Kallankurichi

Ariyalur Kallankurichi - Sri Kaliyuga Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple located at Kallankurichi in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Vanniyars of Udayarpalayam created a Perumal Temple near Ariyalur in the early 18th Century AD that now attracts lakhs of devotees during Brahmotsavam and Puratasi festivel days.

The temple is about 250 years old and built by a cowherd on the spot of a 12-feet high post believed to have miraculous powers. The post now forms the main deity in the temple. Close by is the idol of Hanuman. There are no idols as presiding deity in the sanctum sanctorum.

Pujas are performed only to this post.  There is no Sorgavasal (Gates of Heaven) on the Vaikunda Ekadasi day as traditionally seen in Vaishnavite temples.  Instead, procession deity is taken on procession.  There is no separate shrine for Mother.

As the presiding deity is believed to be in the post in the sanctum, it implies that Mothers too are with the Lord in the post.  Procession deity Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal graces with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

The ten Avatars of Lord Sri Vishnu are aesthetically sculpted in the Dasavathara Mandap in the temple.  The temple is noted for its sculptures.  The sacred tree Mahalingamaram is near the sanctum still green as in ancient days.

Temple History :  Gopalan Padaiyaachi moved to Kadugur village and built several small houses in the place that was until then an uninhabited forest area thus converting it into a vibrant commercial location. Pleased with his efforts, the villagers named this place as ‘Gopalan Kudikadu’.

The story goes that once his son Mangaan took out a herd of cows and found one of the cows missing on his return. Despite extensive search, he failed to locate the pregnant cow, an event that left him dejected back home.

A few days later, he heard an invisible voice directing him to a particular place here in Kallankurichi where he found the cow with her new born. Pleased with this, he brought home the mother and the new born. A day later he heard the invisible voice again, this time expressing disappointment at not having thanked him for helping locate his lost cow.

When Mangaan Padaiyaachi went back to that place, he found a sacred pillar with the cow’s milk on it and immediately that it was Lord Vishnu who had himself come and helped him the previous day. Mangaan performed Abhisheka and erected the sacred pillar with an Anjaneya idol at the bottom of sacred pillar. It was an accepted practice in olden days to erect the pillar as the deity when people were short of funds to install an idol.

Ariyalur Kallankurichi - Sri Kaliyuga Varadharaja Perumal Temple கல்லங்குறிச்சி - கலியுகவரதராஜப் பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Vishnu
Moolavar Name	Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal, Kaliyuga Varadhan
Goddess Name	Sridevi, Bhoodevi
Location	Ariyalur - Kallankurichi
Ancient	Around 250 Years old
Significance	No Idols as presiding deity,  Only a 12 feet tall post held by Sri Anjaneya is considered the presiding deity of the temple
Travel Base	Ariyalur

How to reach : Kaliyaperumal temple is located in Kallankurichi Village, which is 5 kms away from Ariyalur town. Town Bus, mini Bus, and Auto's available from Ariyalur bus stand.

Sri Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple,

Kallankurichi, Ariyalur district.