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{{Short description|Perumal temple in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name =
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple
| image = Thiruvellarai (7).jpg
| alt = One of the interior gateway towers on the left and the southern gateway on the right
| caption = View of the unfinished southern gateway
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, [[Thiruvellarai]], [[Tiruchirapalli district|Tiruchirapalli]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|57|21.6|N|78|40|03.7|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Pundarikakshan_Perumal_Temple&params=10_57_21.6_N_78_40_03.7_E_type:landmark_region:IN]
| native_name = Thiruvellarai
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Tiruchirapalli district|Tiruchirapalli]]
| location = [[Thiruvellarai]]
| elevation_m = 136.79
| deity = {{Plainlist|
* Pundarikakshan Perumal ([[Vishnu]])
* Pankajavalli Thayar ([[Lakshmi]])
}}
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Tamil architecture]]
| temple_quantity = One
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator = [[Cholas]]
| website =
|tower=Vimalaakkruthi Vimanam}}

The '''Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple''' or '''Thiruvellarai Temple''' in [[Thiruvellarai]],{{Refn|The word Thiru or Tiru (Sri in Sanskrit) is a Tamil honorific prefix used before village names, temples and while addressing adult males in Tamil. While Tiruvellarai is quoted in some sources and Thiruvallarai is quoted in the census website, Thiruvellarai is the most commonly used name.|name=first|group=note}} a village in the outskirts of [[Tiruchirappalli]] in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]], is dedicated to the Hindu god [[Vishnu]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desams]]'' dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Pundarikakshan and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as Pankajavalli.

According to legends, the temple is said to have been built by [[Shibi (king)|Sibi Chakravarthy]]. The temple has three inscriptions in its two rock-cut caves, two dating from the period of [[Nandivarman II]] (732–796 CE) and the other to that of [[Dantivarman]] (796–847). It also has Pallava sculptural depictions of [[Narasimha]] and [[Varaha]], [[Dashavatara|two of the ten avatar]]s of Vishnu.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and six of its seven bodies of water. The ''[[gopuram|rajagopuram]]'', the temple's gateway tower, is unfinished. A ''[[swastika]]'' shaped [[temple tank]] built in 800 CE by Kamban Araiyan during the reign of [[Dantivarman]] is outside the temple complex. The [[Vijayanagar empire|Vijayanagar]] and [[Nayak dynasty|Nayak]] kings commissioned paintings on the walls of the shrine of Pudarikakshan, some of which are still present.

Pundarikakshan is believed to have appeared and showered his divine grace to [[Garuda]] ([[vahana]] of Vishnu), Sibi Chakravarthy, sage [[Markandeya]] and Hindu gods [[Bhūmi|Bhoomadevi]], [[Brahma]], [[Shiva]], [[Indra]] and [[Chandra]]. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Chaitra'' (March–April), is the most prominent. The festival is unique in the state as a community feast is offered, a custom stretching back many centuries. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==History==
[[File:Thiruvellarai (13).jpg|250x250px|thumb|The temple tank in front of the main gateway|left|alt=temple tank in front of the gateway tower]]
Pundarikakshan Perumal temple is believed to have been built by the [[Pallavas]], as seen from the three inscriptions in its two rock-cut caves. Two of the inscriptions are dated from the period of [[Nandivarman II]] (732–796 CE) and the other from the period of Dantivarman (796–847 CE). The temple construction completed presumably during the time of Dantivarman.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="hindu3"/><ref name="India 1903, p. 63">[[#ASI|Archaeological Survey of India. Southern Circle]] 1903, p. 63</ref><ref name="Verma94"/><ref name="T.">[[#T.|T.]] 2002, pp. 110–111</ref><ref name="Madras (India : State)"/> The influence of [[Azhwars|Alvars]], the Vaishanva saints of the 7th–9th centuries helped spread [[Vaishnavism]] to a greater extent among the public and the ruling Pallava kings, who became temple patrons.<ref>[[#T.|T.]] 2002, p. 127</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Pallavas|first=Tony|last=Jouveau-Dubreuil|year=1994|isbn= 81-206-0574-8|publisher=Asian Educational Services|location=New Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6o9XCT3XiaMC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA76|page=76}}</ref>

A [[Chola]] inscription indicates an endowment to the shrines of [[Krishna]] (an avatar of Vishnu) and his chief consort, [[Rukmini]], inside the temple by King [[Parantaka I|Parakesarivarman]] (907–955 CE).<ref name="T."/><ref>[[#ASI|Archaeological Survey of India. Southern Circle]] 1903, p. 70</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Fluid Signs: Being a Person the Tamil Way|last=Daniel|first=Val |publisher=University of California Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KwZatzse3CsC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA139|year=1984|isbn=9780520061675|pages=139–140}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=South-Indian inscriptions, Volumes 9–10|last=Hultzsch|first=Eugen|page=298|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MlpBAQAAIAAJ&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA298|publisher=Superintendent, Gov't press|year=1890}}</ref> The temple had later additions from the subsequent Chola, [[Pandyas#Pandya revival and zenith .2813th and 14th centuries AD.29|later Pandyas]], [[Hoysala]] and the [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara]] kings.<ref name="hindu3">{{cite news|title=Tamil inscriptions found near Tiruvellarai temple|date=2008-08-24|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/24/stories/2008082454970500.htm|first=Subramanian|last=T.S.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193122/http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/24/stories/2008082454970500.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref> The temple suffered extensive damage during a flood and was repaired by a merchant around 1262–63.<ref name="hindu3"/><ref name="India 1903, p. 63"/><ref name="Verma94"/><ref name="T."/><ref name="Madras (India : State)"/>

In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]. An Executive officer appointed by the Board manages the temple along with [[Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple]], [[Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple|Sri Alagiya Manavala Perumal Temple]] at [[Woraiyur]], [[Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple|Sri Vadivalagiya Nambi Perumal Temple]] and Mariamman Temple at [[Anbil]]. Annadhanam scheme, which provides free food to devotees, is implemented in the temple by the Board. Under the scheme, free food is offered to hundred devotees every day in the temple and the expenditure is fully funded by the contributions from devotees.<ref name="temple"/><ref>{{cite journal|title=Lord Sri Ranganatha Temple - a study|journal=Monthly Multidisciplinary Research Journal|last1=J.|first1=Sulochana Gandhi|last2=R.|first2=Soundarajan|pages=2–5|url=http://aygrt.isrj.net/UploadedData/1911.pdf|issn=2231-5063|volume=2|issue=7|date=January 2013|access-date=2013-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002140622/http://aygrt.isrj.net/UploadedData/1911.pdf|archive-date=2013-10-02}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Tiruvellarai tank.jpg|thumb|right|250x250px|Swastika tank, with stepped entrances in all four sides, was built in 800 CE|alt=a large, deep tank with four entrances]]
Pundarikakshan Perumal temple is located in Thiruvellarai, a village {{convert|27|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Tiruchirappalli, on the Thuraiyur road. The shrine of Pundarikakshan is built on a {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} tall artificial hill.<ref>{{cite book|title=Essays on Indian History and Culture|page=56|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2jMg8K5dPZUC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA56|publisher=Mittal Publications|last=H. V.|first=Sreenivasa Murthy|year=1990|isbn=9788170992110}}</ref> There are two stepped entrances to the sanctum, Utharayana Vaasal and Dhakshanayana Vaasal, each open for a six-month period. From 15 January to 15 June, Utharayanya Vaasal is opened, Dhakshanaya Vaasal is for the other six-month period. Pundarikakshan, the presiding deity of the temple is named "Maayavan" during ''[[Dakshinayana]]m'' and "Thai Maatha Naayagan" during ''[[Uttarayanam]]''. The two gates in the temple are believed to represent the continuous cycle of entering into life and getting out of it. An image of the presiding deity, Pundarikakshan, is seen in a standing posture facing east. He is believed to have appeared to [[Garuda]], [[Shibi (king)|Sibi Chakravarthy]], [[Bhūmi|Bhoomadevi]], sage [[Markandeya]], [[Brahma]] and [[Shiva]], all of whose images are housed inside the sanctum. The consort of Pundarikakshan, Shenbagavalli, (also called "Peri Pirattiyaar Lakshmi Devi") has a separate shrine. The [[Utsavar]] (festival image) of Pankajavalli is called Shenbagavalli and is housed inside the same shrine.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|title=Mahasamprokshanam at Tiruvellarai on March16|date=2005-03-11|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/11/stories/2005031114870300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111114604/http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/11/stories/2005031114870300.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=2006-01-11}}</ref> The temple has Pallava sculptural depictions of [[Narasimha]] and [[Varaha]], two of the [[Dashavatar|ten avatars of Vishnu]]. Narasimha is depicted holding a demon in one panel, the other shows him tearing the demon.<ref name="Verma94">[[#CITEREFVerma2012|Verma]] 2012, p. 94</ref>

The rectangular walls around the temple enclose all the eight shrines and six of the seven water bodies associated with the temple. Besides the main shrine for Pundarikakshan and Pangayavalli, the temple has shrines for [[Azhwar|Alvar]]s, [[Garuda]], [[Ramanuja]]r and Uyyakondar. The seven water bodies are Divya Tirtham, Kanda Kshree Tirtham, Tirtham, Chakkara Tirtham, Pushkala Tirtham, Padma Tirtham and Varaaha Manikarnika Tirtham. The ''[[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimanam]]'' (structure over the sanctum) is called Vimalaakkruthi Vimaanam.<ref name="temple"/> There are various sculptural depictions of Krishna on the pillars of the temple, in the most notable of which he is depicted dancing on a pot. He is seen dancing in Swastika posture with his buns like hair-do, ornaments and anklet. In another sculpture, he is seen slaying the demon Bhagasura.<ref name="T."/> The [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagar]] and [[Nayak dynasty|Nayak kings]] commissioned the Krishna paintings on the exterior walls of the shrine of Pundarikakshan; they have clear labels.<ref>[[#T.|T.]] 2002, pp. 108–109</ref> Paintings with some of the popular themes from the epic ''[[Ramayana]]'' were also commissioned by the Nayak kings in the temple.<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact : Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|pages=85–87|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&q=veeraraghava+perumal+temple&pg=PA86|publisher=Peeters Publishers|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|date=1 January 1995|ref=K.V.}}</ref>

The ''[[gopuram|rajagopuram]]'', the main gateway tower, is an unfinished structure.<ref name="Madras (India : State)">{{cite book|title=Madras district gazetteers, Volume 1|last=Madras (India : State)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QztuAAAAMAAJ&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA325|page=325|publisher=Superintendent, Government Press|year=1907}}</ref> An initiative to complete the estimated {{convert|72|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} has been mooted by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rajagopuram|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-481008982.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234328/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-481008982.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2018|url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]]|publisher=Mena Report|date=7 February 2017|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> A [[swastika]]-shaped temple tank built during 800 CE is present in the south-western corner of the street around the temple. It has four stepped gateways, each having 51 steps. The tank is believed to have been built by Kamban Araiyan during the reign of Dantivarman. In modern times, it is maintained by the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple complex covers an area of {{convert|2.62|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, while the tank covers an area of {{convert|0.1256|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and many mandapas are dedicated to the Lord which cover a total {{convert|8|acre|ha|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="Arch">{{cite web|title=Swastik Well, Tiruvellarai|url=http://www.tnarch.gov.in/cons/tank/tank2.htm|publisher=Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=2013-07-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701163919/http://www.tnarch.gov.in/cons/tank/tank2.htm|archive-date=2015-07-01}}</ref><ref name="hindu2">{{cite news|title=Pallava-built tank plagued by vandalism at Tiruvellarai|date=2008-05-17|last=M.|first=Balaganessin|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051754240600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228015800/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051754240600.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=2011-02-28}}</ref>

An archaeological study in 2010 revealed that the layout of the rock-cut caves in the temple is similar to that of other rock-cut temples such as the [[Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort|Rockfort]] and Pechipalai cave temple. The unfinished caves in the temple, along with the lower cave temples in Tiruchirappalli and [[Tiruparankunram]], each have a shrine for Shiva in the east and Vishnu in the west, separated by a central bay between them.<ref name="hindu4">{{cite news|title=Study uncovers interesting details of cave temple architecture|work=The Hindu|date=2010-10-27|access-date=2013-03-04|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/study-uncovers-interesting-details-of-cave-temple-architecture/article852218.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112073931/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/study-uncovers-interesting-details-of-cave-temple-architecture/article852218.ece|archive-date=2014-01-12}}</ref>
[[File:Thiruvellarai pano.jpg|650px|center|thumb|Panorama of the Uttarayana and Daskhinaya entrances of the temple sanctum]]

==Legend==
[[File:Thiruvellarai (18).jpg|250x250px|thumb|The passageway around the sanctum|alt=stucco images on one side of the wall with lined pillars]]
The word ''Vellarai'' means white rock. Owing to the presence of white rocks in the region, the place is historically referred to as Thiru Vellara. As per Hindu legend, when [[Shibi (king)|Sibi Chakravarthi]] stayed there with his warriors, a white boar crossed his path. He chased it and the boar hid inside a hole. [[Markandeya]], a sage, was doing penance there and the king narrated the incident to him. The sage asked the king to fill the hole with milk. While doing so, Hindu god [[Vishnu]] appeared before them. The sage asked the king to bring 3700 [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]] from the north and build a temple on the site for Vishnu. As requested, the king took 3700 Vaishnavas and started building the temple. While doing so, one of the Vaishnavas was killed in transit and the king was concerned by the accident. Vishnu appeared incognito as Pundarikakshan, a Vaishnava, and requested to be counted among the 3700.<ref name="temple">{{cite journal|title=Thiruvellarai|journal=Thirukoyil|publisher=Hindu Religious And Endowment Board Tamil Nadu|volume=55|series=02|date=February 2013|url=http://www.thirukoilmagazine.tnhrce.in/online_magazine.html|pages=10–11|last=S.|first=Venkatraman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185946/http://www.thirukoilmagazine.tnhrce.in/online_magazine.html|archive-date=2013-10-29|access-date=2013-05-24}}</ref><ref name="ayyar"/><ref name="hindu">{{cite news|title=Mahasamprokshanam performed at Tiruvellarai temple|date=2005-05-17|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/17/stories/2005031713330300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200712/http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/17/stories/2005031713330300.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref> According to another legend [[Lakshmi]], the consort of Vishnu, performed penance at the temple, and Vishnu appeared before her as Sengamalakannan. The presiding deity has since been called "Thamarai Kannan", meaning the one who has eyes resembling lotus; his consort is called "Pankajha-Valli". The Hindu god [[Shiva]] in form of [[Neelivaneswarar Temple|Neelivaneswarar]] is believed to have worshipped Pundarikakshan to absolve himself from the sin of holding [[Brahma]]'s severed head. Vishnu appeared to both Shiva and Brahma, adhering to their prayers.<ref name="temple"/>

==Religious significance==
[[File:Thiruvellarai (26).jpg|thumb|Fort walls of the temple compound|250x250px|alt=Fort wall with gateway tower in the center]]
The temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by [[Periazhwar|Periyalvar]] in eleven hymns and by [[Thirumangai Alvar]] in thirteen hymns.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="hindu"/><ref name="Verma75">[[#CITEREFVerma2012|Verma]] 2012, p. 75</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Sacred Songs Of India, Volume 5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zNObF6dLipIC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA17|page=17|first=Subramanian|last=V.K.|publisher=Abhinav Publications|year=2003|isbn=9788170174011}}</ref> The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desam]]'', one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. Some of the ancient [[Sanskrit]] books consider the temple an ''uthamakshetram'', meaning a place that gives the best to its devotees.<ref name="temple"/> The sculptures on the pillars of the temple reveal the earliest practice of Krishna worship in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="T91">[[#T.|T.]] 2002, p. 91</ref> [[Vedanta Desika]] (1269–1370) revered the temple in his work ''Hamsa Sandesam''. It is also considered one of the most hallowed and pious Vaishnava Divyadesams, as being older than the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, one visit to this temple is considered equal to visiting all 108 Vaishnava Divyadesams. As per Hindu legend, the eighteen steps in the temple represent the eighteen chapters of the ''[[Bhagawad Gita|Bhagavad Gita]]'' and the last four steps represent the four ''[[vedas]]'', the sacred Hindu religious texts. Sounds produced near some of the big pillars of the temple echoes around the temple. Some of the sacred verses are recited more than once in front of these pillars during worship. Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Uyyakondar, a disciple of [[Nathamuni|Nathamunigal]]. Thiruvellarai is also the birthplace of Engalazhwan (Vishnuchitthar), who is believed to have taught ''Sri Bhasyam'' to Nadadhoor Ammal at the temple.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="ayyar">{{Cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian shrines: illustrated |year=1991 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0151-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA533|page=533}}</ref><ref name="dinamalar">{{cite news|title=Sri Pundarikakshan Perumal temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=182|newspaper=Dinamalar|access-date=2013-05-04|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029214915/http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=182|archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref>

According to Hindu tradition, [[Ramanuja]] (1017–1137), the leading expounder of [[Vishishtadvaita]] philosophy, visited the temple. One of his disciples placed Ramanuja's sandals along with the image of Varadarajan. Ramanuja became furious at this, for which the disciple explained that for Ramanuja Varadarajar is god, but for him, Ramanuja is supreme.<ref>{{cite book|title=Life and teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya|last=Ayyangar|first=C. R. Sreenivasa|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeandteaching00ayyagoog|quote=tiruvellarai.|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeandteaching00ayyagoog/page/n241 231]|publisher=R. Venkateshwar|year=1908}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Life of Râmânujâchârya: The Exponent of the Viśistâdvaita Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DOAoAAAAYAAJ&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA220|pages=220–221|last=Govindāchārya|first=Aḷkoṇḍavilli |publisher=S. Murthy|year=1906}}</ref> Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Uyyakondar, a disciple of Nathamuni. Swami Engalazhwan is believed to have taught ''Sri Bhasyam'' to Nadadhoor Ammal at the temple.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="ayyar"/><ref name="dinamalar"/> The Jiyar of the temple, who serves as its head, is known as Pankaya Selvi Jiyar, named after the temple's Thayar.<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZY2lZpy.TVA_BOK_0006115|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=559–61}}</ref>

==Festivals and religious practices==
[[File:Thiruvellarai (28).jpg|right|thumb|Cave temple in the temple compound|250x250px|alt=cave temple with four rock cut entrances]]
The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavaite]] community, a Brahmin varna. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: ''Ushathkalam'' at 7 a.m., ''Kalasanthi'' at 8:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 p.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m., ''Irandamkalam'' at 7:00 p.m. and ''Ardha Jamam'' at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Pundarikakshan and Pankajavalli. During the last step of worship, ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the ''[[Vedas]]'' (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the [[Iconography of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu#Dvajasthamba and Pali Peedam|temple mast]]. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="dinamalar"/>

The Chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple, and for the surrounding villages. It is celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Chittirai'' (March–April) when devotees pull the chariot around the streets of Tirvellarai. Verses from ''Naalayira Divya Prabandham'' are recited by a group of temple priests amidst music with ''[[Nadaswaram|nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''tavil'' (percussion instrument). The chariot festival is unique in the state as a community feast is offered by several individuals and committees, a custom many centuries old. The processional idols of Pundarikakshan and Pankajavalli are brought to the temple car early in the morning amidst religious chanting. ''Ratharohanam'', the rituals associated with taking the idols to the temple car, is performed at an auspicious time before commencing the procession.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hundreds pull temple car|work=The Hindu|date=2010-04-09|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/article392486.ece?textsize=small&test=2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200226/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/article392486.ece?textsize=small&test=2|archive-date=2014-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Devotees pull temple car|work=The Hindu|date=2012-03-19|access-date=2013-03-04|location=Tiruchi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article3011461.ece?textsize=small&test=2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194100/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article3011461.ece?textsize=small&test=2|archive-date=2014-01-02}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=Epigraphy |last=Archaeological Survey of India. Southern Circle |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HkflYvqYadQC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=RA2-PA6 |year=1903 |ref=ASI}}
* {{cite book |last=T. |first=Padmaja |title=Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: history, art, and traditions in Tamilnāḍu |year=2002 |publisher=Shakti Malik |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7017-398-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgaS1wRnl8C&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA109}}
* {{cite book|title=Temple imagery from early mediaeval peninsular India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HOc9RG6MSzgC&q=tiruvellarai&pg=PA94 |last=Verma |first=Archana |isbn=9781409430292 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2012}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Pundarikakshan_Perumal_Temple&params=10_57_21.6_N_78_40_03.7_E_type:landmark_region:IN GeoHack - Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple]

*[http://www.srivari.com/chozhatirupathigal/thiruvellarai.htm History of the temple]

{{commons category|Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple}}

{{Famous Vishnu temples}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:Divya Desams| ]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Tiruchirappalli district]]

Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple - Revision history

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