Uraiyur
Uraiyur is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity Azhagiya Manavala, an epithet of Lord Vishnu at a distance of 3 kms from Srirangam. It is not just one of the 108 Vaishnava temples, but also one among the 40 Cholanadu Divya Desas. The temple being rich in history and famous in legends, occupies a coveted place in the heart of the devotees.[1]
Introduction
The temple of Uraiyur is closely associated with Srirangam Ranganatha temple in its history. In fact, the utsava deity of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam is known as Azhagiya manavalan (one of enchanting beauty).
An interesting incident recorded during the period of Nanda Chola is that the Raja once found in his lily pond a heavenly female child floating on a lotus. He took it as a gift from the Almighty and named her Kamalavalli as she was found on the petals of a lotus flower. When she came of age, she met Lord Ranganatha and immediately fell in love with him. The king Nanda Chola consummated her marriage to Ranganatha with great pomp. When the heavenly born daughter was taken inside the sanctum, it is said that she merged with the Lord in a blaze of light. In commemoration of his daughter's marriage, Nanda Chola then constructed two temples, one for Kamalavalli and the other for Azhagiya Manavala at Uraiyur. This is the legendary connection between Srirangam and Uraiyur.[1]
Temple at a glance[1]
| Vishnu here is referred to as | Azhagiya Manavalan |
| Lakshmi here is referred to as | Uraiyurvalli, Vasalakshmi, Kamalavalli Nacchiar |
| Vimana is called as | Kalyana Vimana |
| Pushkarni is called as | Surya Pushkarni, KalyanaTheertha |
| River in the vicinity | Kudamurutty |
| Hymns by Alwars on the deity | Two |
| Location | 3 kms from Tiruchirapalli |