Sri Neervannaperumal Temple

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Overview

The Thiru Neermalai temple is a Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple situated in Chengulpet District, Tamil Nadu, 4 Kms from Pallavaram Railway Station, i.e. about 7 Kms from Chennai.This Divyadesam is one among the sthalams found in Thondai Nadu. In this Sthalam, the Perumal is found in various positions as Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan and Nadanthaan Thirukkolam.The Lord appears in four poses representing three of his incarnations and the presiding deity is Sri Neelamugilvannan and the Goddess, Animamalarmangai. The Holy Spring is Suddha Pushkarani.

About the temple

It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as "Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram". In this temple, Muni Valmiki worshipped Eari Kidantha (Aranganathan), Iruntha (Narasimar), Nadantha (Thiruvikraman) Kola seva of the Perumal. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshman and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman.

About the deity

Moolavar and Thaayar

The Perumal gives his seva in four different positions. * Neervannar - Nindra Thirukkolam. * Lord Narasimhar - Irundha Thirukkolam. * Lord Ranganathar - Kidantha Thirukkolam. * Lord Thiruvikrama - Nadantha Thirukkolam. The Neervannar is found in Nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing his Thirumugham towards East direction. He is also named as Neelamugil Vannan. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar. Lord Ranganathar is found in Kidantha (lying) position facing his thirumugham towards South direction and the Sayana kolam is referred to as "Manicka Sayanam". He is lying on the Aadhiseshan under Ranga Vimaanam.

Thaayar

The Thayaar of this sthalam is Animaa Malar Mangai and has her own separate Sannadhi. According to Thirumangai Alwar, Thiruneer Malai is referred to: Thirunaraiyoor Nindra Thirukkolam Thiruvaali Narasiman (Irundha Thirukkolam) Thirukudanthai Aarai Amuthai (Kidantha Thirukkolam) Thirukoviloor Ulagalanthaan (ThiruVikrama kolam)

Mangalasasanam

* Thirumangai Alwar - 19 Paasurams * Bhudathalwar - 1 Paasuram Total - 20

Pushkarani

* Kshri includes Karunya, Sidha and Swarna Pushkarani. * Kshri Pushkarani for Kidantha Perumal. * Karunya Pushkarani for Nindra Perumal. * Sittha Pushkarani for Ulagalantha Perumal. * Swarna Pushkarani for Veetruntha Paramapatha Emperuman. The Pushkarani is found along with the Neerazhi Mandapam. In Kulakarai, Vasantha Mandapam is found.

Vimanam

* Ranga Vimaanam - Sri Ranganathar. * Santha Vimaanam - Lord Narasimhar. * Thoyagiri Vimaanam - Ulagalantha Perumal.Pujas are performed in accordance to Vaikanasa Agama rules. At the foothill, in the temple, Neervannaperumal appears as giving Darshan to Sage Valmiki, who had asked for his Darshan saying that he had completed the Epic Ramayana on him. On the top of the hill, he appears as Ranganatha, Trivikrama and Shanthanarasimha.

Legend

And according to the Vaishnava tradition, in the two temples, the Lord appears in the standing, sitting, lying and walking positions and Neervanna as Sri Rama is in the standing position. One of the 12 azhwars of the Vaishnava school, Thirumangai Azhwar, who sang hymns only on the Lord, also sang on Mother Animamalarmangai. Reminiscent of the Vamanavathara (Dwarf incarnation), the Lord is in the walking pose, asking where to place his third step after measuring all the worlds in two steps. Considerate of Prahlada who was afraid of his fury, the Lord appears in a calm and pleasant mood as Shantanarasimha and also as Balanarasimha. The Thousand tongued Adisesha who spreads himself as a mattress and covers the top with his head as an umbrella, the Lord is also seen in this temple in a lying pose with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, known as Ranganatha. The tank in the temple measures 3 acres and is called Suddha Pushkarani, Ksheera Pushkarani, Swarna Pushkarani and Karunya Pushkarani. Devotees bathe in the tank for cure from ailments, to get clarity of thought and prosperity. Some tied cradles to tress seeking the gift of children and women go around the hill praying for the removal of obstacles in marriage matters. This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" and also as "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as "Thiru Neermalai". Vaishnavite devotees hesitate to keep Lord Narasimha in the house for worship as he is known as a God of fury. Even Prahlada, his choice devotee trembled before him. Many believe that he would be passive only in the company of his Consort called Mother according to Vaishnava philosophy. At this temple at Thiruneermalai the Lord appears as a youth named Balanarasimha and showers his blessings on the devotees. This is one of the 108 Divaya Desas of Vaishnava shrines.

Accessibility

Air

The nearest airport is Chennai Meenambakkam.

Road

Tiruneermalai is 10 km far from Chennai Tambaram. Bus facility is available from Pallavaram. The temple is 5 km from Pallavaram.

Rail

Near By Railway Station is 4 Kms from Pallavaram Railway Station, Egmore.