Thirukozhi

108 Divya Desams, Tiruchirapalli District

God

Azhagiya Manavala Perumal, facing east, in a standing posture

Goddess

Kamalavalli Nachiyar, facing east in the same shrine as the lord

Other Deities

Thirupanazhwar, Ramanujar, Nammazhwar

Thirukozhi welcomes you with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. There are beautiful corridors and a very deep holy tank inside. The lord is in a standing posture about to use his Chakra.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kalyana Theertham, Surya Pushkarini, Kudamurutti River

Vimaanam – Kalyana Vimaanam

History

Thirukozhi temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Kings and Madurai Nayaks. Thirumangai Azhwar and Kulasekara Azhwar (c. 750 CE) have performed Mangalasasanam here at Thirukozhi. Uraiyur (Woraiyur) in Thiruchirapalli, where Thirukozhi temple is, was the capital of the Ancient Cholas from 300 BCE.

Mythology

Kamalavalli, the daughter of a Chola King is believed to have been married by the Lord here at Thirukozhi and hence the goddess’s name is the same.

Directions

Thirukozhi, Uraiyur is west of the Rock Fort in Thiruchirapalli.

Stay and Food

Thiruchirapalli has many excellent hotels and restaurants. A particular favorite of ours used to be Hotel Ajanta (stay and food) and of course Parthasarathy Hotel (food) in Thiruvanaikaval.

108 Divya Desams