SREE SOUNDARARAJA PERUMAL, THADIKOMBU, DINDIGUL

SREE SOUNDARARAJA PERUMAL, THADIKOMBU, DINDIGUL

Thadikombu is 10 kms south of Dindigul and is on the Dindigul-Karur National Highway. The Sree Soundararaja Perumal temple, at Thadikombu is 500 years old and was built by King Achutha Devaraya.  This place was known as Thaalaampuri in those days.  It is said that King Achutha Devaraya, a descendent of Krishna Devaraya built this temple and the Siva temple at Tharamangalam with intricate sculptures in these temples.  The Rajagopuram with 5 tiers is of 90ft height.  

Lord Soundararaja with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi is in standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum.   A Sage on a curse as a frog (Mandookya), did penance on Lord Vishnu here to come out of the curse.  A demon, Thalasuran was harassing him during the penance.  On prayers of the Sage, Lord Vishu, Kallazhagar from Madurai destroyed the demon and as requested by the Sage, stayed here as Soundararaja Perumal.  Here too, the Lord goes to the riverbed of Kudaganaru similar to Vaigai river of Kallazhagar during Chithra Pournami. On each Tiruvonam star day, a deepam is lit at the feet of the Lord.  The Urchavar follows this deepam in procession and it is considered auspicious to have darshan of the same.  Hayagreevar and Saraswathi bless the devotees from separate sannidhis.  Honey abhishekam is done to Hayagreevar on Tiruvonam Star days.  Devotees offer Cardamom Mala to Hayagreever these days to overcome forgetfulness.   Devotees pray for their wards to shine in educat

                                         Sculptures in the temple in Anna Mandapa

Mother Soundaravalli graces from a separate shrine. Lord Vinayaka and Vishnu Durga and deities of prosperity – Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi graces at Her shrine. Mother’s shrine may well be called a museum of sculptures with the Ranga Mandapam nearby. The sculptures include Lord Vishnu measuring the three worlds, Lord Narasimha, Vaikundanathar, Venugopala, Lord Vishnu on Gaurda, Anjaneya carrying Lord Rama on his shoulders, Chakarathalwar, Oordhvathandavar (cosmic dance of Lord Shiva), Oordhvakali, Akora Veerabadra, Rathi and Karthaveeryarjuna.    Chakkarathazhwar is surrounded by Gayathri Devathas and on the rear Lord Narasimha is surrounded by Ashta Lakshmis.  Visvaksenar,  Irattai Vinayagar, Perumal's Dasavatharam, Lakshminarasimhar have separate sannidhis.

On the outer prakara, Lord Danvantri blesses devotees.  Herbal lekiam is offered for abhishekam to Lord Danvantri on Amavasyas (New Moon days).   

Swarna Akarshna Bhairavar in a separate sannidhi here is the speciality.  Special poojas are offered on all saturdays and sundays and ragukalas and krishnapaksha ashtami to Bhairavar.   The earlier practice was to keep the temple keys at the feet of Lord Bhairavar and close the temple.  It is believed the Bhairavar only keeps the safety of the temple.

Ten avatars of Vishnu, Dasavathram are depicted in Anna Mandapa also known as Ranga Mandapam, which features rare life size sculptures. The temple has two inscriptions dating from the Nayak period. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and enshrined within a granite wall.   A damaged inscription in the temple from the period of Rama Raya is found in the Garuda Mandapa. An inscription in the Sundara Pandya Madap indicates the conduct of marriage festival of Kallazhagar in Madurai. Other inscription mention that the people of Madurai consider Thadikombu as their northern settlement. 


                                         Vimana of Lord Soundararajan sannidhi

Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Adi, that is july-August.  Car festival takes place in the same month on the full moon day.  Sthala Vruksham is Vilva.

Temple Timings:

7.00 AM- 12.00 Noon

4.00 PM-  08.00 PM