Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple , Thirupper Nagar (Koviladi)
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📍 Thirupper Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
National SignificanceThe 6th Divya Desam at Koviladi near Kallanai is the sacred sanctum where Lord Vishnu reclines holding a pot of sweet Appam and where Nammazhwar sang his final song before attaining Moksha.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Sri Appakkudathaan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Moolavar: Sri Appakkudathaan / Appala Ranganathan (Kidantha Kolam / Reclining on Adisesha facing West holding pot of Appam); Utsavar: Appala Ranganathan; Thayar: Kamalavalli (Indira Devi) Thayar; Vimanam: Indra Vimanam; Theertham: Indra Theertham, Cauvery; Pratyaksham: King Upamanyu, Sage Parasara, Lord Indra.
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Appakkudathaan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Main Road, Koviladi Village, Budalur Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 613105, India
Spiritual Highlights
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Offering freshly made ghee appams in brass pots to the deity during evening worship.
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About Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple , Thirupper Nagar (Koviladi)
Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple, located at Thirupper Nagar (Koviladi) near the Grand Anicut (Kallanai) in Thanjavur/Tiruchirappalli border, Tamil Nadu, is the 6th Divya Desam. Revered as Koviladi (meaning "gateway or footprint to Srirangam"), it is praised by four great Alvars—Periyalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar, and Nammazhwar—in 33 sacred pasurams.
The sthala is renowned for two immortal legends. First, King Upamanyu of the Chola realm was cursed by Sage Durvasa to lose his kingdom and prowess. Seeking redemption, the king fed thousands of brahmins daily. Lord Vishnu appeared before him disguised as an aged sage with an insatiable hunger, consuming all feast items and asking for a pot of sweet fried ghee rice-cakes (Appam). When the king lovingly offered the full pot of Appam, the Lord was immensely pleased, revealed His cosmic form, held the pot in His right hand, and blessed Upamanyu with liberation. To this day, the Moolavar reclines clutching the Appa Kudam in His hand, and fresh Appam is offered daily as naivedyam.
Second, this is the paramount Nammazhwar Moksha Sthalam: after composing thousands of hymns across Bharat, Nammazhwar sang his last verse (Thiruvaimozhi 10.8) addressed to Appakkudathaan before physically merging with the Divine in Vaikuntham.
Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian Architecture (Epigraphs of Aditya Chola I and Rajaraja Chola I (late 9th to 11th century CE))
Elevated mound reached via 18 stone steps, Indra Vimanam, Indra Theertham, location adjacent to the Kaveri-Kollidam bifurcation near Kallanai.
Ancient stone relief depicting King Ubharichara receiving the vessel of appam from Vishnu.
Rituals & Traditions
Four daily pujas per Vaikanasa Agama; daily Naivedyam includes appam prepared in the temple kitchen.
Annual Panguni Uthiram festival and formal chanting of Nammalvar's concluding decad on Vaikunta Ekadashi.
Ney-Appam (Ghee appam), Puliyodarai, Chakkarai Pongal.
Visitor Guidelines
Traditional temple attire: Dhoti/Kurta for men; Saree/Churidhar with Dupatta for women.
Built on an elevated river-bund mound requiring climbing approximately 18 stone steps with supportive handrails.
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Appakkudathaan (Bhujanga Sayanam)
Kamalavalli (Indira Devi) Thayar Sannidhi, Nammazhwar Moksha Shrine (Memorial Sthalam), Thirumangai Alvar Sannidhi, Sri Ramanujar Sannidhi, Garudazhwar Sannidhi, Pillai Lokacharya Sannidhi
Main Road, Koviladi Village, Budalur Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 613105, India
How to Reach
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) (approx 25 km)
Budalur Railway Station (BAL) (approx 11 km)
Koviladi Bus Stop (approx 0.2 km)
