Tirukkulatar is class of Vaishnava devotees at Melukote in Karnataka. Thirukkulatars were denied entry into temples due to their low caste. They were allowed to enter the temple of Thirunarayana Swamy, built by Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE), at Melkote of Mandya district of Karnataka. Tirukkulatars were allowed for two days in a year to have darshan of Sriman Narayana. This system was introduced by the magnanimous Sri Vaishnava Acharya. Ishwara’s grace is one to all bhakas (devotees). Tirukkulatars are allowed to have darshana (sight) of Thirunarayana, the main deity of the temple along with Ramanujacharya, Pillai Lokacharya, Salvapillai (utsava deity) and Yadugiri Nachiyar (consort of the main deity).
People throng in numbers for grace on this day with utmost devotion. Usually this date falls four days after Vairamudi utsava, in which a crown studded with invaluable precious jewels and diamonds is place on the head of the deity. Sri Ramanujacharya went from Srirangam to Thirunarayanapuram in his seventy-second year and was helped by this Tirukkulatar community to carry out his mission. This reflects the Acharya’s boundless sympathy and concern for the downtrodden.