The TIRUPPER NAGAR (Koviladi Appakkudathaan)
is located closer to Trichy in Tamil Nadu and about 10 km from Lalgudi by road.
This place is also called Indragiri, Palaasavanam. This kshetram, together with
Srirangapatnam in Karnataka, Srirangam, Kumbakonam, and Mayiladuthurai along
the course of the river Kaveri, are called Pancharanga Kshetrams.
This temple is situated on a small hillock,
named Indragiri and is easily accessible. The presiding deity is Appakkudathaan
in a reclining posture holding a pot in one hand and the Goddess Indra Devi also
called Kamalavalli, The sacred water is Indra theertham and the sanctum sanctorum
is Indra Vimanam.
Legend
has it that Lord Vishnu blessed Markandeya Rishi and Uparisaravasar at this
kshetram. According to the sthala purana, the pandyan king Uparisaravasar while
hunting a rogue elephant by mistake killed a Brahmin performing tapas on the banks
of the river. Repenting for his act, the king renounced his throne and wandered
around, finally reaching Tirupper Nagar.
One
day Lord Siva appeared before the king and asked him to worship Lord Vishnu at
this kshetram to get rid of the Brahmahati Dosham. There upon the king built a temple
for Lord Vishnu and each day after worship offered food together with appam,
and payasam, to the Brahmins who came to his house
One
day Lord Vishnu came to the King’s house disguised as a poor Brahmin and
informed that he is tired and hungry and needed food. The king requested the
Brahmin to wait till the other Brahmins also assembled. But He conveyed to the
king that He is too hungry and cannot wait. Thereupon, the king agreed to serve
Him food. But to the surprise of the king the Brahmin ate all the food, and
wanted some more. The king requested Him
to take rest and went in to cook some more. At that Markandeya Rishi, who was
informed by Siva to seek refuge in Lord Vishnu for longevity of life, was
directed to the king's place to worship Lord Vishnu taking rest as an old
Brahmin.
Accordingly,
the rishi went to the king’s house where he saw the old Brahmin lying on the couch
holding an appa kudam in one hand. Markandeya approached the Brahmin and bowed
100 times. Lord Vishnu regaining His original form lifted his hand from appa
kudam and blessed Markandeya with longevity of life. He also blessed the king
to get rid of the Dosham
We
find moolavar in the reclining posture in the temple holding appakudam and
blessing Markandeya. Since Markandeya got his longevity of life the tank in
this kshetram is called Mruthyu vinasini theertham. Appam is offered in this
temple to the Lord, every night.
It
is believed that Nammaazhwar attained moksham at this place and his last
compositions were about this place and the Lord.
Inscriptions
of service to this temple by Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties are found in the
temple. Vaikunta Ekadasi and the annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month
panguni are being celebrated with “Aaaru Kaala Poojai” being performed daily.
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