Soundararaja Perumal Temple – Nagapattinam
Soundararaja Perumal Temple, one of the revered 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located in
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. In this sacred shrine, devotees worship Lord Vishnu as Soundararaja Perumal and Goddess Lakshmi as Soundaravalli. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu administers and maintains the temple.
About Soundararaja Perumal Temple
The temple reflects classic Dravidian architecture and stands as a fine example of South Indian temple design. Moreover, the Alwar saints praised this temple in the Divya Prabandham, a revered collection of Tamil hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Historians believe that the Medieval Cholas constructed the temple during the late 8th century AD. Subsequently, the Thanjavur Nayaks contributed to its expansion and upkeep, further enhancing its architectural grandeur. The temple features a majestic five-tiered gopuram enclosed within sturdy granite walls. In addition to the main deity, the temple houses shrines for Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Narasimha, and the guardian deities Lord Sumba and Lord Nigumba. According to Hindu tradition, this sacred site holds immense spiritual importance across all four yugas. It is believed that several divine beings performed intense penance here to attain the darshan of Lord Vishnu. Devotees also believe that Soundararaja Perumal appeared to Dhruva during the Treta Yuga, Sage Markandeya during the Krita Yuga, King Saleesa Chola during the Kali Yuga, and Goddess Bhooma Devi, further elevating the temple’s religious significance.
Temple Timings – Soundararaja Perumal Temple
The temple remains open from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Pooja Timings – Soundararaja Perumal Temple
| Pooja | Timings |
|---|---|
| Usha kalam | 7:00 AM |
| Kalasanthi | 8:00 AM |
| Uchikalam | 12:00 Noon |
| Sayaratchai | 6:00 PM |
| Irandan Kalam | 7:00 PM |
| Arthajamam | 10:00 PM |
Soundararaja Perumal Temple Festivals
The festivals observed in the temple are:
- Chittirai Utsavam – during the Tamil month of Chitirai (April to May)
- Nammazhwar Utsavam – during the Tamil month of Aani (June to July)
- Navaratri – during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September to October)
- Vaikunta Ekadasi – during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December to January)
- Vijayadasami – during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September to October)
- Uthirayanapunyakalam – during the Tamil month of Thai (January to February)
- Panguni Peruvizha – during the Tamil month of Panguni (March to April)
How to reach Soundararaja Perumal Temple
The temple is located about 3 kilometres south of Nagapattinam new bus stand. Nagapattinam is well connected to all major cities that include Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur. Nagapattinam Railway station is located very close to the temple. Trichy Airport is the nearest terminal (around 145 kilometres away).
Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam – FAQ
Where is Soundararaja Perumal Temple located?
Soundararaja Perumal Temple is located in Nagapattinam town in Tamil Nadu, close to the Bay of Bengal coast.
What is Soundararaja Perumal Temple famous for?
The temple is famous for Lord Vishnu worshipped as Soundararaja Perumal and is revered as one of the 108 Divya Desams praised in the hymns of the Alvars.
Who are the presiding deities of the temple?
Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Soundararaja Perumal, and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as Soundaravalli Thayar.
Is Soundararaja Perumal Temple a Divya Desam?
Yes, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams, making it an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu.
What is the best time to visit Soundararaja Perumal Temple?
The ideal time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant, especially during Vaikunta Ekadasi and other major temple festivals.