Sri Ulagalandha Perumal Temple
The name of this temple stands for Ulagai Alandha Perumal, after the Giant
Vaamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu said to have scaled the Earth and Universe
in two steps. To Subdue MAHABALI the Demon king, LORD VISHNU manifested
as VAMANA (meaning DWARF) and requested the King three feet space in the
world. Mahabali offered the same not knowing that the Dwarf was Lord VISHNU.
Immediately Lord Vishnu took on an enormous form (VISWARUPAM) and measured
the Earth and Heavens with one step each. Not finding place for His third
step, He placed His foot on King Mahabali's head and pushed the King to
netherworld. The main deity of this temple is 35 feet high and 24 feet
wide posing with one foot on earth and the other on the sky. This form
is called Trivikrama.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu. Subshrines of this temple namely Tiruneerakam, Tirukarakam, and Kaarvaanam are Divya Desam's as well. This is a small temple near the Kamakshi Amman Temple. Inscriptions in the Temple depict that it was built in the Chola period. Further history of this temple is not clearly known. It is not very rich in sculptures, either. The magnificent deity of Sri Ulagalandha Perumal is the main attraction in this temple. |