Thiruppaarthanpalli Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Thiruppaarthanpalli Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thirunangur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | – |
| Phone | – |
Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple or Thiruppaarthanpalli is located close to Thirunangur, a small village, 8 km east of Sirkali en route to Thiruvenkadu and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Thamaraiyaal Kelvan and his consort Lakshmi as Sengamalavalli.
It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis and is closely associated with Thirumangai Alvar. It is also the only temple in the Nangur divyadesams to have revered by an azhwar other than Thirumangai Alvar. As per Hindu legend, the temple tank for dug by Arjuna from the age of Mahabaratham. Krishna appeared as Parthasarathy to Arjuna here and initiated his education, leading to the name of the temple.
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.
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 Tamaraiyan Kalvan and Sengamalavalli.
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. The annual Theerthavari festival is celebrated during the New moon day of Tamil month of Aadi when the festival deity of the temple is taken in a procession to the sea at Poompuhar. 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 Garuda Sevai, 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 Bhrammotsavam is celebrated during May or June. Every year during the Tamil Month Thai, on the Pushya Nakshatram day, an utsavam of the pushkarani is celebrated.
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
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. |
Krishna taught Arjuna here:
Padmapurana details the legend associated with the temple. As per Hindu legend, Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata reached this place on a pilgrimage. He was thirsty and sought water from sage Agastya who was doing penance. There was no water with the sage and all places around. Agastya realised that it was the trick of god Krishna, who was the Lord of Arjuna. He advised Arjuna to pray Krishna, who did accordingly. Krishna was pleased with the prayer of Arjuna and offered him a sword.
Arjuna dug the land with the sword which resulted in a gush of water resulting in the Katka Pushkarani, the temple tank. Arjuna is depicted in the temple sporting a sword, following the legend. Krishna also appeared to Arjuna as Parthasarathy and initiated his knowledge to understand who he actually was. Since Parthasarathy initiated education here for Arjuna, the place is called Paarthanpalli (Parthan + Palli, meaning school of Arjuna).
People who performed penance here:
It is believed that several sages like Agastya, Bharadwaja, Gautama and Varuna performed penance at this place.
Varuna got relieved of Brahma Hathi Dhosham here:
Varuna, the Rain God, once stole the wife of Bhragaspathi, the Devaguru and was caught by the Brahma Hathi Dhosham. He got relieved of it by praying to Lord here.
Sharma Sloga:
It is said that the meaning of the Sharma sloga, the Gota slogam (“Sharva Dharman….”) was got at this place only.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thiruppaarthanpalli or Thamaraiyaal Kelvan 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
Official Address