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Thiruthetriyambalam Palli Konda Perumal Temple, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Thiruthetriyambalam Palli Konda Perumal |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thirunangur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Sri Senganmal Ranganathar Temple,Tiruthetri Ambalam, Thirunangur – 609 106,Nagapattinam District |
| Phone | +91- 4364 – 275 689 |
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. Of the Divya Desam temples, this is the only temple called ‘Ambalam’. It is located ½ km South East of Purushottamar Koil.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Prayers
It is strongly believed that devotees are elevated by the grace of Perumal to royal levels and prayers for such positions are immediately responded by the Lord. Devotees perform archanas to Perumal with Tulsi leaves offering sweet pudding – Sarkarai Pongal – as nivedhana.
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 Pallikonda Perumal and Shenbagavalli.
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. Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January (Margazhi) is grandly celebrated in the temple. Vaikasi Brahmotsavam in May or June is another festival celebrated in this temple 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. |
Sages who worshipped Vishnu here:
It is believed that several sages like Agastya, Bharadwaja, Gautama and Varuna performed penance at this place.
Arrival of Srirangam Ranganathar on request of Shiva:
It is believed that the presiding deity of Srirangam arrived here on the request of Shiva. It is referred as Ambalam, which in Malayalam means temple.
Vishnu slaying Hiranyakshan by taking Varaha Avatharam:
Demon Hiranyakshan took the earth and hid in the Padala Loka – the world below the earth. All the sages and Devas reached Lord Vishnu for protection and restoration of the world at its original place. Lord Agreed to take the Varaha incarnation – a colossal swine form with a horn at the nose. Mother Mahalakshmi said that what she could do if he leaves her. So asked Adisesha the divine serpent serving Lord as bed, umbrella etc.
Perumal advised them to go to Palasavanam and meditate upon him. He said that Lord Shiva also would join them and promised that he would be back after destroying the demon. Lord Perumal also said that this place would be called Tiruthetri Ambalam in Kaliyuga-the present period. Adding, Perumal said that staunch devotee Sri Bashyakarar would bring 108 scholars initiated to Vaishnavism to this place and that he would take care and protect all beings.
Lord left for Padala Loka, destroyed the demon, rescued earth and placed it in its own place. Lord came to Palasavanam as promised to Mother Mahalakshmi and Lord Shiva and granted his darshan. He also relaxed here after the war with the demon half closing his handsome red eyes. Hence, Perumal is praised as Senganmal Ranganathar – Lord with red eyes.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thiruthetriyambalam or Palli Konda 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. This Temple is located ½ km South East of Purushottamar Koil. 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
Sri Senganmal Ranganathar Temple,
Tiruthetri Ambalam,
Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91- 4364 – 275 689