Andalakkum Aiyan Temple, Thiru Adhanur

01Wages in sand

The temple katha tells of a wealthy devotee who wished to serve Ranganatha and spent everything on a temple, while some of his workers cheated him. Penniless, he dreamt of the Lord, who told him to bring a marakkal, a grain measure, and all his workers to the bank of the Kollidam. There an old man measured out sand to each. For those who had worked, it became precious stones; for those who had shirked, it stayed sand. When the angry shirkers chased him, the old man showed his true form. So he is Andalakkum Aiyan, the master who measures and rules, and in the sanctum he rests his head on the marakkal. Kamadhenu is said to have worshipped here, and is carved with her calf Nandini.

02Like Srirangam

The forms here mirror Srirangam, the Perumal half-asleep on Adisesha, and tradition says the temple once had seven prakarams like its great neighbour, lost over time. The Pranava Vimanam rises over the sanctum, and a three-tiered gopuram stands at the entrance. Thirumangai Alvar sings of Adhanur in a single pasuram, and the temple katha says the Lord appeared to the Alvar here. Hanuman is honoured as Veera Sudarshana Anjaneya, and footprints in the temple are shown as Rama’s, who came after hearing of Hanuman’s visit.

The life of this place