Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur
Vishnu (as Kudamadu Koothan, the pot-dancer, a form of Krishna) temple · Thirunangur, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram is a Vishnu temple in the village of Thirunangur near Sirkazhi, in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is known as Kudamadu Koothan, 'the one who dances with pots', a name Thirumangai Alvar used for Krishna. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the eleven Thirunangur Divya Desams that take part together in the Garuda Sevai festival each Thai.
Dinamalar's temple directory counts the temple as the 29th of the 108 Divya Desams and records its puranic name as Ariyameya Vinnagaram. Wikipedia explains the name as 'the celestial city where Hari resides', and the commentary published in the Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series reads it in the same way.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur
Dinamalar and the Sundarasimham commentary describe the main image as seated and facing east, with the festival image named Gopala (Chaturbhuja Gopalar, a four-armed image in five-metal alloy according to Wikipedia). Dinamalar notes that the deity rests one foot on a pot of butter, and Wikipedia describes the image in the same way. The consort is known as Amirthavalli or Amruthagatavalli; the sources spell her name in slightly different forms.
Thirumangai Alvar's ten verses on this shrine form decad 3.10 of his Periya Thirumozhi, according to the Sundarasimham ebook, which says they praise the Lord's deeds including the Vamana and Rama incarnations, the lifting of Govardhana hill and the union with Nappinnai. Dinamalar names Thirumangai Alvar as the poet who sang the temple; Wikipedia additionally lists Periyalvar and Thirumalisai Alvar.
Like the other Thirunangur shrines, the temple is linked to the legend that Vishnu appeared here in eleven forms to calm Shiva's furious dance after the death of Sati, as told by Daily Thanthi and Wikipedia. Wikipedia also records a local tradition that the Lord came here at Shiva's request.
Heritage
History of Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur
No inscriptions or construction history are given by the sources consulted. The temple's inclusion in Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumozhi shows that it was already a recognised shrine in the Alvar period. The Wikipedia article on the Nangur group states that the oldest of the eleven temples have been dated to the reign of the Chola king Parantaka I, without specifying which.
The temple's sthala purana, as told by Dinamalar, centres on the sage Uthanka. Wishing to give his teacher a parting gift, Uthanka obtained a queen's earrings; on his way back he accepted a drink from a cowherd that later turned out to be nectar, and a thief who stole the earrings was driven out by Indra. His teacher explained that the cowherd had been Vishnu testing him. When Uthanka asked to see the Lord's true form, Vishnu is believed to have appeared here holding a pot of butter. The Sundarasimham ebook likewise names Uthanka as the sage to whom the Lord appeared.
Architecture and sacred features
According to Wikipedia, the temple is built in the Dravidian style with a three-tiered gopuram, is surrounded by paddy fields, and has its tank on the north side. Sources differ on the name of the vimana: Wikipedia gives Vedamodha Vimanam and the Sundarasimham ebook Ucchasrunga Vimanam. Dinamalar names the sacred water as Amirtha Theertham and the sacred tree as the palasa.
Dinamalar notes that the temple has no flagstaff, and that the deity's large pedestal has steps that devotees climb, which is explained as a symbol of devotion being the stairway to God. Separate shrines for the Alvars and for Rama and Sita stand in the outer corridor.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is a small village temple; it may be closed outside the morning and evening worship periods, and the priest may look after more than one shrine. Crowds are very large at the time of the Garuda Sevai in Thai. Dress modestly and follow the directions of temple staff. Confirm current opening times with the temple or the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur
Thirunangur Garuda Sevai (Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam)
The festival image of this temple is carried to Thirumanimadam to join the images of the other ten Thirunangur shrines on Garuda vahanas, while Thirumangai Alvar's hymns for each shrine are recited.
Vaikasi Visakam
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's festivals.
Location
How to Reach Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur
Dinamalar gives Sirkazhi, about 8 km away, as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport. It notes that buses run only at certain times and suggests travelling from Sirkazhi via Annankoil and walking about 2 km from there. Wikipedia places Thirunangur about 10 km from Sirkazhi on the way to Thiruvenkadu.
Dinamalar suggests Mayiladuthurai as a base for accommodation. The other Thirunangur Divya Desams, including Thirumanimadam, lie within a short distance in the same village.
Location: Thirunangur, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Sirkazhi, about 8 km (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (as Kudamadu Koothan, the pot-dancer, a form of Krishna) temples · Temples in Nangur · Temples in Sirkazhi Taluk · Temples in Mayiladuthurai District
Questions
Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur: Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kudamadu Koothar mean?
It means 'the one who dances with pots', a name Thirumangai Alvar used for Krishna. The presiding image is shown with one foot on a pot of butter.
What does the name Arimeya Vinnagaram mean?
It is explained as the celestial city where Hari, Vishnu, resides.
Which legend is associated with the temple?
The sthala purana tells of the sage Uthanka, to whom Vishnu is believed to have appeared here holding a pot of butter after testing his devotion.
Which hymns are sung on this temple?
Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumozhi decad 3.10, ten verses, is dedicated to Arimeya Vinnagaram.
Does the temple have a flagstaff?
No. Dinamalar notes that the temple has no flagstaff, which is unusual.
How do I reach Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram?
Sirkazhi railway station is about 8 km away. From Sirkazhi, travel via Annankoil and walk about 2 km. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar — Arulmigu Kudamadu Koothan Temple, Thirunangur (Tamil temple directory)
- sadagopan.org (ed. Oppiliappan Koil V. Sadagopan) — Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram (Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series)
- Daily Thanthi — Arutsevai arulum Thirunangur Garudasevai (Tamil)
- Wikipedia — Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram
- Wikipedia — Nangur Vishnu Temples
Further reading: Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamadu Koothar Temple), Thirunangur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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