Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located near the holy city of Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India.
The temple
The temple is located in the interior of Karaikal near Kollumangudi. It is located 2 km away from Kollumangudi. Kollumangudi is 40 km away from Kumbakonam and 10km from Karaikal. It is also the junction of the Mayavaram – Tiruvarur high road.
Transport
Thiruchirupuliyur is situated within 4km very near to Kollumangudi en route to karaikal via Nedungadu. There are motorable roads and hired vehicles also available from Kollumangudi.
The Deity
The bus from Kumbakonam takes an hour to reach Kollumangudi. Mayavaram will be an easy point to start with.
As per Lord Siva’s directive, the sage Vyagrapadar (Pulikkal Munivar) came to Chirupuliyur and did penance here praying to Lord Narayana to grant him eternal bliss. The Lord obliged and the place was named after the sage (Pulikkaal Munivar) as Chirupuliyur.
The idol of Sage Vyagrapadar is found along with that of Kanvar in the sanctum sanctorum All episodes connected with this place are found in the fourth chapter of the Brahmanda Puranam. Saint Thirumangai Azhwar’s visit to Chirupuliyur was not incident-free. He was not satisfied with the Lord’s image of “Balasayanam” and requested Him to show His gigantic pose. The Lord asked the saint to go to Thirukkannamangai to witness his Viswaroopam, according to preceptors. The Lord at Chirupuliyur is also known by the saint in his Periya Thirumozhi verse.
The Lord’s Sanskrit name is Kripasamudra Perumal. He is also known as “Saranagatha Rakshaka Perumal,” by which name the preceptors have addressed Lord Aamaruviyappan in Therazhundur.
Darshan
The temple was in a dilapidated condition till recently and renovation work have begun since March 2009. There is an archaka residing nearby the temple now a days, therefore, during the usual praying hours, it is possible to have a very good dharshan of the the Moolavar deity in the balasayam posture.
