.

Prominence of the Shrine : At the main karpagraha, a twelve foot mast is borne by lord looks similar to Anjenaya(Hanuman). This is considered as Moolavar (main deity) and poojas are performed. There are no separate idols for the god around however there are other idols who built the temple.

Temple History : Gopalan, devotee from a ‘vanniyar caste’( A type of caste in Tamil nadu) was living at in Ariyalur some 250 years ago. His son name was ‘Mangaan’. He was running a cow farm. One day a beautiful cow which was Pregnant was lost while grazing. Gopalan was in grief as the cow could not be traced even after three days.

On the third day, Mangaan had a dream at night in which the lord told him that his cow was there at a grove at about 2km west between two trees- Aala maram (Banyan tree) and maha linga tree. There among the bush his cow with the calf could be found. The following day Mangaan went there and saw the cow which ran to him crying . Mangaan saw at the site where his cow and calf has stayed, mangaan and his servants touched the mast (flag post) and worshipped it.

After seven days Mangaan had an another dream, the lord said, “You have found and worshipped something which could not have been had even after 8 thousand years of penance, I am real. You dropped me and took away the materialistic cow. How ignorant you are! you are not aware of the relationship your fore fathers had with me, your fore fathers who were living in seedhalavadi, wanted to build a temple for me (Vishnu) and they brought a stone mast which they abandoned on the way as the axle of the cart they were bringing me in was broken. That mast is what you saw. Don’t worry. It is your right to erect the mast. Erect it and worship me every day. To make you realize these I hid your cow. I have appeared to remove the worries of living beings of Kali Yuga. My name is kali Yuga Perumal”. Mangaan built a temple there and started to worship. The temple is today kallankurichi Kali Yuga Varadharaja perumal temple.

Kothandarama Temple Ariyalur

The handsome Bronze Idol of Rama dates back to the Pallava Period

Located in the heart of Ariyalur 1km west of the bus stand is the Kothandarama Temple, where the bronze idol of the handsome South Facing Rama is believed to date back over 1000years to the Pallava period with later renovation during the Chozha rule. The East facing Venkatesa Perumal, a later creation, is now the main Moolavar deity at this temple.

However, to this day, the temple continues to be known after the original deity as the Kothandarama Temple of Ariyalur. Rama is seen along with Sita and Lakshmana in a single peedam.

An interesting feature at the temple is the exquisite over 6 feet tall Dasavaratha idols on either side of the Dasavathara Mandapa, one that was constructed by Vijaya Oppila Mazhava Raya. In recognition of this, one finds his idol at the entrance of the mandapa.

North Facing Lord Narasimha is seen in four forms inside the Dasavathara Mandapa- Lakshmi Narasimha, Yoga Narasimha, Hiranyavatha Narasimha and Prahalada Narasimha. One finds Lord Narasimha with sharp finger nails that tore apart the Asura, while his foot is placed on the slain Asura King Hiranyakashipu whose son Prahalada is seen in a calm, devoted standing posture.

The Name

Ariyalur also bears its name from the presence of Lord Vishnu here. ‘Hari Iruntha Oor’, the place where Lord Vishnu resides, in course of time became ‘Ari’ yalur.