Ariyakudi is a Hamlet located midway between Karaikudi and Devakottai. In ancient times when the Pandiya Rulers dominated this part of their Empire Ariyakudi was called as Harikudi. Later Harikudi was slowly forgotten and the name Ariyakudi came to the forefront. Sri Tiruvengadamudayan Temple is located in Ariyakudi and the Rajagopuram comprises of 7 tiers and is East facing. Ariyakudi is well known for the Carnatic Musician Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar due to which several Devotees show their interest in coming here. On entering the Temple there is a Annadhana Koodam for the sake of Devotees and close to it is their Temple Office. Every day morning a Cow and a Calf from the Temple Ghoshala enter the Moolasthanam and the day begins with a Gho Pooja and Viswaroopa Dharisanam. In the multi pillared Mandapam there are seveal pillars which are gorgeously painted and in each of this pillar a Dasavathara Idol is embedded. Even the ceiling of the Temple is not spared and they too are colourfully decorated and painted. To begin with the Temple Vaahanam are stored in a multi pillared Mandapam. There is a Sangu, Chakaram and a Thirumann Srichurnam kept in one corner of the Temple. At the threshold of the Moolasthanam is a pair of Dwara Baalagas. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Tiruvengadamudaiyan, who is considered as a Swayambhu is East facing and in a standing posture with both His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi flanking Him. Close to the Moolavar Sannadhi the Idols of Viswaksenar, Senai Mudhalvar and Chakrathalwar are kept. The Thaayar Sannadhi is an exclusive one built on a multi pillared Mandapam. Sri Alarmel Mangai Thaayar too is seen East facing and the Urchavamoorthy of the Thaayar is kept closeby. Just before the Thaayar Sub Shrine two Dwara Baalakis Idols are kept as guards. Childless couple throng the Thaayar Sannadhi more often and Pray to Her and tie a wooden cradle just outside Her Sannadhi. There are Sub Shrines for Desikar and Lord Rama and both of these Sub Shrines are South facing. The Temple has a Sub Shrine for Aandal and Krishnan. This Temple cannot be circumambulated by the Devotees on all days. Instead on Vaikunda Ekadesi Days the Temple Staff remove the Barricades so that the Devotees can circumambulate. There is an exclusive Sorga Vaasal which happens to open only on Vaikunda Ekadesi days. The Temple has a Madapalli and one side of the Temple is the Garuda Theertham which is revered as a Sacred Tank or a Pushkarani. Though small this Sacred Tank is kept sparkling clean and on the miniature compound wall around the Sacred Tank a few Idols of Garudalwar are kept. Close to the Pushkarani the Moolai Garudan kept atop is eye appealing. There is a Yaaga Saalai for conducting Yaagam. Sevugan Chettiyar showed enormous interest in building this Temple by collecting funds and that is the reason as to why an Idol is kept in the name of Sevugan Chettiyar in this Temple. This Temple is not included in 108 Divya Desam but instead they call it as a Abhimana Sthalam. Few other Devotees refer this as Dakshina Thirupathi or Thennaga Tirupathi. Chittrai Thirumanjanam, Vaikasi Brahmmothsavam, Aadi Pooram, Purattasi Thiruvonam, Vaikunda Ekadesi and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated here with great fanfare during which time the Temple attracts a lot of Devotees from far flung areas too. 

The latest addition to Ariyakudi is Sri Jai Narasimha Temple located at a stone throw distance away from Thiruvengadamudaiyan Temple. On entering this Temple two coloured Idols of Lakshmi Narasimhar and Chakrathalwar are found close to the main door. The Moolavar here is Lakshmi Narasimhar who is seen in the Sanctum Sanctorum wiith Goddess Lakshmi on His lap. There is a Sub Shrine for Karya Siddhi Anjaneyar and Chakrathalwar. 

Contact Details: 04565 231299, 90433 32601 and Govindaraman 89030 23811

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 8.30 PM

Distance from Karaikudi to Ariyakudi is 5 Kms

Distance from Devakottai to Ariyakudi is 16 Kms

Distance from Pudukkottai to Ariyakudi is 50 Kms

Distance from Dindigul to Ariyakudi is 107 Kms

Distance from Ramanathapuram to Ariyakudi is 88 Kms

Distance from Dhanuskodi to Ariyakudi is 159 Kms

Distance from Rameswaram to Ariyakudi is 140 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Ariyakudi is 96 Kms

Distance from Thirupullani to Ariyakudi is 100 Kms

Distance from Kovilpatti to Ariyakudi is 194 Kms

Distance from Sivakasi to Ariyakudi is 169 Kms

Distance from Virudhunagar to Ariyakudi is 149 Kms

Distance from Devipattinam to Ariyakudi is 73 Kms

Distance from Uthrakosamangai to Ariyakudi is 105 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Ariyakudi is 422 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Karaikudi R.S.

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