In and Around Trichy |





 |
In and Around Thanjavur |






|
Around Kumbakonam |







|
Around Mayiladuthurai |



 |
|
Seerkazhi - Thirunangur |












 |
Around Nagappattinam |


 |
In Chidambaram |
 |
The Great Alwars |











 |
|
Thirumanimadakoil Nandha Vilakku Divyadesam - Pundareehavalli Samedha Nara Narayana Perumal - As Equal to Worship Badri |
|
|
Thirumanaimadakoil - Thirumangai Azhwar praising the Perumal as Nandha Vilakku Perumal, means The Moolavar of Thirumanimaadakoil stands as a lamp which spreads Gnana - Wisdom to the entire world. Hence the ALMIGHTY is worshipped as Swayam Prakasha Perumal and Swayam Prakasha Gnanam. Nadha vilakku means the lamp which gives out the light continuously.
Once Dhurvasa Mnui received a Holy Garland from Goddess Maha lakshmi, which was then handed over Indhiran, when Dhurvasar visit Indhra Loham. Without knowing the value of the garland, Indhiran gave that too his Iravadham ( His White Elephant ). The poor elephant smashed the garland, which was noticed by Dhurvasar. Angry sage cursed Indhiran, hence Indhiran lost all his wealth and powers. As a remedy along with Asuras he started Churning the Milky Ocean on Ekadhasi Thidhi and the next day on Dhuvadashi Thidhi he got all his wealth back. As he worshipped ALMIGHTY here, temple pushkarini is known as Indra Theertham.
The Legend says that once Devas wanted the ALMIGHTY to tell them the meaning of Thirumandhiram as he did in Badri, Pleased Paranthaman fulfilled their wish here in Thirumanimadam. Nara Narayanar is the dual form of Lord Vishnu who act as a teacher as well a student at the same time As a teacher HE teaches Thirumandhiram to HIMSELF. Naran means a common man, as HE listens to Thirumandhiram. Narayanan, the Lord as HE teaches Thirumandhiram. Nara Narayanan is the Perumal of Badri who taught Thirmandhiram to HIMSELF. Hence both the Divyadesams are considered equal and here the ALMIGHTY is being worshipped as equal as Nara Narayanan of Badrinath. Thirumangai Azhwar praises HIM as “Nadha Vilakke, Alaththarkariyai Nara Narayanane”.
|
|
Thirunangur Garudasevai Festival - Once there was a dispute between and Parvathi and Lord Shiva. Angry Shiva performed HIS Rudhra Thandavam here. When ever HIS locks touched the ground, a New Shiva appeared. Thus 11 ( Ekadhasa ) Rudras appeared. The whole Rishis and Devas requested Paranthaman to pacify Lord Shiva. Pleased ALMIGHTY appeared here as Paramapadhanathan. By seeing the ALMIGHTY as Paramapathanathan Lord Shiva became calm and requested the ALMIGHTY to take eleven forms as he pacified 11 Rudhras. The ALMIGHTY accepted his request and appeared in 11 forms in all the 11 Thirunangoor Divyadesams. Thereafter The remaining 10 Perumals from other Divyadesams assemble here in Thirumanimadakoil in a grand yearly festival called as “Thirunangoor Garuda Sevai”. A grand festival here in Thirunangur which is being celebrated on the next day (Pradhamai Thidhi) to Thai Amavasai, falls in the months of December and January. It is believed that Legend says that all the 11 Perumals from the nearby Thirunangur Divyadesams assemble together Only to be Hymned by Thirumangai Alwar.
There is a window in the Moolasthanam with 3 porthholes through which Sun Shines on the Face of Nara Narayanan every day. Moolavar is made of soothai and Thailakaappu is being performed only on the Day of Amavaasai ( New Moon Day ) in the month of Aadi. Utsavar is Blessing with Prayoga Chakra - The Sudharshana Chakra in the form of use. Mollavar is with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi in HIS Sitting Posture and all of them have one leg folded and the other legs on the Lotus. It is believed that worshipping the ALMIGHTY here in Thirumanimadakoil is equal to worship HIM in all 11 Divyadesams in Thirunagur. On Thai Month Thirunangur Garuda Sevai Festival, Thirumangai Alwar appears on Hamsa Vahanam offers Garlands to all Eleven Perumals and hymn his Pasurams of the respective Perumals one by one. The Brindhavanam of Thirukostiyur Nambhi is established here. |
|
Moolavar |
Nandha Vilakku Perumal, Nara Narayanan |
Utsavar |
Alattharkariyan, Nara Narayanan |
Thayar |
Pundareehavalli Thayar |
Blessing Posture |
Sitting Posture Facing East |
Vimanam |
Pranava Vimanam |
Theertham |
Indhra Theertham, Rudhra Pushkarini |
Praised By |
Thirumangai Alwar with 10 Pasurasms |
Ahamam |
Paancharaathram |
Other Sannidhis |
Thirukostiyur Nambi, Garudan, Hanuman |
Prathyaksham |
Indiran, Ekadhasa Rudhras, Mahadha Muni |
The Specialities |
Thirumangai appears on Hamsa Vahanam presents Garlands to all 11 Perumals and hymn his Pasurams |
Unique Feature |
During Thai Month Garuda Sevai ALL Thirunangur Divyadesam Perumals assemble in Thirumanimadam |
|
Patteeswaram Kothandaramar Temple - Where Sreerama Blessing in HIS Wedding Posture |
|
|
Patteeswaram Kothanda Ramar Temple – Where the ALMIGHTY gave Darshan in HIS Kalyana Thirukkolam – Wedding Posture is located around 10 KM from Kumbakonam near Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram – Nathankoil Divyadesam, Patteeswaram Thenupureeswarar Temple - Durgai Amman Temple and Darasuram Iravatheeswarar Temple – An UNESCO Monument. The temple dates back even to Ramayana. The Legend says that Sreerama after defeating the Demon Ravana and his Kingdom came down to Patteeswaram Thenupureeswarar Temple, installed as Sivalingam and performed Poojas to Lord Shiva invoking the Blessings to liberate HIMSELF from Chaayaahatthi Dhosaham which had struck HIM as a result of Killing Vaali – Elder Brother of Sukreevan behind a tree. HE got blessed by Lord Shiva here and based on the request from Devas, provided them HIS Kalyana Thirukkolam here in Patteeswaram Kothanda Ramar Temple in HIS Standing Posture Facing East as Kalyana Ramar. Utsavar is Blessing as Kothanda Ramar. The nearby Sreevaishnava Temples are Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram – Nathankoil, Patteeswaram Gopinatha Perumal Temple, Sundaraperumal Koil and Oothukadu Kalinga Narthana Perumal Temple. The nearby Saivite temples are Patteeswaram Thenupureeswarar Durgai Amman Temple, Darasuram Iravatheeswarar Temple and Swamimalai Murugan Temple |
|
 |
|
|