Thirukkozhi – Naachiyaar Koil

Azhagiya MaNavaaLa PerumaL Koil also known as Naachiyaar Koil is situated in Uraiyur, a suburb of ThiruchiraapaLLi.

According to legend, Sriman Narayana pleased with the Chozha king Nanda Chozhan, blessed him with a daughter who was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The king found the child in a thousand-petalled lotus and named her KamalavaLLi. The princess grew up and desired to marry Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. The Lord appeared as Azhagiya MaNavaaLan (beautiful groom) to the Chozha king, who gladly gave his daughter in marriage to the Lord.

The temple stands as a testimony to medieval Chozha architecture with later contributions from the Pandyas and Vijayanagara kings.

This temple has no Uthsava Moorthy as Lord Ranganatha himself (as NamperumaL) makes the journey from Srirangam to Uraiyur on the first day of Panguni Uthiram to stay with his consort. This is celebrated as Serthi Uthsavam every year.

The Moolavar of this Divya Kshetram is NamperumaL, the Uthsava Moorthy of Srirangam, who takes on the form of Azhagiya MaNavaaLa Perumal – the handsome groom who comes to wed KamalavaLLi Naachiyaar. Thaayaar KamalavaLLi is seen in a sitting posture facing north, which is similar to the position a bride sits with her groom during the wedding rituals.

Uthsavam :

KOdai Uthsavam, Vasanthothsavam, Navarathiri Uthsavam, Dolothsavam, Theppothsavam, Serthi Uthsavam