This place is also worshipped as Indragiri and Palaasavanam. The Presiding Deity is Appamkudatthaan in HIS Reclining Posture Holding a Pot in one Hand. Thayar is blessing Indhra Devi and also as Kamalavalli Thayar. The Tempe Pushkarini is Indhira Theertham and the Vimanam is being worshipped as Indhra Vimanam. Almighty gave prathyaksham to Markandeya Mahirishi and Uparisaravasar here. Koviladi Appakudathaan Ranganathar Temple is one of the 7 temples referred by Thirumazhisai Azhavaar of Lord Vishnu in Reclining Posture, The remaining temples are Srirangam, Thiru Kudanthai Sarangapani, Thiru Anbil Vadivazhagiya Nambi, Thiruvallur Bhakthavatsalan, ThiruVekka Yathothkari and Thiru Paarkadal Ksheerapthinathan. Thirumangai Alwar was so enticed by this Lord that he says he could not forget Lord in Koviladi AppaKudathaan even when he went all the way to Thiruvellarai and worshipped Pundareekaksha Perumal. According to the sthala purnam, one of the the Pandiya Kings Uparisaravasar while hunting a rogue elephant by mistake killed a Brahmin who was performing tapas on the banks of the river and got affected with Brahmahathi Dhosham ( A Sin of Killing a Brahmin ). Repenting for his act, the king renounced his throne and wandered around and finally reached Thirupper Nagar. One day Lord Siva appeared before the king and asked him to worship Lord Maha Vishnu here in this Kshetram to get rid of his Brahmahatthi Dhosham. There upon the king built a temple for the Almighty and every day after the poojas he offered food together with Appam and Payasam. One fine day Almighty came to king’s place disguised as a Brahmin and requested the king for the food.
Lord Maha Vishnu and Markandeya Mahirishi- The king was surprised but he requested that Old Brahmin to wait till the other Brahmins also assembled. But that old Brahmin man conveyed to the king that he is feeling too hungry and cannot wait further. There upon, the king agreed to serve him the food. But to the big surprise to every on ethere in the temple premise, the Brahmin ate all the food, and wanted some more. The king requested him to take rest and went in to make some more. At that time Markandeya Mahirishi, who was informed by Lord Siva to seek refuge in Lord Vishnu for longevity of life, was directed to the King”s place to worship Lord Maha Vishnu taking rest as an old Brahmin Man. Accordingly Mahirishi went to the king’s place and saw an old Brahmin lying on the couch holding an Appa Kudam in one hand. Markandeyar bowed the Almighty 100 times. |
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Lord Vishnu regaining his original form lifted his hand from the "Appa Kudam" and blessed Markandeyar with longevity of life. He also blessed the king to get rid of his brahmahathi dhosham. Devotees can worship Moolavar in HIS Reclining Posture Holding Appakkudam. Since Markandeya got his longevity of life the temple tank is known as Mruthyu Vinasini Theertham. Nammazhvar attained Moksham in Koviladi - Nammazhvaar hymned his last Paasurams about Appaala Rangan before attaining Moksham. The only Divyadesam where Appam is the Naivethyam. Utsavar is also being worshipped in the same name as Appala Rangan. Thayar is being worshipped as Indhra Devi and Kamalavalli. Koviladi is praised by Periyaazhwar with 33 Pasurams, Thirumangai Azhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Nammaazhwar
Koviladi Divyadesam is one of the Pancha Ranga Kshetrams. The remaining four temples are Aadhi Rangam - Srirangapatnam in Karnataka, Madhya Rangam - Srirangam in Trichy, Chathurthara Rangam - Thirukkudanthai Sarangapani in Kumbakonam and Pancha Rangam - Indhalur in sMayiladuthurai. Among the Pancha Ranga Kshetras Koviladi is the only temple where Appam as Naivethyam.
Nammalwar who attained Paramapatham here and his last pasurams were about Thirupper Nagar - Koviladi Appankudathan Temple. |
