Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Thirumanikkoodam

Sthala Purāṇam

Thiru Manikkoodam, among the eleven Thirunangur Tirupatis near Mayiladuthurai, enshrines Lord Varadaraja Perumal, also called Manikooda Nayagan, standing in nindra thirukkolam and facing east, with His consorts Sridevi, here named Thirumamagal Nachiyar, and Bhudevi. The name Manikkoodam, meaning a hut or hall of gems (mani, ruby or jewel; koodam, dwelling), evokes the jewelled abode of the Lord. The temple shares the overarching Thirunangur sthala puranam, wherein Vishnu manifested in eleven forms across the region to pacify Lord Shiva after his fierce dance following the loss of Dakshayani, freeing him from the affliction that beset him; the eleven Rudras and Indra, king of the devas, are believed to have worshipped the Lord here. A local tradition holds that Lord Krishna, with His consort Satyabhama, chose this verdant spot for a pleasure garden because it rivalled the celestial garden of Indra in beauty. The vimana over the sanctum is the Kanaka Vimana, and the temple tank is the Chandra Pushkarini. Among the Thirunangur shrines, Thiru Manikkoodam holds a singular distinction: it is the only one of the eleven sung by Alvars beyond Thirumangai Alvar, for it received the mangalasasanam of Periyalvar and Thirumalisai Alvar as well as Thirumangai Alvar. The temple, of Pallava-Chola antiquity, stands today under the care of the Thirunangur temple establishment.

Plan your visit

📍 11.17944, 79.78806

Routes, distances, hotels and restaurants open in Google Maps with live data. Build a phased pilgrimage plan →