Therazhandur, once the capital of Karikala Chozha I, has been described beautifully by Thirumangai Azhwar in his Periya Thirumozhi Verses of the Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham.
Thirumangai Azhwar praises Therazhandur as a place where Vedic recital will be presented round the clock by Vedic seers, who performed fire sacrifices to bring rain to this region. In his verses, Azhwar describes the long and wide streets of Therazhandur as being beautiful with huge mansions and palaces, with rows of houses that had porticos where one never ceased to hear the dancing bells from the ankles of the beautiful ladies.
The place, where river Cauvery gushed with all its force, was fertile with groves, paddy fields, fishes that jumped all over in joy and punnai flowers all around. Therazhandur was always bubbling with activity and people were excited to come and witness the major festivals and the glittering procession of the Lord.
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Interestingly, Thirumangai also makes a mention of the Chariot festival that used to take place at the temple during his time. In one of the verses, he refers to ‘Dust arising from the Chariot Festival’ (Thugilin Kodiyum, Ther Thugalum……). We still find the chariot at the Eastern end of the temple and chariot festival continues to be celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.
Specifying the location of the Perumal temple at Therazhandur, Thirumangai indicates that the (Moolavar) Lord provided darshan standing tall with a conch and chakra from the Western end of Therazhandur (‘Azhandur Mel Thisai Ninra Ammaaney’).
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In his Thiru Nedunthaandagam verse, Thirumangai refers to the Lord as Aamaruviappan (Aa Maruvi Nirai Meiytha Amarar Komaan Ani - Azhandur Ninraanukku) the only verse where he names the Lord.