Sri Aandalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple, ThiruAadhanoor
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📍 Thiru Aadhanoor, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
National SignificanceThe 12th Divya Desam at Thiru Aadhanoor features the Lord reclining with a Marakkal (measuring vessel) and palm stylus, testing devotion and measuring the lifespan and spiritual karma of all living beings.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Moolavar: Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan (Kidantha Kolam / Reclining facing East on Adisesha with Marakkal measuring vessel as pillow and Ezhuthani palm-leaf stylus in hand); Utsavar: Aandu Alakkum Ayan; Thayar: Ranganayaki (Kamalasani) Thayar; Vimanam: Pranava Vimanam; Theertham: Surya Pushkarini; Pratyaksham: Kamadhenu, Brahma, Bhrigu, Thirumangai Alvar.
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Olaipadi Road, Adhanur Village, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 612301, India
Spiritual Highlights
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Offering grains (paddy/rice) into the marakkal measure to pray for agricultural abundance and debt relief.
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About Sri Aandalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple, ThiruAadhanoor
Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan Perumal Temple at Thiru Aadhanoor, near Swamimalai in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, is the 12th Divya Desam praised by Thirumangai Alvar. The name Aadhanoor is derived from Aa (the divine cow Kamadhenu) and Dhan (giving), signifying the place where Kamadhenu performed penance and attained the Lord's eternal grace.
The sanctum sanctorum displays an iconography found nowhere else in the 108 Divya Desams: Lord Vishnu reclines on Adisesha holding a traditional grain-measuring vessel (Marakkal) beneath His head as a pillow, while His left hand holds a palm-leaf writing stylus (Ezhuthani). Next to His head stands the celestial cow Kamadhenu along with her calf, perpetually offering milk and adoration.
According to legend, when Thirumangai Alvar was constructing the massive fortification walls of Srirangam, he ran out of funds to pay the stonemasons and sculptors. Lord Vishnu manifested here as a wealthy merchant, offering to pay the artisans using sand from the Kollidam river measured in His Marakkal. He declared that for sincere, truthful workers the sand would miraculously transform into solid gold, while for negligent workers it would remain ordinary sand! The temple reminds devotees that the Lord keeps an exact divine ledger measuring everyone's righteous deeds and karma.
Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian Architecture (Chola era stone construction with Vijayanagara renovations)
Pranava Vimanam, stone reliefs of Kamadhenu and her daughter Nandini carved beside the sanctum, Surya Theertham.
Stone measuring vessel (marakkal) and stylus carved beside the reclining deity.
Rituals & Traditions
Three daily pujas per Vaikanasa tradition; special dhanurmasa pujas during Margazhi.
Vaikunta Ekadashi festival with reading of accounting scrolls (Kanakkukettu) before the deity.
Ven Pongal, Puliyodarai, Thulasi theertham.
Visitor Guidelines
Traditional clothing: Dhoti/Kurta for men; Saree or Chudidhar with Dupatta for women.
Single floor village temple with flat paved access through the gopuram; very convenient for senior citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Aandu Alakkum Ayan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Ranganayaki (Kamalasani) Thayar Sannidhi, Kamadhenu with Calf (Inside the Garbhagriha), Thirumangai Alvar Sannidhi, Chakrathazhwar Sannidhi, Sri Ramanuja Sannidhi, Garudazhwar Sannidhi, Alvars Sannidhi
Olaipadi Road, Adhanur Village, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 612301, India
How to Reach
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) (approx 86 km)
Swamimalai Railway Station (SWI) (approx 5 km)
Aadhanoor Bus Stop (approx 0.3 km)
