This temple is located five kms east of Kollumangudi which is on the trunk route between Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur. The Moolavar is Sri Sala shyana perumal in a reclining pose on Adhishesha facing south and the Thaayar is Sri Thirumamagal Naachiyar. The legend is a rishi by the name Sri Vyagrapadha prayed to Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram in order to obtain Moksha. Lord Sri Shiva told him to pray to Sri Maha Vishnu for he alone can give Moksha. Sri Nataraja also asked Vyagrapadha to follow him to this place where he then attained Mukthi. Since Vyagrapadha has the feet of a tiger (Pull), this place came to be known as Thiru Chiru Puliyur. This is the place where Lord Sri Garuda was given protection. A unique feature of this temple is, the idol of Sri Garuda is installed below the ground while the idol of Adhishesha rests on top of the gopuram. There is also an idol for Vyagrapadha installed near the feet of the Lord, which is worshipped daily. This place is also known for redressal from Naga Dosham. Thirumangaizhwar has sung in praise of this Lord.
Thiru Chirupuliyur is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. Thiruchirupuliyur also has known Thiru Sirupuliyur/Chalasayanam/Bala Vyagrapuram. This is one of the oldest Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu with two Praharams and 75ft height Rajagopuram.
Two old rishis, Yagapalar and Kanvar, prayed to Lord Shiva at Chidambaram asking for Moksham. Shiva directed them to go westwards to Srirangam, stating Vishnu was the one equipped with the powers to grant Moksham. Because of their poor eye sight, the Rishis instead went southward, lost their way and reached KripaSamudiram. Here, they prayed to Lord Vishnu saying that they were to come to Srirangam to invoke his blessings but have now lost their way and that he grant them Moksham. It is believed that that the Lord originally gave darshan to the Rishis as Lord Ranganatha (like in Srirangam) in his full form. Because of their old age, the rishis could not see, clearly, the big image of the Lord and hence the Lord gave darshan in a smaller form known as ‘Bala Sayanam’. The Lord KripaSamudran can be seen as a small kid in sleeping posture. Being the Lord in small form, this place is called Siru(small) Puliyur. A special feature of this temple is that this is one of the only two Divya Desams where the Lord in sayana kolam (sleeping posture) is facing the Southern direction, the other being Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.
Once Garuda (the Vaahanam of the Lord) and Adiseshan (on whom rests the Lord) got into an argument as to who was more powerful and devoted to the Lord. Seeing Garuda a little arrogant, Lord Vishnu went in favour of the Serpant God. Worried that Garuda might be angered at this, Adiseshan seeks Lord’s protection, upon which Lord asks him to roll himself and lie under him. It is said that as a result of this anger, Garuda never flies over this place. Another story goes that the aged Rishi Vyaakrapadha undertook penance at Chidambaram invoking the blessings of Lord Nataraja for attaining moksham. The rishi was directed to go westwards to Srirangam as Lord Ranganatha was the one equipped with the power to grant Moksham. Owing to his poor eye sight, the rishi lost his way, went southward and reached Kripa Samudiram. Unable to walk any further, he sat in penance at Sirupuliyur. The Lord appeared in his full sayana posture like the one in Srirangam. Since the sage was not able to take in the big form with his feeble eye sight, He appeared in the form of a child - Baala Sayana.
When Thiru Mangai Azhvaar visited this place, he is believed to have been quite disappointed as he found the Lord too small and like a kid. The Lord is said to have consoled him saying ‘ Come and see me in my full form at Thiru Kannapuram’. (ThiruKannapuram is about 25kms South West of this temple on the way to Thiruvarur)
Prathana:As this was the place where Kripasamudra Perumal accorded a special status to Adisesha by placing him above Garuda, this temple is of special significance for relief from Naaga Dosha and Kaala Sarpa Dosha. This is the only divya desam where there is a separate temple for Adisesha. Unmarried people and childless couple can also visit this temple for solution.
Temple Timings:07:00AM – 12:00 Noon and 05:00PM - 08:00PM.