Appakudathaan Perumal Temple stands in Koviladi, Tamil Nadu, honours Appakudathaan Perumal, a reclining form of Vishnu also called Appala Ranganathar, with consort Kamalavalli Thayar, also known in some sources as Indravalli. It is also known as Thiruppernagar temple, Appala Ranganathar Temple.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints, sung here by Periyalvar (33 pasurams), Thirumangai Alvar, Thirumazhisai Alvar and Nammalvar. It is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams, a group of Ranganatha temples on the banks of the Kaveri river, and is regarded as the place where Nammalvar attained moksha. Temple legend recounts that King Ubhamanyu was cursed by the sage Durvasa; Vishnu appeared disguised as an old man who ate all the food offered, and only after consuming a pot of neyyappam (a sweet dumpling, or 'appam') was the king freed from the curse.
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
Published sources do not give a single clean daily window for this temple; see the notes below for what is documented.
Four daily poojas are reported: Kalasanthi 8:30 AM, Uchikalam 10:00 AM, Sayarakshai 6:00 PM, Ardha Jamam 8:00 PM. Exact public darshan opening and closing hours could not be verified.
Poojas and daily rituals
Four daily rituals (Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Ardha Jamam)
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Panguni Brahmotsavam | Tamil month of Panguni (March to April), 13 days | The temple's most prominent chariot festival |
| Kaisika Dwadasi | Tamil month of Karthigai to Margazhi (November to December) | Observed at the temple as a significant Vaishnavite festival day |
| Teertha Vari (Maasi Magam) | Tamil month of Maasi (February to March) | A river festival held on the Cauvery |
| Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Tamil month of Margazhi (December to January) | Observed as a major festival day for Vishnu |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style temple with a three-tiered, west-facing rajagopuram, an elevated sanctum reached by a flight of 21 steps, and a prakaram around the sanctum. The presiding deity is in Bhujangasayanam (reclining) posture, facing west.
History
Temple legend recounts that King Ubhamanyu was cursed by the sage Durvasa; Vishnu appeared disguised as an old man who ate all the food offered, and only after consuming a pot of neyyappam (a sweet dumpling, or 'appam') was the king freed from the curse, giving the deity the name Appakudathaan, 'the one who ate the appam'. The Alvar saint Nammalvar is said to have recited his final verses in praise of this deity here before attaining moksha.
Planning your visit
How to reach
About 20 km from Tiruchirappalli via the Kallanai road, and about 10 km from Lalgudi; the temple is on the northern bank of the Cauvery. Nearest railway station and airport are both at Tiruchirappalli.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Consort name appears in sources both as Kamalavalli Thayar and Indravalli; exact darshan hours, entry fee and dress code could not be verified