a popular regional legend wherein a valiant domestic fowl (kozhi) miraculously fought off and overcame an aggressive royal war elephant due to the inherent spiritual courage of the sacred soil, leading the Chola monarchs to establish their citadel and shrine here. According to temple tradition and devotional lore, the childless Chola ruler King Nanda Cholan prayed fervently to Lord Ranganatha for progeny and discovered a divine female child reclining upon a blossoming lotus flower in a pond. Naming her Kamalavalli, he raised her in royal splendour. When she grew of age and dedicated her life to marrying the Lord of Srirangam, Lord Ranganatha accepted her devotion and appeared as a radiant groom (Azhagiya Manavalan) to wed her. The king subsequently consecrated the temple to commemorate the sacred union. Historically, the present stone fabric and surrounding structures date from the Medieval Chola era around the 8th to 10th centuries CE, with substantial subsequent renovations, pillared mandapams, and enclosures added under the later Pandyas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Nayaks of Madurai. The shrine has been immortalized in the hymns of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Kulasekhara Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar, and is currently administered under the HR&CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Devotees traditionally worship the divine couple Azhagiya Manavalan and Kamalavalli Nachiyar in their wedding attire to seek reconciliation, enduring affection, and marital harmony.
Offering sincere prayers and archana here is believed in local tradition to remove astrological hurdles and expedite auspicious marriage alliances for eligible brides and grooms.
Following the sthala purana where King Nanda Cholan was blessed with a divine child, couples seeking parenthood pray here for the blessing of healthy children.
Associated with the legend of Thirukkozhi where fearlessness triumphed over brute force, worshipping here is believed to grant inner fortitude, mental strength, and success over adversaries.
As the foundational home of Goddess Mahalakshmi (Kamalavalli), regular worship is traditionally believed to attract auspiciousness, prosperity, and peace into family households.
Ceremonial holy bath offered to the deities with milk, curd, honey, and sanctified herbal waters, particularly conducted on special festival days and Fridays for Kamalavalli Thayar.
Devotional recitation of the thousand sacred names of Sri Vishnu or Sri Mahalakshmi with fresh tulasi and fragrant flowers for individual devotees.
Weekly ceremonial procession of Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar around the inner temple prakaram every Friday evening accompanied by temple percussion.
The annual cosmic union festival during the Panguni month when Lord Namperumal arrives from Srirangam to sit alongside Kamalavalli Nachiyar in a grand wedding ceremony.
No festivals available.
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