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Sri Jagathrakshakan Perumal Temple

Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple or Thirukoodalur (locally called Aduthurai Perumal Temple) in Vadakara Aduthurai, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is the 8th divya desam which is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Jakath Rakshaka and his consort Lakshmi as Padmasanavalli.

Timings

7.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Entry Fee

No Entry Fee

  1. Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple or Thirukoodalur (locally called Aduthurai Perumal Temple) in Vadakara Aduthurai, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
  2. It is the 8th divya desam which is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Jakath Rakshaka and his consort Lakshmi as Padmasanavalli. 
  3. Thirukoodalur Divyadesam is mentioned in both Brahmanda Purana and Padma Puranam. 
  4. The presiding deity here in Thirukoodalur is Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal – Perumal Who preserves the whole Universe and also worshipped as Uyyandavar and Jagath Rakshagan. 
  5. This is one of the Purana Sthalam and also Prarthana Sthalam. 
  6. The temple is the Sangama Kshetram.


Puranic Significance 1:


  1. As per Hindu mythology, demon Hiranyaksha fought with mother earth and went underground, called Patala. 
  2. Vishnu was born as Varaha, an avatar in the form of a boar pierced underground. 
  3. He split the earth into two parts and brought the two back to Srimushnam. 
  4. Thirumangai Azhwar quotes the incident and calls the village as Pugunthaan Oor, meaning the place where Vishnu went inside the earth. 
  5. Since Vishnu protected the world here, he is called Jagath Rakshaka Perumal (in Tamil as Vaiyam Katha Perumal). 
  6. 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. 
  7. Since it brought all of them together, an act referred in Tamil as koodal, the village is called Thirukoodalur.


Puranic Significance 2(Ambrisha Varadhar):


  1. As per Hindu legend, King Ambarisha who immersed himself in the worship of Vishnu, failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. 
  2. While doing worship, he also did not observe the sage Durvasa who went along his way. 
  3. The sage got irritated and cursed the king. 
  4. The king went to Vishnu for rescue, who sent his discus(Chakra) to chase the sage. The sage surrendered to Vishnu and begged pardon. 
  5. The king Ambarishan is believed to have built the temple and hence the presiding deity is also called Ambarisha Varadhar at this place.


Puranic Significance 3:


  1. Once upon a time, all the Devas along with Nandhaga Rishi prayed for a dharshan to Lord Vishnu at Thirukoodalur – Sri Aduthurai Perumal Temple. 
  2. Impressed with their Poojas, the Lord appeared before them and gave a splendid Darshan. 
  3. Everybody requested that the Lord kill the Asura Hiranyaksha.
  4. Lord Vishnu was very happy with their Poojas and decided to kill the Asura Hiranyaksha. Lord Vishnu cut open the earth, killed the Asura and reappeared, with Goddess Lakshmi, as Varaaha Moorthy (one of the 10 Avatharams of Maha Vishnu) at SriMushnam.
  5. As all of the Lords and Devas came together at Thirukoodalur – Sri Aduthurai Perumal Temple and prayed to the Lord requesting for protection, this place has come to be called Koodalur (where people come together). 
  6. The Lord who protected the village from the Asura was named as JagathRakshakan meaning “One who protects the World”.


Puranic Significance 4:



  1. According to another story, river Cauvery, which used to wash away the sins of all other rivers, once wished to cleanse herself. 
  2. She is said to have worshipped Lord Vishnu here and was cleared of her sins. 
  3. A parrot living in this temple complex used to pick a blackberry (Naval fruit) from a tree and place it at the feet of the Lord chanting Hari Hari.  
  4. One day, when it was bringing the fruit, a hunter shot it down, and the bird fell, chanting Hari Hari.  
  5. Hearing the parrot chanting the name of Lord, the hunter was scared and ran away from the place.  
  6. Lord Vishnu gave darshan to the parrot and reminded of its past birth as a scholar but a pedant and that it was cursed to be born a bird and that it remembered His name chanting it forever. 
  7. Lord relieved the parrot of its curse.  
  8. The message of the story is that salvation is open to those placing themselves at the feet of Lord chanting His glorious name.
  9. Thus, true to his name, the Lord here remains as the saviour of the world and all forms of life and hence is also known as Vaiyam Katha Perumal, the Tamil equivalent of Jagath Rakshaka Perumal.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to the Temple.
  2. Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  3. Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  4. Take a bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  5. Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  6. Do maintain silence and recite your Ishta Mantra to yourself inside the temple.
  7. Do observe ancient customs and traditions while in Temple.
  8. Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  9. Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.


  1. Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping God and Goddess.
  2. Do not smoke at Temple.
  3. Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  4. Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  5. Do not approach mediators for quick Darshan. It may cause inconvenience to others.
  6. Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  7. Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  8. Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  9. Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  10. Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  11. Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.


Dress Code

  1. Both men and women should ideally cover their shoulders and knees.
  2. Dress in clean and neat clothing.
  3. Remove your footwear before entering the temple.


How to reach

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By Road:

  1. This temple is on the northern side of the Kaveri river. The temple is on the bus route between Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru.
  2. The temple is about 6 KM from Ayyampet, 12 KM from Papanasam, 24 KM from Kumbakonam, 12 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, and 22 KM from Thanjavur.


By Train:

  1. Take a train from Chennai to Kumbakonam. 
  2. There are several trains available, including express and passenger trains.
  3. Once you reach the kumbakonam railway station, the temple is 23 km from the railway station.
  4. From Kumbakonam, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Thirukoodalur.


By Air:

To reach the Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple in Thirukoodalur, Thanjavur by air, the nearest airport is in Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) which is 83 km from the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers Near Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple:



Kaveri River (Cauvery River): The temple is located near the banks of the Kaveri River, one of the major rivers in Tamil Nadu. This river is highly revered in South India and is significant for its historical, cultural, and religious importance.



Nearby Cities:


  1. Thanjavur: Approximately 45 kilometres away, Thanjavur is the nearest major city. It is well-known for the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  2. Kumbakonam: About 12 kilometres from Thirukoodalur, Kumbakonam is another significant town known for its numerous temples, especially the Sarangapani Temple and the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
  3. Tiruchirappalli (Trichy): Located around 90 kilometres from the temple, Trichy is a prominent city known for the Rockfort Temple, Srirangam Temple, and its rich cultural heritage.
  4. Mayiladuthurai: Approximately 25 kilometres away, this town is known for the Mayuranathaswami Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.