In Thirukkoyilur, Tamil Nadu, Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Thirukkoyilur honours Ulagalantha Perumal (Vishnu as Vamana/Trivikrama), with consort Poongothai Nachiyar. It is also known as Trivikrama Perumal Temple, Thirukoyilur Perumal Kovil.
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints. It is revered as the site linked to the salvation of the first three Alvars and is counted among the Pancha Kanna Kshetrams associated with Krishna worship in South India. The temple is associated with the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, who took three cosmic strides to subdue the pride of the Asura king Mahabali.
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 | 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Six daily poojas are performed at intervals through the day; timings can vary around major festivals.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals (kalams) including morning and evening abhishekam, alangaram (decoration), neivedyam (food offering) and deepa aradhanai, accompanied by nagaswaram and tavil
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-April) | A major 15-day festival featuring chariot (ther) processions, considered the most prominent annual celebration at the temple |
| Masi Magam | Tamil month of Masi (February-March) | The processional deity is taken out in a festival procession |
| Vaikunta Ekadashi | Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) | Observed as per general Vaishnavite temple tradition |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style temple covering about 5 acres, with an 11-tiered rajagopuram rising to roughly 192 feet (59 m), reputed to be the third tallest temple tower in Tamil Nadu; the moolavar is an unusually large wooden image of Vishnu in Trivikrama form with one foot raised
History
The temple is associated with the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, who took three cosmic strides to subdue the pride of the Asura king Mahabali. It is also revered as the place where the first three Alvars, Poigai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar and Peyalvar, are believed to have sheltered together during a storm, recognized each other's divine presence through flashes of light, and attained moksha. The site finds mention in Sangam-era Tamil literature including Agananuru and Purananuru, and later received endowments from Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayak rulers.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Thirukkoyilur is located in Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu, and is well connected by road to Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Cuddalore. The nearest railway station is Villupuram, and the nearest airport is Puducherry or Chennai.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Timings and festival dates vary slightly across sources and were not cross-verified with an official temple or HRandCE listing