Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) Continuation

Temple 5 - 11th July, 2026

The Sri Purushothama Perumal Temple,

widely known as Uthamar Kovil or Pichandar Kovil, is a famous 108 Divya Desam temple located in Uthamarkoil village, about 14 km from the Trichy central bus station.

The Trimurti Presence: This unique temple houses separate shrines for the Hindu Trimurti—Lord Vishnu (Purushothama Perumal), Lord Shiva (Bhikshadanar), and Lord Brahma—along with their respective consorts (Lakshmi, Parvati, and Saraswati) in one complex.

The legend is that, Lord Shiva was cursed for the sin of cutting one of Lord Brahma’s heads, and to get relieved from the sin he had to beg for food in Kabaalam (something like grail). The sin of Lord Shiva was partially released when he worshipped Lord Vishnu at Bhikshadana. And Lord Shiva fully relieved from his sin when he worshipped Lord Vishnu at Thirukandiyur when taking a holy dip in the temple tank. The Kabaalam got filled by Goddess Lakshmi at Thirukandiyur and so, in Purushothaman Temple Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma have separate Sannadhi and hence called as Mummoorthigal.

The other deities found in this Uthamar Kovil are Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Lord Nandheeswarar (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) and the idols of Navagrahas (the nine planets). As per the Tamil literature, Sri Purushothaman Perumal Temple (Uthamar Kovil) is said to be glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. This is one of the temple where six separate holy shrines of Gods with their consort Goddesses are worshipped in a single temple complex.

• Location: Trichy-Salem Main Road (near No. 1 Tollgate / Manachanallur), Bikshandarkoil, Tamil Nadu.

• Timings: Generally open from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM daily.

• Distance from Srirangam: Roughly 5 to 6 km north of the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Contact Nos: 0431-2591351 and 0431-2591405

(to be continued ...)