Sundararaja Perumal Temple, in Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, is a shrine to Sundararaja Perumal with consort Saundaryavalli (Soundaravalli); Perumal worshipped in three postures, standing as Neelamega Perumal or Sundararaja Perumal, seated as Govindaraja Perumal, and reclining as Rangaraja Perumal. It is also known as Soundararajaperumal 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, and is glorified here in hymns of Thirumangai Alvar. It follows the Thenkalai Vaishnavite tradition. According to legend, the site was once a forest called Sundararanyam through which flowed a Cauvery tributary.
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 12:00 Noon |
| Evening | 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM |
Some sources also describe six internal daily ritual timings at approximately 7 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM and 10 PM; these may differ from the general public darshan window given above.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals including alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (lamp waving)
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Chariot Festival | Tamil month of Chittirai (March-April) | The temple's most prominent annual festival |
| Soundaravalli Thayar Festival | Tamil month of Aani | Festival dedicated to the goddess Soundaravalli |
| Summer Festival | Tamil month of Aadi |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style temple with a five tiered rajagopuram about 90 ft tall, a rectangular granite enclosure, an eastern facing entrance with a four pillared hall, and a temple tank called Sarapushkarani; the temple also has a notable eight handed Narasimha sculpture and guardian statues of Sumba and Nigumba
History
According to legend, the site was once a forest called Sundararanyam through which flowed a Cauvery tributary. Sundararaja Perumal is said to have appeared here before sage Markandeya, Prince Dhruva and King Saleesa Chola. Local tradition also holds that Nagapattinam takes its name from Adisesha, king of the nagas (serpents), who is said to have worshipped Perumal at this spot. This is a distinct temple from the Sundararaja Perumal Temple at Anbil, Tamil Nadu.
Planning your visit
How to reach
The temple is located in Nagapattinam town, a district headquarters and port town on the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, well connected by road and rail
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Core facts (deity, consort, three postures, Odambokki legend, Divya Desam status) confirmed across Wikipedia and a temple visit blog, but the specific 7:30-12:00 and 5:30-9:00 darshan hours come from a single visitor source and were not cross confirmed with an official temple source; entry fee and dress code unverified