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அருள்மிகு திரிவிக்கிரமன் திருக்கோயில், காழிச்சீராம விண்ணகரம், சீர்காழி.

Lord Trivikrama appears in the sanctum sanctorum with His left leg above His head, showing the right hand as if to receive the Dhan and a finger of the left hand as if asking for the next one foot land promised to him.  This is the Trivikrama form of Lord Vishnu.  

The deity  taken out for procession, Thadalan, is kept nearby.  He is also praised as Thavittu Panai Thadalan.

Thal in Tamil means Earth or World, Aalan means the ruler.  As the Lord scaled the world with His Foot, Sri Andal called Him Thadalan.  The verses of Sri Andal are pieces of delight with sweet melody of Tamil coupled with their spiritual content.  

Lord Vishnu’s handsome chest is the abode of Mother Sri Mahalakshmi.  In this temple, the Mother is holding the Lord on Her chest.  As the Lord stands here with one leg on the ground, to help Him balance, the Mother is holding the Lord so that He should not feel the pain of standing by one leg.  The Kausthuba gem chain on the Lord’s chest is therefore on that of Mother, a rare darshan. 

There was a time when the temple was left without proper care.  During those days, an old woman kept the procession deity Thadalan hidden in a husk pot-Thavittu Panai in Tamil, performed pujas and worshipped Him. 

Saint Tirumangai Azhwar came to this place along with his disciples singing the glory of the Lord.  People there requested them to pass without making noise.  But they refused and continued singing.  A war of words began. 

It was decided to have a debate the next day between Sambandar, the great devotee – poet of Lord Shiva and  Tirumangai Azhwar.  The Lord appeared in the dream of Azhwar and asked him to get Thadalan from the old woman, pray to Him and go for the debate.

Sambandar asked Tirumangai Azhwar to say a Kural.  Kural in Tamil means a dwarf. The Lord came to Mahabali as a Kural and became Trivikrama then.  Having this theme, Azhwar began his song with the word Kural and sang 10 verses, describing the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.  Sambandar was very happy and rewarded Azhwar his Vel and also an anklet.

Tirumangai Azhwar restored the temple to its original glory then. He sang in praise of the Lord, the Mother, and Thadalan.

Lord Brahma, the creator, grew proud of his boon of longevity spanning many Yugas.  Lord Vishnu decided to teach him a lesson.  Sage Romesa performed penance here for the darshan of the Lord Vamana-Trivikrama form, scaling the whole world with one Foot up.  

Granting his wish, the Lord told the sage that he would live longer than Brahma whose longevity would be reduced by a year if and when one hair fell from his body.  Brahma understood that Lord has indirectly taught him a lesson and shed his pride.  Thus, the Lord graced this place with His Trivikrama form.

Lord Perumal in His Vamana Avatar form is in the front mandap with his right hand receiving alms, holding an umbrella in His left hand and wearing the Salagrama garland.  

The temple is located in the holy town of Sirkazhi in Mayiladuthurai district. Thirumangai Azhvar was initiated by Saiva Kuravar Sambandar to praise the Almighty through Pasurams. The God in the temple is praised as Mann alantha Tadalan meaning the one who measured the land. The name Tadalan is in honour of Tiruvikrama (Vamana) form and the moolavar (prime deity) fixed in the central shrine is in this form. The presiding deity, Tiruvikrama, appeared for sage Ashtakoma.

The temple has a rectangular plan with the sides of the temple covered by tall brick walls. The temple tower, the rajagopuram has a three-tiered structure. The sanctum is approached from the gateway tower through a flagpost, altar, an elevated hall and two other halls namely the Mahamandpa and the Ardhamandapa. The sanctum houses the stone image of Trivikrama in standing posture and also has various other metal images. The shrines of Lokanayagi is located in a shrine around the first sanctum in the north western corner beyond the sanctum and the shrine of Andal is located on the other corner. The temple tank, Chakra Theertham, is located behind the temple.