Thiru Adhanoor Divyadesam is located near Swamilai Swaminadha Swamy Temple- One among the Six Abodes of Lord Murugan in Kumbakonam, which is one of the Sree Vaishnava Guru Parikara Sthalam. Moolavar is Andalakkum Ayyan, Facing East in His Bujanga Sayanam.

He was worshipped here by Sage Brighu, Kamadhenu, Thirumangai Azhwar and Lord Agni. Goddess is Ranganayaki Thayar also worshipped as Kamalasini. Uthsavar as Sree Ranganathar. Temple Rajagopuram is of three tiered structure. It is the One of the Two Divyadesams where Devotees can worship Thirumana Pillars on Either Sides of the Almighty inside the Sanctum.

The Legend for the Name - Adanur

Kamadhenu, a divine goddess came ahead of Goddess Mahalakshmi from Parkadal. Hence she felt that she should be honored by everyone first and foremost ahead of Lakshmi Devi. Lord Paranthaman decided to teach her a lesson and gave Marakkal ( In olden days in Tamilnadu food grains were used to be measured in a Cylindrical shaped container made of wood, brass, iron etc … commonly called as Padi ) and asked to fill with all the Ayshwaryam she was having. Kamadhenu was failed to fill because of her envy, where as Lord Lakshmi Devi filled the Marakkal by praying the Almighty and just with One Leaf of Thulasi. Kamadhenu learnt a lesson, surrendered herself to Him and started a Penance. Hence this place is being worshipped as Adhanoor - Aa Than Oor. Aa means Cow, Kamadhenu. Than means Penance and Oor means a Residing Place.

Thirumangai Azhwar and Srirangam Pragarams

One of the 12 Azhwars, Thirumangai Azhwar had a divine dream when he was in the process of constructing huge pargarams for Srirangam Divyadesam. Once when he was short of money to proceed, he had a dream and asked to go to Athanoor for getting required funds. He immeadiately went to Adhanoor and found a business man with an Empty Marakkal holding in his hand. He said that he was a messaenger of Sreeman Narayanan. Thirumagai asked him for the required funds.

Businessman agreed to pay with a condition that, he will offer the funds to the labours with Sand of Marakkal. Adi Pooram, Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi Month and Pavitrotsavam in Avani Month are the important festivals. The sculpture of Lord Maha Vishnu on the temple vimanam among three Boodha Ganas and the idol has been growing in years. If they were sincere the sand will turn into Gold otherwise it will remain as sand only. Thirumangai agreed and noted that most of the labours got only sand and only few got Gold.

Surprised Thirumangai with huge curiosity of knowing who was this business man followed him and had a very long chase. The merchant finally entered into this temple. But chasing Thirumangai did not see that merchant at all where but had a darshan of Lord Ranganathar with a Marakkal and an Ezhuthaani (A Writing Pen).Here in Adhanoor Lord Andalakkum Ayyan is blessing the devotees in an Anantha Sayanam Posture with a Leaf Pen and a Marakkal. Alonside devotees can worship Birugu Mahirishi, Agni Devan (Lord Agni) and Kamadhenu with her Daughter Nandini, Thirumnagai Azhwar can be worshipped in Garbagraha - Sanctum Sanctorum.

Sage Birugu Muni and the Sacred Garland

Once Birugu Muni went to Vaikundham to worship the Almighty along with Goddess Lakshmi Devi. Pleased Goddess gave him a Special Graland which will be Greenish Forever. When Birugu was returning thought of going to Indra Loga to worship Indiran. He went there and gave him that Garland. But Indhran was not respecting that Holy Garland and gave that to his Vahanam Iravatham. without knowing the value of the Garland, the poor Iravatham thrown that down and stamped on it.

Angered Sage Birugu cursed Indiran. Frightened Indiran went to Goddess Lakshmi Devi and begged to save from the curse. Goddess told him to go to Athanur and do a Penance towards the Almighty. Later Goddess Lakshmi Devi was born as a child and Birugu Muni took her from the Temple Tank. Hence Thayar here is being worshipped as Bhargavi, daughter of Birugu. Few years later, the Almighty came down here and married her and as promised and washed off all the Sins of Indiran. Hence devotees can even now see Indiran worshipping the Almighty and Thayar here.

It is the One of the Two Divyadesams where Devotees can worship Thirumana Pillars on Either Sides of Moolavar inside the Sanctum Sanctorum. The other one is Srirangam Once Lord Paranthaman was annoyed with the Nithyasooris in Paramabadham he left from there and came down to this earth without Lakshmi Devi, Adhiseshan and others. When he was sleeping on earth, Lakshmi Devi sent Adhiseshan to take care of Lord Vishnu as he was sleeping on the earth. Adhiseshan came down and worshipped the Almighty to bless him by sleeping on his Couch. Almighty then performed Samasrayanam to Adhiseshan here in Adhanoor..