Thiru Aadanur Divya Desam - Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple

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

• Greatness: Thiru Aadanur is a Divya Desam. It is the 11th Divya Desam and is located in Chola Nadu. The kshetra is also known as Bhargava Kshetram since Devi Lakshmi incarnated here as the daughter of sage Bhargava. Another name of the kshetra is Agni Shapa Vimochana Sthalam since Agni deva got rid of his shapa here.
- 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

• Puranic Events:

1. Lord Vishnu & 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.
- Note: There is a Marakkal placed under the head of the Moolavar Image in the garbhagriha. There are also two holy pillars inside the garbhagriha known as Thirumana Thoon which symbolically acts as our support during our devotional journey. The Thirumana Thoon is found only in Srirangam and Thiru Aadanur.

2. Lord Vishnu & Kamadhenu: Kamadhenu performed penance in this place and got the darshan of the Lord.
- Events: 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.
- Note: The Kshetra name is associated with this event. Thiru Aadanur is derived from Thiru (Divine) + Aa (Cow) + Than (Its) + Oor (Place). Since this is the divine place of a cow, hence the place is known as Thiru Aadanur. There is an Image of Kamadhenu along with calf Nandini engraved on the wall of the garbhagriha.

3. Devi Lakshmi & Indra deva: Indra deva worshipped the Devi here and got relieved of the curse of sage Durvasa.
- Events: Once Indra was moving in the celestial regions on his celestial elephant Airavata. He met sage Durvasa on the way. Sage Durvasa 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 Durvasa 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. Indra deva came to this place and worshipped Devi Lakshmi. Subsequently, Indra deva was relieved of the curse of sage Durvasa here by the grace of Devi Lakshmi and got back his lost kingdom.

4. Devi Lakshmi & sage Bhargava: Sage Bhargava performed penance here. Devi Lakshmi incarnated as his daughter Bhargavi.
- Events: Sage Bhargava was performing penance at Aadanur. One day he found a beautiful female child near the temple tank who was shining with glory. He took the child and brought her up as his own daughter. Since she is the foster-child of sage Bhargava, she came to be known as Bhargavi.
- Note: The Kshetra name is associated with this event. Since Devi Lakshmi incarnated as the adopted daughter of sage Bhargava, the place is known as Bhargava Kshetram. The Image of Sri Bhargavi (or Kamalavasini) is in the Thayar shrine. (The Utsavar Image is known as Ranganayaki).

5. Lord Vishnu & Devi Lakshmi: Lord Vishnu appeared here and married Devi Lakshmi in this place (who had incarnated as Bhargavi). Hence Perumal became the son-in-law of sage Bhargava.

6. Lord Vishnu & sage Bhargava: Since Perumal married Devi Lakshmi in this place (who had incarnated as Bhargavi), hence Perumal became the son-in-law of sage Bhargava.

7. Lord Vishnu & Agni deva: Agni deva worshipped the Lord here and was relieved of his dosha.
- Events: 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.
- Note: The Kshetra name is associated with this event. Since Agni deva got rid (Vimochana) of his Shapa (Curse), the place is known as Agni Shapa Vimochana Sthalam. There is an Image of Agni deva engraved on the wall of the garbhagriha.

8. Lord Vishnu & Adisesha: Lord Vishnu performed the samasrayam of Adisesha in this place.
- Events: 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 Shankha and Chakra marks.
- Note: There is an Image of Adisesha in the garbhagriha with Shankha and Chakra marks inside the hood, which is unique.

9. Lord Vishnu & Thirumangai Alvar: Lord gave gold to Thirumangai Alvar near this place.
- Events: 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.
- Note: There is an Image of Thirumangai Alvar within the garbhagriha itself, which is unique. The image is brandishing a sword which relates to this event.

• Deities:
- Andalakkum Aiyan: The Image of Sri Andalakkum Aiyan in Bhujanga Sayana posture facing East with his head resting on the Marakkal.
- Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi: The Images of Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi near the feet of the Perumal.
- Bhargavi or Kamalavasini: The Image of Sri Bhargavi (or Kamalavasini) in the Thayar shrine. The Utsavar Image is known as Sri Ranganayaki.
- Adisesha: The Image of Sri Adisesha with Shankha and Chakra marks inside the hood inside the garbhagriha.
- Kamadhenu: The Image of Kamadhenu and calf Nandini engraved on the wall of the garbhagriha.
- Agni deva: The Image of Agni deva engraved on the wall of the garbhagriha.
- Thirumangai Alvar: The Image of Sri Thirumangai Alvar in the garbhagriha with sword in hand.
- Brahma: The Image of Brahma resting on a Lotus inside the garbhagriha.
- Yoga Narasimha: The Image of Sri Yoga Narasimha in the temple premises.
- Hanuman: The Image of Bhakta Hanuman in the temple premises.

• Sacred Geography:
- Surya Pushkarini: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Punnai Tree: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.
- Patali Tree: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.

• Location: Thiru Aadanur is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. This is in Chola Nadu. The temple can be visited from Swamimalai (5 km) and Kumbakonam (12 km).

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