Thirumanimadam Narayanan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Thirumanimadam Narayanan |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thirunangur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Thirumanimadam (Narayanan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur, Nagapattinam District |
| Phone |
It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis and is closely associated with Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day. The Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam celebrated annually during the Tamil month of Thai is the major festival of the temple during which the festival images of the eleven Thirunangur Tirupathis are brought on mount designed like Garuda, called Garuda Vahana, to Thirunangur.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day.
Pooja Timings
- Ushathkalam Pooja – 8 a.m.
- Kalasanthi Pooja – 10:00 a.m.
- Sayarakshai Pooja – 5:00 p.m.
- Ardha Jamam Pooja – 7:00 p.m.
Architecture
Festivals
The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamilnadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 7:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Narayana Perumal and his consort Pundarikavalli.
During the worship, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai, the festival deity of Thirumangai Azhwar is brought to the temple from Thiruvali-Thirunagari. The Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
The highlight of the festival is Garudasevai, an event in which the festival images of the eleven Thirunangur Tirupathis are brought on mount designed like Garuda, called Garuda Vahana, to Thirunangur. The festive image of Thirumangai Azhwar is also brought on a Hamsa Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these eleven temples are recited during the occasion.
The festival images of Thirumangai Alvar and his consort Kumudhavalli Naachiyar are taken in a palanquin to each of the eleven temples. The verses dedicated to each of the eleven temples are chanted in the respective shrines. This is one of the most important festivals in the region which draws thousands of visitors. Vaikasi Brahmotsavam celebrated during the month of May or June is another important festival celebrated here with much fanfare.
Legend / Local stories
Vishnu appearing in eleven forms on Shiva request:
The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place.
On seeing Vishnu, Shiva’s anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides.
The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
| Thirukavalampadi | Gopalakrishnan along with Rukmini and Satyabama. |
| Thiruvannpurushothamam | Purushothaman along with Purushothama Naayaki. |
| Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil | Perarulalan along with Allimaamalar Naachiyar. |
| Thiru Devanar Thogai | Deiva Naayagan along with Kadal Magal Naachiyar. |
| Thiru Mani Koodam | Varadharaja Perumal along with Thirumagal Naachiyar and Bhoomi Piratti. |
| Thiru Paarthanpalli | Thamarai Kelvan along with Thamarai Naayaki, in standing posture in all the above Kshetrams. |
| Thirumanimaada Kovil | Narayana Gyana Nandha Vilaku along with Pundarigavalli. |
| Thiruvaali Thirunagari | Amrudhavalli Vedharajan, Narashimar along with Amrudha Kada valli. |
| Thiru Vaigunda Vinnagaram | Vaigunda Nadhan along with Periya Piratti. |
| Arimeya Vinnagaram | Kudamaadu Koothan along with Amrudha Kada valli, in sitting posture in above 4 Kshetrams. |
| Thirutheythri Ambalam | Shenkann Maal along with Sengamalavalli, in sleeping posture of the type Bhujanga Sayanam. |
Vishnu teaching himself:
Nara Narayanar is the form of Lord who is a student as well as a teacher simultaneously, teaching Gnana to himself. Lord Naarayanan of Manimaada Kovil stands as Nara Narayana of Bhadhrinath who taught Gnana to himself.
Nanda Vilakku:
Nanda Vilakku means the lamp which gives light non-stop and usually it is kept in a beautiful Maadam, a structure used for placing lamps. This place is known as Mani Maada Kovil with the temple as the Maadam and Perumal as the Nanda Vilakku spreading the light of Pranava Gnanam to the world.
People who worshipped Vishnu here:
Indra worshipped Lord Vishnu here and got the Dharsan of Lord Narayana. It is also believed that Lord Badri Narayanar came down to bless Sage Matangar. Prathyaksham is given for Lord Indra and Ekadasa Rudhrars.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thirumanimadam or Narayanan Perumal Temple. It’s about 5 miles (8 kms) away from Sirkazhi. It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis.
By Road:
The place is 8 km far from Sirkali. Buses are available only at specific hours. The visitor may reach Sirkazhi – Annankoil. The temple is 2 km from here. There are buses from Mayavaram / Sirkazhi that goes past Thiru Nangur. Direct special buses are available only on special occasions. If you are going in car it is 20 kms from Mayavaram and 8 kms from Sirkazhi.
The road leading to this village is narrow and you might miss the turning from the main road if you are not watchful. Extensive network of roads connect it to Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Pondicherry, Thanjavur and all other major cities. Nagapattinam is located at a distance of about 330kms from Chennai by Road.
By Train:
Nagapattinam railway junction connects Thiruvarur in the west, Nagore in the north, Velankanni in the south and Karaikal in the east. There is a daily express train to Chennai via Mayiladuthurai and Ernakulam via Coimbatore and it connects all major cities. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkazhi.
By Air:
The nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 miles) away from the town.
Contact Details
Thirumanimadam (Narayanan Perumal Temple),
Thirunangur, Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91- 4364 – 256 424 / 275 689
Mobile: +91 – 94439 85843