Thiruchsemponsey (Perarulalan Temple / Semponsei Koil), Thirunangur

According to the legend recorded by Dinamalar and Wikipedia, after defeating Ravana Rama stayed at the hermitage of the sage Drudhanetra here. To be cleansed of the sin of killing Ravana, he is said to have had a large golden cow made, performed penance within it and then gave it to a priest, who sold it and used the proceeds to build this temple. The temple's name, 'chempon sey koil', is explained from this story. Dinamalar adds that this is the only Divya Desam where tradition holds that the Lord himself helped to build his temple.

Thirumangai Alvar's ten verses on this shrine form decad 4.3 of his Periya Thirumozhi, according to the commentary published in the Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series. Their refrain expresses the poet's sense that his sorrows have ended on seeing the Lord with Allimamalar Nachiyar. The ebook describes Semponsei Koil as the sixth of the eleven Thirunangur shrines in the order of the Alvar's hymns, standing at the centre of the group.

Dinamalar also records a tradition that a man named Kashyapa from Kanchipuram, who had lost his wealth, recited the eight-syllable mantra here for three days and regained his fortune. Wikipedia notes a local belief that fresh winds over the paddy fields before the festival foretell a good harvest. Like the other Thirunangur shrines, the temple is linked to the legend of Vishnu appearing in eleven forms to calm Shiva's furious dance after the death of Sati.

This is a small village temple and may be closed between the morning and evening worship periods. 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 and festival dates 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.