One of the oldest Divya Desams by inscriptional evidence, believed to have been built by the Pallava dynasty and later expanded by the Cholas, standing on a low rocky outcrop besi…
One of the oldest Divya Desams by inscriptional evidence, believed to have been built by the Pallava dynasty and later expanded by the Cholas, standing on a low rocky outcrop beside the Kaveri near Trichy.
Historians point to this as one of the earliest datable Divya Desams, with Pallava-era origins later substantially expanded during Chola rule; inscriptions found at the site have been studied for what they reveal about early medieval South Indian temple administration and land grants.
The temple is partly built into the natural rock of a low hill, a feature it shares with a number of early South Indian temples, with subsequent structural additions in a Dravidian style layered onto the original rock-cut elements over the centuries.
The temple is named for Pundarikaksha, meaning "lotus-eyed," a traditional epithet of Vishnu, and the site is closely tied to the Kaveri river's sacred geography in this stretch of the Trichy region.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning Darshan | 7:00 AM | 1:00 PM | Open | Morning darshan and rituals are conducted. |
Afternoon Break | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | Closed | Temple remains closed during afternoon hours. |
Evening Darshan | 3:30 PM | 8:00 PM | Open | Evening darshan and prayers are available. |
Temple Closing | — | 8:00 PM | Closed | Final rituals conclude the day. |
Pooja | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Ushathkalam Pooja | 7:00 AM | Free | Morning opening worship with traditional prayers. |
Kalasanthi Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Morning offerings and deeparadhana. |
Uchikala Pooja | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday worship with naivedyam offerings. |
Sayarakshai Pooja | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp ceremony and prayers. |
Irandamkalam Pooja | 7:00 PM | Free | Evening rituals and offerings. |
Ardha Jamam Pooja | 10:00 PM | Free | Final worship before closing. |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 10–20 minutes | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | ₹20 onwards | 5–10 minutes | Temple Counter |
Archana | ₹50 onwards | Immediate | Temple Counter |
Special Sevas | Varies | Advance Booking | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Archana Seva | Daily | ₹50 onwards | Individual prayers with deity offerings. |
Thirumanjanam | Morning | ₹500 onwards | Sacred bathing ritual with traditional offerings. |
Tulasi Archana | Daily | ₹100 onwards | Offering of Tulasi leaves during worship. |
Special Alankaram | Festival Days | Varies | Decorative worship with flowers and ornaments. |
Sankalp Pooja | On Request | Varies | Personalized prayers performed for devotees and families. |
Pongal Nivedyam | Special Days | Varies | Traditional food offering made during worship. |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Chithirai Brahmotsavam | March–April | Major annual celebration with processions, rituals, and temple festivities. |
Chariot Festival (Ther) | Chithirai Month (March–April) | Grand temple car procession attended by devotees from surrounding villages. |
Vaikunta Ekadasi | December–January | Special Vishnu worship with extended darshan and devotional programs. |
Panguni Brahmotsavam | March–April | Festival celebrations with special poojas and ceremonies. |
Gajendra Moksha Festival | April–May | Special observance with traditional rituals. |
Purattasi Saturdays | September–October | Special Vishnu prayers and offerings. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Chakkara Pongal | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet rice preparation offered during worship. |
Puliyodarai | ₹30–₹60 | Traditional tamarind rice prasadam. |
Ven Pongal | ₹30–₹60 | Savory rice preparation offered traditionally. |
Laddu | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet prasadam available on special occasions. |
Tulasi Theertham | Free | Sacred water distributed after darshan. |
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport (~15 km). Well connected by road from Trichy city.
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📍 Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620102
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Thiruvellarai.
Search Hotels on Booking.comTrichy city offers hotels across all budgets, a short drive from Thiruvellarai.
Srirangam, Uraiyur, and the other Trichy-area Divya Desams are all nearby.
