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Sri Purushothama Perumal Temple

The Purushothama Perumal Temple, situated in Thirunangur on the outskirts of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Built in the Dravidian architectural style, this temple is renowned for its glorification in the Divya Prabandha, the early mediaeval Tamil canon composed by the Azhwar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. As one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Vishnu, the temple features Vishnu worshipped as Purushottaman and his consort Lakshmi as Purushottama Nayagi.

Timings

Morning : 8.00 AM to 10.00 AM & Evening : 5.00 PM to 7.00 PM

Entry Fee

No entry fee is charged

The history of the Purushothama Perumal Temple is rooted in a remarkable legend. Similar to the story of Mother Parvathi feeding the Saivite child saint Tirugnana Sambandar with wisdom milk, this temple has its own divine tale. According to tradition, Lord Perumal, known as Sirkali Van Purushothaman, performed a miracle to feed a hungry child. Sage Vyaghrapada brought his child, Upamanyu, to the temple and placed him at the entrance while he went to gather flowers for the Lord. As the child cried out for food, the Lord, reclining in the milk ocean, heard his cries. In response, Lord Perumal manifested a milk ocean at the temple, and Mother Purushottama Nayaki nourished the child with the milk from this divine ocean. Devotees revere Lord Perumal as a form of Lord Sri Rama.


Sthala Puranam:



The name ThiruVann Purushothaman derives from the significance of the deity of this temple, who bestowed the Thirupaarkadal (the Milk Ocean) and is revered as Purushothaman, embodying the greatest qualities of humanity, alongside his consort Purushothama Naayaki (Periya Piratti).

In recognition of Lord Narayana's generous gift of the Thirupaarkadal to the sage Upamanyu, the sacred water here is known as Thirupaarkadal Theertham.

The temple's vimana is named Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimaanam to commemorate the Sanjeevi Mooligai (herb) that saved Lord Rama, symbolising the divine connection.

The term Purushothamam signifies the supreme being among devotees (Bhaktas), those who have attained liberation (Muktas), the righteous (Nitheyas), and humanity (Purushas), representing the eternal soul in communion with the divine.

The Utsavar Purushothaman at this temple is renowned for his extraordinary beauty, captivating the hearts and minds of all who behold him.


Prominence of the Shrine:


The Purushothama Perumal Temple ranks 30th among the 108 Divya Desas dedicated to Vishnu. In this temple, Lord Purushothaman is depicted in a standing posture facing east, while Mother Purushothama Nayaki blesses devotees from her shrine on the southwest side of the temple in a seated position. The inner prakara houses shrines for Sri Andal, Lord Rama with Mother Sita and Sri Lakshmana, Sri Anjaneya, Nammazhwar, Udayavar Sri Ramanuja, and Senai Mudaliar. Notably, the temple features three shrines dedicated to Anjaneyar. In the Sri Rama shrine, Anjaneyar is portrayed in a worshipping pose with folded hands and a closed mouth. This temple is also known as Van Purudothamam or Van Purushothama.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata: Before embarking on a pilgrimage to the temple, offer prayers to your personal deity (Ishta Devata) for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.
  2. Seek Information: Contact the temple's Devasthanam information centre for inquiries about the temple, including details about poojas, rituals, and timings to plan your visit effectively.
  3. Plan and Reserve: Make sure to reserve your travel and accommodation well in advance to avoid any last-minute inconveniences during your temple visit.
  4. Cleanliness: Take a bath and wear clean clothes before entering the temple to maintain the sanctity of the holy place.
  5. Focus on the Divine: Once inside the temple, focus your thoughts on the deities and offer your prayers with full devotion and concentration.
  6. Maintain Silence: Observe silence and recite your personal mantra (Istamantram) quietly to yourself, creating a peaceful and respectful atmosphere.
  7. Respect Traditions: Follow the ancient customs and traditions of the temple, showing respect for the religious practices and sentiments of others.
  8. Offerings: Deposit your offerings in the designated hundi (offering box) only, ensuring that your contributions go directly to the temple.
  1. Purpose of Visit: Do not visit the temple for any purpose other than worship; the temple is a place for spiritual connection, not for personal or commercial activities.
  2. Smoking and Alcohol: Refrain from smoking or consuming alcoholic drinks within the temple premises, as it is a sacred space.
  3. Dietary Restrictions: Avoid eating non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram (temple area) to respect the dietary customs of the temple.
  4. Avoid Mediators: Do not approach mediators for a quicker darshan (viewing of the deity), as it may cause inconvenience to other devotees.
  5. Weapons: Do not carry weapons inside the temple, as it is a place of peace and non-violence.
  6. Headgear: Do not wear any headgear like helmets, caps, turbans, or hats inside the temple premises, as it is a sign of respect to remove them.
  7. Pranama in Sanctum: Avoid performing Sastanga Pranama (prostration) inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, as it may disrupt the flow of devotees.
  8. Sparsa Darshanam: Do not take too much time during Sparsha Darshanam (touching the deity) in the Garbhagriha (inner sanctum), allowing others to have their turn.
  9. Prasadam: Avoid purchasing prasadam’s (sacred offerings) from street vendors, as they may be of questionable authenticity.
  10. Beggars: Do not encourage begging within the temple premises to maintain its sanctity and order.
  11. Cleanliness: Refrain from spitting or creating any nuisance within the temple premises, ensuring that the holy space remains clean and serene.

Dress Code

For Men: Men should wear traditional attire such as a dhoti or veshti, and a shirt or angavastram (upper cloth). Avoid wearing Western-style clothing like jeans and shorts inside the temple premises.

For Women : Women are expected to wear sarees, salwar kameez, or other modest traditional clothing. Avoid wearing revealing or Western-style outfits such as skirts, dresses, or pants within the temple.

How to reach

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By Air: The closest airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, situated 185 km from the town.

By Rail: A daily express train connects major cities to Chennai via Mayiladuthurai, and to Ernakulam via Coimbatore. The nearest railway station is Sirkazhi.

By Road: Buses from Sirkazhi to Poompuhar stop at Mangaimadam, and Thirunangur is just 3 kilometres away, with ample transportation options available. Sirkazhi New Bus Terminal is the nearest to the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

  1. Kaveri River: One of the major rivers in Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri flows relatively close to Thirunangur, providing water and fertility to the region.


Cities:

  1. Sirkazhi: The nearest significant town to Thirunangur, Sirkazhi is a prominent urban centre in the region known for its historical temples and cultural heritage.
  2. Tiruchirappalli (Trichy): Located further southwest, Tiruchirappalli is a major city in Tamil Nadu and a significant administrative and educational hub. It is well-connected to Thirunangur by road and serves as a gateway to the temple.
  3. Chidambaram: Situated to the southeast, Chidambaram is another important city known for its famous Nataraja Temple and is relatively close to Thirunangur.