Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple

The Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple, also called the Amaruviappan temple, is in Therazhundur, a village 10 kilometres from Mayiladuthurai. It is dedicated to Vishnu as Amaruviappan, with Lakshmi as Sengamalavalli Thayar, and is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvar saints. Tradition says Karikala Chola built the first temple in the 1st century CE, with Chola additions in the 11th century. A granite wall encloses the shrines, and the temple tank lies opposite the main entrance.

The village name, 'where the chariot sank', comes from the legend of King Uparichara Vasu, whose flying chariot came down here and stuck fast. Another story says Brahma drove off Krishna's cattle, Krishna made a fresh herd, and Brahma, realising his mistake, asked him to stay here, which is why the deity is shown flanked by cattle. The temple follows the Vadakalai tradition, with six daily rituals, and its main festivals are the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam in May–June and Vaikuntha Ekadashi in December–January.