Koviladi Appakkudathar Temple is one of the Pancha Rangam (5 Rangams in the banks of river Cauveri), ranks next to Srirangam temple. Koviladi which is known as Thiruppernagar in ancient times is a village situated in 16 kms from Tiruchirapalli city. The temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu and is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam Temples.
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Appakkudathaar. He is also called as “Appalaa Ranganathar”. Moolavar is in Kidantha Kolam or bhujanga sayanam - reclining posture is facing west. He is seen holding a holy pot in his right hand. The Thayaar of this Sthalam is Indira Devi. Also called as “Kamala Valli”. Appakkudathaar Perumal Temple has inscriptions from 8th century during the reign of Aditya Chola.
Legend says, the king Upamanyu earned the wrath of sage Durvasar and lost all his physical strength. To get rid of the curse, he was asked to feed one lakh people everyday. One day, Hindu god Vishnu disguised himself as an old man, appeared before the king and asked for a meal. The king went on donating and the old man consumed all the food prepared for all the people. The king was shocked and bewildered at this strange act. The old man asked for a kudam (pot) of Neyyaappam (a sweetmeat), stating that only it can fulfil his hunger. The king fulfilled the wish and later realised that it was Vishnu who had appeared as the old man. The king was relieved of the sage’s curse by the blessings of Vishnu. Because of this legend, Vishnu is called “Appakkudathaar” as he received the pot of Appam from king Upamanyu. Appam is prepared every day and filled in the pot as nivedhana to God in this temple.
The place is called “Koviladi” because it is located downstream of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The azhwars refer the place as “Tiruppernagar” in Nalayira Divya Prabandam.
Ther thiruvizha or the car festival on the Uthiram star day of the Tamil month of Panguni, Vaikunda Ekadasi around December/January, the Uriadi festivals are the important festivals in this temple.
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