Early medieval · Hindu · India

Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple

Koviladi, Tamil Nadu · 10.8394°, 78.8892°

Appala Ranganathar (Vishnu)Chola—Divya Desam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th-10th c. (Chola)

Chola

History & significance

A reclining-Ranganatha Divya Desam at Koviladi on the Kaveri near Tiruchirappalli, and the only one of the 108 where the sweet neyyappam is offered to the deity every night.

Sthala katha — the legend

Vishnu, disguised as a hungry old pilgrim, is said to have eaten king Upamanyu's entire food offering and been satisfied only by a pot of appam, lifting the king's curse.

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