Tirumanimadam Narayanan Temple

Overview

The Tirumanimadam Narayanan Temple is located in Tirunangur and is dedicated to God Tirumanimadam Narayanan. Nanda Vilakku means the lamp which gives light continuously. Here, the perumal stands as this Nanda Vilakku giving the Pranava Gyana oli i.e. Pranavam means the word "Om" which is the key sound of the whole universe. The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Narayanan. The Moolavar is in the Irundha (Sitting) Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards east direction.

About the temple

The Thaayar of this sthalam is Pundariga Valli Thaayar. The Utsavar found in this sthalam is Narayanan. He is also Known as Alatharku Ariyan. The two theerthams here are Indra Pushkarani and Rudhira Pushkarani. The Vimanam here is named as Pranava Vimaanam. One can see the Ekadasa Rudhirar - Ajaykapathan, Aahirputheyan, Binanai, Roodhar, Pithuroopar, Thriyambakar, Maheswarar, Virushakabi, Shambuvahanar, Easwarar - here.

About the Deity

The Principal deity is Lord Narayanan.

Legend and stories

Ajaykapathan was once the carrier of God Shiva who was having 4 mouths, 1000 shoulders, Karala Vadhanam, ears with shell earrings and 100 legs. Aahirputheyan is the son of Maharishi Boothan and Surabi. Binaki is actually a bow which was formed by God Indra. Once Kanva Maharishi who brought up Shakuntala was in a deep prayer and was covered by sand dunes. Bamboo trees started to grow on the top and seeing the finest quality of these bamboos, God Indra created 3 bows out of them. He named the first one as Kandibam and kept it for himself. The other one was named Shargam and was given to God Narayana and the third one was named Binaki and was given to God Shiva. Maheswarar has the body and ornaments as God Shiva but is of white colour. As God Narayana gave his darshan to God Shiva who was relieved from the sin of killing God Brahma. Narayana gave these Ekadasa Rudhirars his special darshan too. Once saint Dhurvasan gave a garland which was used in the worship of Goddess Lakshmi to God Indira. But he took the garland carelessly and put it on his Elephant Iravadham. The garland was smashed under the feet of this Elephant. The saint got angry and cursed God Indra that all his wealth would disappear in the sea. It happened as expected. Later the Devas churned the milk ocean and received Goddess Lakshmi's blessings the following day. So that particular day of churning was named as Ekadasi and the next day as Dhuvadasi. After regaining his wealth, God Indra got the dharsan of God Narayana at this place. All the 11 Divyadesams of Thirunaangur was created to relieve God Shiva from his Brahmahati dhosam. Usually the Nanda vilaku is kept in a beautiful Maadam i.e. a structure used for placing camps and hence this place is known as Mani Maada Kovil containing the God as camp in it.

Festivals

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 (palaquin) 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 Kumudavalli 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.

Arti/Pooja/seva

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, 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 Narayana Perumal and his consort Pundarikavalli. 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

Significance

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periazhwar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar

Accessibility

It’s about 5 miles away from Seerkazhi. 3.5 kms from Thiru Paarthanpalli

Address

Tirumanimadam Narayanan Temple,
Tirunangur,
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu