Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - Andalakum Aiyan Temple

• Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - Greatness:

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Andalakum Aiyan and Sri Ranganayaki in Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam.

• Divya Desam: Thiru Aadanur is a Divya Desam whose hymn was sung by Thirumangai Alvar. It is the 11th Divya Desam and is located in Chola Nadu.
- Perumal is in Bhujanga Sayana posture facing East.
- Pratyaksham: Kamadhenu, Thirumangai Alvar
- Mangalasasanam: Thirumangai Alvar (1 Pasuram)
- Vimanam: Pranava Vimanam
- Pushkarini: Surya Pushkarini
- Sthala Vriksham: Punnai, Patali

• Bhargava Kshetram: Since Devi Lakshmi incarnated here as the daughter of sage Bhargava, this place is also known as Bhargava Kshetram.

• The name Aadanur: "Aa" in Tamil means Cow, "Than" means Its and "Oor" means Place. So Aadanur means "Place of a Cow" since Kamadhenu worshipped Lord Vishnu here.

• Deeds & Grace:

1. Lord Vishnu & Marakkal: Lord having Marakkal: The head of the Lord here is seen resting on a Marakkal or bushel which is a measuring vessel. The Marakkal signifies that the Lord is the creator who measures time and space (as well as the destiny of individuals). The name of the Perumal is Andu Alakkum Ayyan which literally means the one who measures the time and the world.

2. Lord Vishnu & Kamadhenu: Kamadhenu performing penance: Once Kamadhenu was filled with pride because she emerged before Devi Lakshmi during the Samudra Manthana (Churning of the Ocean). When she told this to Lord Vishnu, he proposed to measure their aishwarya (divinity) with the Marakkal. Kamadhenu deposited her aishwarya in the Marakkal but could not fill it. Devi Lakshmi then simply placed a Tulasi leaf in the Marakkal by offering sincere prayers. This not only filled the Marakkal but made it overflow with the aishwarya. Kamadhenu was repentant and performed penance here seeking forgiveness. The Lord appeared before Kamadhenu and blessed her.

3. Devi Lakshmi & sage Bhargava: Devi Lakshmi incarnating as Bhargavi: Once Indra was moving in the celestial regions on his celestial elephant Airavata. He met sage Durvasha on the way. Sage Durvasha gave him a garland which he had received from the goddess. However, Indra did not accept the garland with due reverence. He took it and put it around the head of the elephant. The elephant pulled the garland down and trampled it with its leg. Sage Durvasha flew in rage and cursed Indra that he will lose his kingdom and wealth. Indra realised his mistake and fervently prayed to Perumal and Thayar to redeem him from the curse. Devi Lakshmi told him to go to Aadanur and pray to her in that place. In due time she will incarnate as the daughter of sage Bhargava, and subsequently Perumal will descend there to marry her. Only after that he will be redeemed of his sins. In the meantime sage Bhargava was performing penanace at Aadanur. He found a female child near the temple tank and brought her up as his own daughter. Hence she is known as Bhargavi.

4. Lord Vishnu & Devi Lakshmi: Lord Vishnu marrying Devi Lakshmi: Lord Vishnu appeared here and married Devi Lakshmi in this place (who had incarnated as Bhargavi).

5. Devi Lakshmi & Indra: Indra deva getting relieved of curse: Indra deva was relieved of the curse of sage Durvasha here by the grace of Devi Lakshmi and got back his lost kingdom.

6. Lord Vishnu & Agni: Agni deva getting relieved of curse: Once Agni deva was afflicted with dosha (impurity) due to taking part in a yagna of Brahma (who in turn was afflicted with a dosha). Agni deva worshipped the Lord in this place and got rid of his dosha. So this place is known as Agni Sapa Vimochana Sthalam.

7. Lord Vishnu & Adisesha: Lord performing samasrayam of Adisesha: Once Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntha and came to this place. Devi Lakshmi sent Adisesha in search of the Lord. Adisesha met the Lord here. Lord Vishnu verified the identity of Adisesha and performed the samasrayam with Sankha and Chakra marks.
• Image of Adisesha: The Image of Adisesha has Shankha and Chakra marks inside the hood.

8. Lord Vishnu & Thirumangai Alvar: Lord giving gold to Thirumangai Alvar to carry out his divine services: Thirumangai Alvar was resting tired after renovating the temple of Srirangam. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and told him to go to the banks of river Kollidam the next day where a person will confer wealth to him. Next day Thirumangai Alvar saw a person with Marakkal (bushel) in hand (who was Perumal himself) who was distributing mud. When Thirumangai Alvar received the mud it became gold, while when other onlookers received it, it remained mud. The others tried to attack the person and Thirumangai Alvar tried to save him with his sword.
• Image of Thirumangai Alvar: The Image of Thirumangai Alvar in this temple is within the garbagriha itself (sanctum sanctorum) which is unique. The image is brandishing a sword which relates to this incident.

• Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - Sacred Geography:

• Surya Pushkarini: Pushkarini of the temple.

• Punnai Tree: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.
• Patali Tree: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.

• Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - To See:

1. Image of Perumal: The Image of Sri Andalakum Aiyan in Bhujanga Sayana posture facing east with his head resting on the Marakkal.

2. Image of Thayar: The Image of Sri Kamalavasini (or Bhargavi). The utsavar is known as Ranganayaki.

3. Image of Adisesha: The Image of Sri Adisesha with Shankha and Chakra marks inside the hood.

4. Picture of Kamadhenu: Picture of Kamadhenu and calf Nandini inside the garbagriha.

5. Picture of Agni deva: Picture of Agni deva inside the garbagriha.

6. Image of Thirumangai Alvar: Image of Sri Thirumangai Alvar in the garbagriha with sword in hand.

7. Vimana of the temple: The Vimana of the temple known as Pranava Vimana.

8. Pushkarini of the temple: The Pushkarini of the temple known as Surya Pushkarini.

9. Sthala Vrikshas of the temple: The Sthala Vrikshas of the temple which are the Punnai and Patali Trees.

• Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - Location:

• Thiru Aadanur is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It can be visited from Kumbakonam. The temple is located around 5 km from Swamimalai (via Swamimalai Road). Swamimalai is around 7 km from Kumbakonam (via Swamimalai Road).

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