Arulmigu Soundararaja Perumal Temple
அருள்மிகு சௌந்தரராஜப் பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில்
Lord Sree Vishnumaya Swamy · Thadikombu, Tamil Nadu
Ancient
About the temple
World-renowned as the premier "Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar" pilgrimage center in South India; famed for its astonishing Vijayanagara-Nayaka monolithic musical pillars and sculptures of Manmatha, Rati, and Trivikrama; where Sage Mandavya was cured of leprosy and curses. Traditional belief: Supreme relief from crushing financial debts, sudden wealth attraction (Swarna Akarshana), cure of chronic illnesses through Dhanvantari, and matrimonial harmony.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:30
- Established
- 16
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Sree Vishnumaya SwamyLord Maha Vishnu
- Deity form
- Exquisite standing stone vigraha of Lord Soundararaja holding Shankha and Chakra; world-famous stone shrine of Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar with golden luster
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Vaishnava Agamic Tradition & Swarna Akarshana Wealth Heritage
- Sanskrit name
- श्री सौन्दरराजपेरुमाळ् मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Thadikombu Perumal Temple, Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar Temple Thadikombu, Vijayanagara Temple Thadikombu
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- Special days
- Ashtami Theipirai (Waning Ashtami), Vaikunta Ekadashi, Chithirai: 04:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Festival timings
- Open continuously till 11:00 PM on Theipirai Ashtami and Vaikunta Ekadashi
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:00 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 06:00 PM
- Night aarti
- 8:15 PM
- Special aarti days
- Theipirai Ashtami, Saturdays, Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar Yajna, Special Ash Gourd (Poosani) lamp lighting, Chariot procession
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:15 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Thirumanjanam performed on Saturdays for Perumal and on Theipirai Ashtami for Bhairavar at 07:00 AM
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Vijayanagara Emperor Achyuta Deva Raya and Madurai Nayaka King Tirumala Nayaka
- Architect / builder
- Master sculptors of the royal Madurai and Vijayanagara guild
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed dark granite, chlorite schist carved pillars, brick-mortar Rajagopuram
- Historical events
- King Achyuta Deva Raya was cured of severe royal illness by praying to Lord Soundararaja and Dhanvantari here, endowing the grand sculpted mandapa
- Renovations
- Protected and developed under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new marble walkways and renovated Rajagopuram
- Archaeological importance
- Houses some of the finest high-relief monolithic figure sculptures in Tamil Nadu (comparable to Krishnapuram and Madurai)
- Legends
- Sage Mandavya performed intense penance on the banks of Kudaganaru to overcome physical distress; Lord Vishnu appeared and blessed him with radiant beauty (Soundara)
- Inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions in Tamil and Telugu detailing grants by Achyuta Raya and Tirumala Nayaka
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Circa 1560 - 1620 CE
- Structure
- Spacious walled temple complex with five-tiered entrance Rajagopuram, sculpted Mahamandapa, Soundaravalli Thayar shrine, and Bhairavar sanctum
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Five-tiered 75-foot entrance Rajagopuram decorated with colorful stucco sculptures of Vishnu legends and Alwars
- Mandapa
- The world-famous sculpted Mahamandapa supported by monolithic granite pillars bearing life-size sculptures of Manmatha, Rati, Trivikrama, and Narasimha
- Sculptural features
- Standing stone murti of Soundararaja Perumal; the celebrated idol of Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar holding gold vessel; monolithic musical pillars producing resonant notes
- Artistic elements
- Intricate stone chains, hollow stone balls inside lion mouths (Yali), and delicate floral ceiling panels
- Construction technique
- Dry-stone interlocking monolithic granite masonry of superhuman carving precision
- Unique features
- The presence of Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar (traditionally a Shaiva deity) within a Vaishnavite temple, worshipped with ash-gourd ghee lamps to alleviate debts
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Monthly Krishna Paksha Ashtami (Theipirai Ashtami), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi
- Special celebration days
- Every Saturday, Theipirai Ashtami, Ekadashi
- Cultural events
- Classical Carnatic vocal concerts, Nadaswaram recitals, and devotional bhajans during Chithirai Brahmotsavam
- Annual events
- Soundararaja Perumal Maha Rathotsavam drawing over 100,000 devotees across Tamil Nadu
- Peak crowd season
- Throughout the year on every Theipirai Ashtami, Purattasi Saturdays, and winter holidays
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 100+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.