Sri Thamarayalkelvan Temple

Overview

The temple is situated in Thirunangur, Nagapatnam and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples.

About the Temple

Sri Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham and unlike the other temples revered by Thirumangai azhwar, this temple is revered by the other Azhwars. The poetry or mantra which is dedicated to each of the eleven temples by the legends is chanted in the respective temples even today. The Vimanam (temple tower) of Sri Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple is called Narayana Vimanam.

About the Deity

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal (Lord Vishnu), in a standing posture, facing towards the east direction. The other main deities of this temple are Goddess Thamarai Nayagi, the consort of Lord Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal, Lord Parthasarathi, the festival deity etc. During the Garudasevai Festival which is celebrated on the month of January, the festival deities of all the eleven temples associated to Lord Vishnu at Thirunangur are brought on ‘Garuda Vahanam‘ (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu).

Legend and Stories

The mythology says that Lord Shiva had a dance of destruction (Rudra Tandava) carrying half burnt body of Goddess Sati after Goddess Sati's self-immolation. To stop the dance of destruction performed by Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu threw His Chakra (Sudharshan Chakra) on Goddess Sati's body which dismembered Her body into 52 parts. And it is said that each time the hair of Lord Shiva touches the earth, there appeared eleven other forms of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu appeared in eleven forms as Lord Shiva did and solaced Lord Shiva saying that His dance of destruction may result in the destruction of entire creations on the world. The eleven forms of Lord Vishnu which appeared at Thirunangur is said to be where the eleven temples of Lord Vishnu are situated. Hence, the eleven temples at Thirunangur are very closely associated to each other in one way or the other. The other legend says that the story is associated to the great epic Mahabharatham, where the legend Arjuna, one of the five Pandava Brothers, was thirsty and was in search of water. He was unable to find water in the place around and was advised by the sage Lord Agastyar who was doing penance there, to worship Lord Krishna. As said by the sage Lord Agastyar, the legend Arjuna worshipped Lord Krishna and as a result Lord Krishna is said to offer him a sword. When Arjuna dig the ground with the sword, water rushed out resulting in a temple tank in that place called Katka Pushkarani. And it is also said that Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Lord Parthasarathy and initiated knowledge to Arjuna to make him understand the glory of Lord Krishna. Hence this place is called as Paarthanpalli (Arjuna's school).Arjuna's another name is 'Paarthan' and palli refers to 'School'.

Festivals

Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam and Garudasevai – January or February
Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam – May or June.
Theerthavari festival – July or august.

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.

Nearby Place To Visit

• Thanthondreeswarar Temple
• Neelakandeswarar Temple
• Pallavaneswarar Temple
• Aranyeswarar Temple
• Naganathar Temple

Accessibility

The nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 miles) away from the town. 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. 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.

Temple Address

Sri Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple,
'Thiru Paarthanpalli',
Thirunangur,
Nagapatnam district,
Tamilnadu.