Jagathrakshaga Perumal Temple, in Aduthurai in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Jagathrakshaga Perumal (Jakath Rakshaka) with consort Padmasani, also called Pushpavalli Thayar. It is also known as Thirukoodalur, Jakath Rakshaka Perumal temple, Aduthurai Perumal Temple, Vaiyam Katha Perumal temple, Sangama Kshetram.
It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet saints, praised here by Thirumangai Alvar. According to legend, the river goddess Kaveri sought to purify herself through worship of Vishnu at this site, giving the location its character as a Sangama Kshetram, a place of sacred confluence. The site is called Thirukoodalur because tradition holds that all the devas gathered here (koodal meaning group or gathering).
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Evening | 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals are performed for both deities: Ushathkalam (7 AM), Kalasanthi (8 AM), Uchikalam (12 PM), Sayarakshai (5 PM), Irandamkalam (6 PM) and Ardha Jamam (7:30 PM), each with alangaram, neivethanam and deepa aradanai, along with nagaswaram, tavil and Vedic recitation. Srisukta Homam is performed on full moon days using 108 lotus leaves.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Tamil month Vaikasi (May-June) | The most prominent annual festival, featuring sacred processions |
| Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Tamil month Margazhi (December-January) |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style with a Suddha Satwa Vimanam over the sanctum, a three tiered rajagopuram, a standing image of the main deity in the central shrine, a separate south facing shrine for the consort, and separate shrines for Ramanuja, the Alvars, Andal and Garuda, all enclosed within a brick wall
History
The site is called Thirukoodalur because tradition holds that all the devas gathered here (koodal meaning group or gathering). Thirumangai Alvar's hymns link the village to the Varaha legend of Vishnu rescuing the earth goddess Bhumi from the netherworld, referring to it as Pugunthaan Oor. Local legend also credits King Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu who lost his kingdom after neglecting his army and offending the sage Durvasa, with building the temple. A conch symbol is said to have appeared in a jackfruit tree behind the sanctum and is worshipped during festivals, and the temple is associated with Ketu among the Navagrahas.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located on the Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru road, about 25 km from Kumbakonam, 11 km from Thiruvaiyaru, and roughly 4 miles from Ayyampet railway station
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Darshan timings taken from a blogspot devotional source rather than an official temple listing; the consort name appears as both Padmasani and Pushpavalli Thayar across sources