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{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name =Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem
| image =Entrance of Sundararajan.V.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = Tamil Nadu
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|11.65|N|78.15|E|type:landmark_region:IN TN|display=inline}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| location = [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Sundararaja Perumal<br />([[Vishnu]])
Sundaravalli Thayar<br />([[Lakshmi]])
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator = [[Cheras]], [[Cholas]], [[Pandyas]] and [[Pallavas]]
| website =
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}

'''Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem''' (also known as '''Kottai Perumal Koil''') is located on the banks of the [[Thirumanimutharu river]] at [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Tamil nadu]], India.<ref name="maalaimalar.com">https://www.maalaimalar.com/news/district/in-fort-perumal-templeonline-booking-for-special-darshan-554269</ref> It is considered as an [[Abhimana Sthalam]] of [[Lord Vishnu]] and one of the [[Pancha Kshethram]] where [[Maha Lakshmi]] was born as ''Bhargavi''- the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The other four temples of the [[Pancha Kshethram]] are [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Oppiliappan temple]], [[Nachiyar Koil]] and [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]].<ref name="maalaimalar.com"/> The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara Empire]], [[Chera]], [[Pandyas]] and [[Madurai Nayaks]]. The temple follows [[Vaikhanasa|Vaikhanasa agama]] and the temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' rituals during festivals and on a daily basis. The priests belong to the [[Vadakalai]] sect of [[Vaishnavism]], a Brahmin sub-caste. 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 Ranganatha Perumal and Ranganayagi. During the last step of worship, ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) are played, and religious instructions in the ''[[Vedas]]'' (sacred text) are recited by priests.<ref name="maalaimalar.com"/>

==Legend==
As per Hindu legend, the ''[[Vaishnava]]'' deity, Sundararaja, an incarnation of [[Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]], appeared for Bhrigu Rishi, who performed penance in the bank of
Thirumanimuthar.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Azhagirinathar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=450|publisher=Dinamalar|accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref> The sage did not get the attention of Vishnu and in his anger, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Mahalakshmi who resides in Vishnu's chest got angered as Vishnu did not show his anger towards the sage. She left Vaikunta and reached earth and took the form of Padmavathy. Vishnu followed her and married her. Padmavathy got her memories and was still angry with Vishnu. The sage Bhrigu sought his apology and requested Mahalakshmi to be born to him as ''Sundaravalli'' in his next birth. The sage was born as Bhrigu rishi again and performed penance to attain Mahalakshmi as his daughter.<ref name="dinamalar"/> Vishnu was pleased by the penance and he wished the sage to get Lakshmi as his daughter.One day, he found a girl under a Tulasi plant in a garden in his ''Ashramam'' and was so beautiful thus named her '''Sundaravalli''' Which means ''the Beautiful girl''. Vishnu descended to earth as '''Sundararajan'''. He convinced Lakshmi to marry him and the couple eventually got married.<ref name="templesinindiainfo">{{cite web|title=Salem Alagirinathar Temple Timings, History|url=https://templesinindiainfo.com/salem-alagirinathar-temple-timings-history/|publisher=templesinindiainfo|accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref>
<gallery>
Entrance of Mandapa.jpg|Entrance of the Mandapa dedicated to Vishnu
Thulasimadam.B.jpg|Thulasi madam where Sundaravalli is said to be taken by Bhrigu Maharishi
</gallery>

==History==
The Temple is constructed in various periods by various kings. It is said that all the three main kingdoms [[Chera]], [[Chola]] and [[Pandya]]'s had worshiped this Lord with intense faith. There are beautiful sculptures in the temple walls and is very famous temple for the celebration of [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi]].<ref>https://tamil.abplive.com/spiritual/salem-vaikunda-ekadasi-special-vaipavam-was-held-at-kottai-alagirinathar-temple-tnn-94092</ref>

The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>[http://www.tnhrce.org/hrce_act_1959.html Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref>

[[File:Ramakoti.D.jpg|thumb|Sri Ramakoti sthapi [[Mandapa]]m]]

==Architecture==
The temple has beautiful sculptured pillars and there are many carving's of monkeys on the ceilings of the temple. It is one of the most oldest temples of the district and has 4 huge [[Mandapa]]s one for [[Lord Krishna]] and other two for ''Perumal'' and ''Thayar''. Apart from the shrines of Sundararaja Perumal and Sundaravalli Thayar there are separate shrines for [[Krishna|Venugopla Krishnaswamy]], [[Rama|Kothandaramaswamy]], [[Krishna|Santhana gopala Krishna]], [[Sudarshana|Chakrathazhwar]], [[Andal]], [[Alvars]] and ''[[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] Acharyars''. The temple has a huge '''Mirror Mandapa''' just like [[Srivilliputhur Andal temple]].<ref name="templesinindiainfo"/> There is a small garden where story's of [[Bhagavata Purana]] are portrayed in garden like surrounding and also has paintings of [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharatha]]. The temple has the ''swarga vasal'' which opens once a year during [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi]].<ref name="tamil.samayam.com">https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/salem/vaikunta-ekadasi-festival-celebrated-in-salem-kottai-alagirinathar-temple/articleshow/79952021.cms</ref>
<gallery>
Monkey on the roof.j.jpg|Sculpture of monkey on the temple
Perumal vimanam.S.jpg|Sundararaja Perumal's Vimanam
Vimanamof.L.jpg|Sundaravalli Thayar's Vimanam
</gallery>

==Religious significance==
It is considered as an ''Abhimana sthalam'' of [[Lord Vishnu]] and one of the [[Pancha kshethram]] Where [[Maha Lakshmi]] was born as ''Bhargavi''- the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The rest four temples of the [[Panch Kshethram]] are [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Oppiliappan temple]], [[Nachiyar Koil]] and [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]]. This temple is one of the most important temples of the [[Sri Vaishnavism]] sect of [[Hinduism]]. It is considered that [[Lord Hanuman]] had worshipped '''Sundararaja Perumal''' and also performed penance to become the next [[Brahma]].<ref name="dinamalar"/> There is a huge Statue of [[Lord Hanuman]] of 8 feet next to the Kodimaram.

==Festivals and religious practices==
The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' (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 sub-caste. 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 Sundararaja Perumal and Sundaravalli Thayar. 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. The temple priests celebrate several festivals throughout the year. The main festival celebrated in this sacred temple is Vaikunta Ekadashi.<ref name="tamil.samayam.com"/> Some other festivals which are celebrated by the temple priests include: Rama navami, Krishna janmashtami, Thiru aadipooram, Akshyathritheeya, Pavithrotsavam, Brahmotsavam, Puratasi, Navaratri, ''Pagal pathu'', ''Ra pathu'' and Deepavali.<ref>https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/salem/sita-kalyana-ceremony-was-held-at-salem-kottai-alagirinathar-temple-on-occasion-of-rama-navami/articleshow/90893539.cms</ref> Another special occasion in the Temple is Thirukalyanam of [[Andal]].
<gallery>
Venugopalaswamy.k.jpg|Utsava murti of Venugopalaswamy shrine of the temple during the festival Krishnajanmashtami
Yagami and homam.S.jpg|Vedic sacrifice called Homam in the Temple
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]

Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem - Revision history

Shailendra Sharma: Shared an engaging piece.