Thiruvanpurushothamam Purushotama Perumal Temple, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Thiruvanpurushothamam, Purushotama Perumal |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thirunangur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Sri Van Purushothaman Temple,Thirunangur-609 106 Nagapattinam District |
| Phone | +91- 4364-256221 |
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 9.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
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 Purushothaman and Purushothama Nayagi.
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. 10 day Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Pavithra Utsav in Aavani Poornima day in August-September and Vaikasi Brahmotsavam during May – June are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Perumal for removal of delays and obstacles in marriage matters, for child boon and for achieving excellence in education. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Perumal with vastras.
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. |
Purushothama Nayaki fed Vykrapada Son:
Similar to the story of Mother Parvathi feeding Saivite child saint Tirugnana Sambandar with wisdom milk, Lord Perumal brought here the very milk ocean itself to feed a hungry child. Sage Vykrapada came to this temple with his child Ubamanyu, placed him at the entrance of the temple and went to pick flowers for Lord. The child began to cry for food which fell in the ears of Lord reclining in the milk ocean. He immediately created a milk ocean in this place. Mother Purushothama Nayaki fed the child with the milk.
Thiruppaarkadal Theertham:
As Lord Narayana gave generously the Thiruppaarkadal to Ubamanyu Maharishi, the theertham is known as Thiruppaarkadal Theertham.
Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimaanam:
Sanjeevi Mooligai (An herb) saved Lord Rama itself. So in order to indicate this, the Vimaanam of this place is named as Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimaanam.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thiruvanpurushothamam or Purushotama 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 temple is on the Sirkali-Nagapattinam route. The devotee has to get down at Annan Koil stop. The temple is 2 km eastward from this bus stop. Auto facility is available. 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 Van Purushothaman Temple,
Thirunangur-609 106
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91- 4364-256221