Ranjus travel blog

In Thirukurunkudi there are 5 Vaishanava Nambi temples . These 5 temples together make a Pandiyanadu divyadesham and it’s near Thirunelveli .

The adivaram temple consists of Lord Azhaghiya Nambi in standing sitting and sleeping postures . Thayar is named as Kunrunkudi valli .

Thiruparkadal Nambi temple is just 1kms from Thirukurunkudi temple is a small temple . Here the Lord is short diety with four hands hence it’s called as Vamana shethram .

Malai mel Nambi temple is in a dense forest up on a hill with Nambiyaru streaming in between about 9kms from adivaram temple . Forest department jeep service are provided to reach this Nambi temple from 9 am to 3 pm . It’s an adventurous trip visiting Malai mel nambi temple . Once reached you will realise how scenic this place is, with amazing breeze , the sounds of birds and water flowing .There are lots of monkeys so avoid keeping flowers , Other than that they dont harm you .Though we have visited this temple thrice were fortunate to visit Malai mel Nambi twice . During once due to floods we couldnot make it up .

Kaisika Puranam revolves around Nambaduvan, a low caste person belonging to the Baanar family, his unflinching faith in Lord Nambi and how he was instrumental in liberating a Rakshasha from a curse and helping him attaining Vaikunta Moksham. The Kaisika Puranam is also a perfect case study on the values of life and how it is important to keep up one’s promise at the cost of anything, including one’s own life.

Being a low caste person, Nambaduvan was embarrassed to enter the temple during the day . Every night, he would walk several miles to the Thiru Kurungudi Nambi temple, and for hours together would stand in front of the temple with a Veena in his hand and sing praise of Lord Nambi. And before dawn, he would leave the temple.

One night, as he was making his way to the temple, a Brahmma Rakshasha stopped him and wanted him for dinner. Undaunted by this sudden turn of events, Nambaduvan, who had the purest of devotion for Lord Nambi, requested the Rakshasha to allow him to go to the temple for a night, so he could keep up his Kaisika Ekadesi Vratha, with the assurance to come back the next morning after singing praise of Lord Nambi, one last time.

Unable to convince the Rakshasha, Nambaduvan talks about Sathya Sankalpam: “The world was created through ‘Promises’ and continues to exist as a result of trust in each other.”

Nambaduvan made 18 promises that night to the Rakshasha. Through these promises , narrated beautifully in the Kaisika Puranam as part of this lengthy discussion between Nambaduvan and Brahmma Rakshasha, one comes to know of the different sins we commit every day in our lives as a result of not adhering to some of the basic values in life .

17 promises later and not having got the nod from the Rakshasha , Nambaduvan requests the Rakshasha to let him go to the Nambi temple with this 18th promise

“If I do not return, I would have committed the biggest sin that exists – that of comparing and equating Lord Narayana with others. And I will become a sinner who will never get Moksham from this cycle of births.”

This extraordinary promise moved the Rakshasha and he let him go. After having spent the entire night (possibly for the last time) in front of Kurungkudi Nambi, he made his way back to the Rakshasha as promised.

On his way back , Lord Nambi , disguised as an old Brahmin , sought the reason for his rushing back much in contrast to his usually slow and thoughtful walk, and on hearing him out condemned Nambaduvan as a fool and offered protection from the Rakshasha .

Nambaduvan rejected this offer , as fulfilling the promise was more important to him than his own life. “I will even give up my life but I will never go back on my word. I have given him a promise and I have to fulfil it. Hence, I will have to go back to the Rakshasha and if he has to take me as his prey, so be it.”

On seeing Nambaduvan, the Rakshasha wondered as to how he could come back, despite being under the threat of being consumed. Even more to his surprise, Nambaduvan came close to the Rakshasha and offered himself as his prey .

Brahmma Rakshasha attains Moksham
By now, the Rakshasha had changed his mind . He did not want Nambaduvan’s body anymore . He rather directed Nambaduvan to share the fruits of the entire songs that he had thus far sung in praise of Lord Nambi . After several exchanges , where Nambaduvan repeatedly offered himself as the prey and Rakshasha continued asking for the fruits of the songs , the Rakshasha explained the reason for his current Rakshasha status – He was a Brahmin by name Soma Sharma in his previous birth. His arrogance , as the all knowing , led him to miss a mantra in a Yagna and he was cursed to this current Rakshasha form by the Devas. And that only the purest of the Nambi devotees had the power to relieve him from his curse – and why he wanted to listen to Nambaduvan’s praise of Lord Nambi.

Nambaduvan shared with him the ‘Kaisika’ verses, which he had sung that very night in front of Lord Nambi. Just listening to these verses helped the Rakshasha attain Vaikunta Moksham.

Nammalwar Periyalwar Thirumangai alwar and Thirumazhisai alwar has sung praising this Lord .

Thiruvattapaarai
The story of Thiruvattaparai is very engaging & interesting . It was a time when Sri Ramanuja was in Kerala region and his fame was spreading far and wide. Lot of people there became disciples of Sri Ramanuja (amongst whom VadugaNambhi was close to Ramanuja), which couldn’t be tolerated by the Nambhoodhiris there. So the Namboodhiris with their black magic, move Ramanuja to Thiruvattaparai overnight (just a hill separates this place from Kerala). The next day, the unsuspecting Ramanuja , thinking he is in Kerala , wakes up calling his disciple, “Vaduga.. Vaduga..“. The Nambhi (Lord Vishnu) of Thirukurungudi, immediately appears before Sri Ramanujar as Vaduga Nambhi and renders service to His favourite Acharya. Ramanujar had the habit of keeping Thirumaan to Vaduga Nambhi . On the eventful day too, Ramanujar keeps Thiruman , but for the Supreme Lord himself. Both then go to the main temple to worship the moolavar. The Perumal in the guise of Vaduga went past the dwajasthambam , entered the garbhagriham and vanished. Later when Ramanuja goes to temple, he sees the Thiruman on the deity’s still fresh and exactly as he had kept for Vaduga Nambhi . Sri Ramanuja begged His pardon , but the Lord told him that He was not satisfied with His own Avataras and that he wanted to take the form of a Sishya too , as a Sishya to a great Acharyan and to get upadesam from him . He requested the Acharyan to preach Him the Thirumanthiram or Mahamanthiram . Accordingly Ramanuja sat on a pedastal befitting his dignity and the Lord seated himself at a lower level in an obedient posture with his right ear just below the face or mouth of Sri Ramanuja. Even to-day we can see the great teacher and the Lord in this position in the Ramanujaa’s temple at Thiruvattapaarai .

Nammalwar Periyalwar Thirumangai alwar and Thirumazhisai alwar has sung praising this Lord .

Thirumangai alwar moksham petra sthalam . Thirumangai alwar and his wife Kumudhavalli attained moksha at Thirukkurungudi. After performing kainkaryam at Srirangam , reached Thirukkurungudi as directed by Lord Ranganathar . After reaching Thirukkurungudi, he rendered Thirumadhil (Castle) and pushpa kainkarya until he attained mosksha. Atlast Thirumangai alwar and Kumudhavalli on attaining moksha were burried at this place which later termed as Thirumangai alwar Thiruvarasu. It is situated about a kilometre from the main Nambi  temple surrounded by sugarcane and paddy fields that add a beauty to the Sannidhi .

The sculptures in the adivaram temples are mindblowing .

1. Sri Vaikundam , Srivaikuntanathan Permual Temple
Sri Vaikundam Temple is located 29 Kms from Tirunelveli towards Tiruchendur.

Moolavar is named Vaikunthanathan in standing posture Thayar as Vaikuntavalli and Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord.

As per legends Lord Brahma worshipped His creator Lord Vishnu . Somukasura a demon, defeated Brahma , the Hindu god of creation and stole the four Vedas (sacred texts) from him . Brahma was helpless and he did severe penance in the banks of River Tamiraparani seeking favour from Lord Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntanathan. Pleased by the penance, Vishnu appeared to Brahma and promised to retrieved the Vedas. Taking form of a celestial ‘Matsya’ Lord Vishnu killed the demon Somuka and restored the Vedas to Brahma. He also wished to set his abode as Srivakuntam and resided there as Vaikuntanatha .

As per another legend , the image of Vaikunatha , over the period of several ages , had no patrons and was left submerged under the earth . A cow from a herd of the king , which used to graze at the place , did ablution at the place with its where Vaikuntanatha lay buried. The king was displeased to see that a particular cow alone was not yielding milk and thought it might have been the trick of the herdsman. He deployed his men to monitor the cow, who reported the events to the king. The king realised that the cow would lead him to divinity and he dug up the region around the place . He reinstated the image of Vaikuntanathar and expanded the temple . Since Vaikuntanathar was revealed by the cow, the presiding deity got the name Pal Pandian (pal in Tamil indicates milk) .

Kaladushana was a head of robbers in the region .The ruling Pandya king wanted to arrest him , but his attempts were futile. During one of the encounters , he could arrest everyone except Kaladushana . Kaladushana prayed to Srivaikuntanathar to save him and his troop from the king . Vaikuntanathar appeared as Kaldushana and surrendered before the king . Later , he appeared in the dreams of the king to narrate the events and also informed him that he wanted the king and the people to learn that large accumulation of ill-gotten wealth would be stolen and would reach the right hands .The king was enlightened and he released Kaladushana and his troop. Since Vaikuntanathar appeared for thieves (called kalla in Tamil) , he came to be known as Kallapiran .

The vedic practice is Pancharathram and Tradition followed is Thenkalai. The Urchavar sculpture should be observed carefully. The Lord has a pinch mark in his cheek ! The legend is that the sculptor broke the mould while working on the sculpture . As his heart leaped the Lord got a pinch mark . Remarkable murals are depicted in the corridors of the temple. This temple is considered as Suryan sthalam .
Time : 7 am – 12 pm, 5 – 8 pm


2. Thiruvaragunamangai temple, Vijayaasana Perumal Temple, Natham.
Thiruvaragunamangai temple is located 3 KMs east of Sri Vaikundam.

Moolavar is Vijayasana Perumal in sitting posture Thayar Varaguna mangai and Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord .

At this temple Vishnu appeared to Rishi called ‘Romesa’ who cured Brahma of his arrogance . He appeared to ‘Savitri’ who retrieved her husband alive with her truth and also to Lord Agni (fire) who would incinerate Adharma and atrocities . Vijayaasana here graces everyone as Lord Satya Narayana, sitting under the umbrella borne by Aadhiseshan . According to Romesa Rishi somebody dies at this temple won’t have birth again and attain the ultimate eternity of liberation. 

Another story goes that a fisherman, who had cast a net at this Theertham, was bitten by a snake and immediately attained moksham thus reaching the abode of the Lord. Romasa rishi narrated to his son the story of the fisherman attaining moksham referring to his previous life as a king, who had performed harsh acts and hence had to lead the current life as a fisherman . But sincerity in performing all his duties in this life led him to attaining the Lord’s feet . As he attained moksham here , the theertham at this temple is said to be sacred .

The vedic practice is Vaigasanam and tradition is Thenkalai. The gopuram is very majestic and has 9 tiers.  Recently a spring was discovered around the temple which has been renovated now .This temple is considered as Chandran sthalam .
Time : 8 am – 12 pm, 1 – 6 pm .


3. Thirupulinkudi, ThiruPulingudi Perumal Temple
Thirupulinkudi Temple is just half a KM towards east of Thiruvaragunamangai temple . Moolavar is named kaisinaventhan is sleeping posture Thayar is named poomagal nachiyar . Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord .
Once Vishnu spent the time with Lakshmi on the bank of river , Bhoomadevi became angry as she felt that the Lord disregarded her after his arrival to the earth . So she left the earth and went down to the underworld . As Bhoomadevi went to the Underworld , the earth became dark and dry . The devas went to Vishnu and prayed for restoration of light and life on the earth . Lord Vishnu accompanied by Lakshmi went to the underworld and pacified Bhoomadevi and appeared to everyone with both of the consorts . As the Lord saved the earth(Bhoomi)pacifying Bhoomadevi , He was called Bhoomi balagar.

Once at the Himalayas, a Rishi and his consort were playing in the guise of deer. Indra (deva chieftain), who came there killed the male deer with his Vajrayudha without knowing that the deer are actually a Sage and his wife. As he killed the Rishi he got into ‘Brahmahaththi Dosha’ . As per the advice of Jupiter (one of the navagrahas), Indira came here and prayed to Bhoomibalan and bathed in the Holy water here . He was relieved of the Brahmahaththi dosha . The elated Indira performed a big Pooja . Vishnu appeared and relieved the curse of Yagnasharma who was cursed to become a demon because he had not only failed to respect Vashishtar and his daughter but also used harsh words against them . Here Vishnu lies to twelve feet Aadhiseshan (Aadhiseshan – King of serpents where Lord Vishnu sits). The holy feet of Vishnu can be seen through a window while circumambulating the Moolasthanam . From the navel of Vishnu the lotus vine reaches the lotus on the wall Where Brahma is seated. For anointing Vishnu with oil , 250 liters of oil is used everyday. Lakshmi and Bhoomadevi sit at the feet in their bigger posture. Childless couples offers their prayers to this Lord .

The vedic practice is Vaikaasanam and tradition followed is Thenkalai . This temple is considered as Puthan sthalam .
Time : 8 am – 12 pm, 1 – 6 pm


4. Thirukulanthai, Srinivasa Perumal Temple,
Thirukulanthai Temple is located 5 KMs towards East of Thirupuliyankudi . Moolavar is Sri Soranatha Perumal or Srinivasa Perumal in standing posture Thayar Alarmel mangai .Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord . Urtsavar is Mayapiran . Lord Garudan is placed next to urtsavar in this place .
Legend has it that many years ago , The Lord had married a girl called Kamalavathy, daughter of Vedhasaran and Kumuthavalli. One day a demon named Achmasaran abducted Kumuthavalli while she was having a bath and hid her in the Himalayas. The Lord mounted Garuda and went to the Himalayas and rescued the lady. Unique feature about Thirukulanthai Temple Since the Lord went to Himalayas mounted on Garuda, it is Garuda who is the processional deity in this temple The vedic practice adopted in this divya desam temple is Vaigasanam while the  tradition followed is Thenkalai . In NavaThitupathi this temple is considered as Sani sthalam .
Time : 7:30 am – 12:30 pm, 4:30 – 7:30 pm


5. North & South Temple of Errattai Tirupathi , Aravindalochanar temple, Tholavillimangalam
The Erratai Tirupathi temples can be reached from Thirukulanthai temple via Mangalakurich .

The shrines are in a forest along a channel called Vadakaal .  
The vedic practice is Vaikaasanam and tradition followed is Thenkalai.

The puranic lore around South Temple is that a rishi called Athreyasubrabar selected this area for his Yagna. While cleaning the spot, he found a bow and a balance. As soon as he touched them the bow and balance became a man and a woman. They had been cursed into that existence by Kuber . Henceforth the place became known as Thoolaivillimangalam .

Lord Vishnu is named as Devapiran in kethu sthalam.

The highlight of North Temple is that Nammalvar has performed mangaalasasanam for the Thayar at this temple with the Lord . This temples are together known as erattai Thirupathi and are considered as Raghu , Kethu sthalams .
Time : 8 am – 1 pm, 2 – 6 pm


6. Thenthiruperai , Makara Nedunkuzhal Kathar Temple
Thenthiruperi temple is located 35 KMs away from Tirunelveli on the Tirunelveli- Triuchendur road, besides the southern banks of Thamirabharani river. Once Goddess Bhumidevi was cursed by Durvasa Maharishi and lost her beauty and became dark complexioned , when asked for remedy She was adviced to pray Lord Vishnu in a place called Haripadham . As per adviced She took bath daily and worshipped Lord Vishnu . One day while bathing She got a makara kundalam which She offered to Lord Vishnu and prayed to Lord asking him to wear those makara kundalam . Answering Her prayers the Lord Vishnu wore those earrings and relieved her from the curse and retained the beauty . Hence the Moolavar is named as Makara Nedunkukuzhal Kathar in sitting posture Thayar is named as kuzhaikathuvalli . Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord. The dwajasthambam of this temple is not straight to the Lord temple it is placed aside as this Lord loves to see the children playing outside .

King Sundara Pandiyan had brought 108 Jaimuni Samaveda Thalavakara from Cholas to perform a prayer in this temple . He was blessed with a child soon afterwards . The Vedic practice followed here is Pancharaathiram while the tradition is Thenkalai . This temple is considered to be Sukran sthalam .
Time : 7 am – 12 pm, 5 – 8:30 pm


7. Thirukolur, Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple
Thirukolur is located 5 kms away from Thenthiruperi on the way towards Alwarthirunagari. This is the birth place of Madhurakavi Alvar. Moolavar is Vaithamanidhi Perumal in sleeping posture , Thayar is kollur valli . Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord . Though Madurakavi alwar is considered as a alwar he has sung only about Nammalwar . There is a legend once the wife of the King of wealth Sri Kuberan was cursed by Goddess Parvathi . She came to this place and prayed to this Lord and regained the lost wealth . It is said that anyone who has lost wealth can come here and pray with devotion. The Lord always returns the wealth of those who pray with devotion . The Vedic practice followed here is Vaikaasanam while the tradition is Thenkalai . Devotees having sevvai doshams come to offer their prayers to get rid of the negativities in their horoscope . As this place is considered as Angaarakan sthalam .
There is a famous phrase said regarding this temple when a lady who was leaving this place was asked by Sri Ramanujar “why are you leaving this place ” she gave 81 sentences which is famously known as “Thirukolur Penpillai rahasyam “.
Time : 7:30 am – 12 pm, 1 – 8 pm


8. Thirugurukoor, AlwarThirunagari Temple
Thirugurukoor is located in the famous village of Alwarthitunagari . As per legends Lord Brahma worshipped His creator Lord Vishnu , Lord Vishnu appeared before him and gave upadesam as a Guru so this place is called as Thirugurugoor . Moolavar is Aadhi Nathan in standing posture . Thayar name is Gurukoor valli . Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord .
Tamarind tree is the Sthala vritcham it is said the leaves dint sleep at night and the tamarind dint ripe in to frit here . Here Nammalvar was born to the royal couple Kaarimaaran and Vudaiya Nangiayaar . He didnot speak for 16 years. The worried parents took the child to this temple and cradled it to the tamarind tree near the shrine. Nammalvar spoke only when Madhurakavi Alwar met him during his wanderings under the tamarind tree. This tamarind tree is 5000 years old and can still be seen at the temple. It is here at Alwarthirunagari that Nadamuni wrote Divyaprabhandam. Nadamuni sought the Kanni Nunsiruthaambu from descendents of Madhurakavi Alwars. Pleased with his dedication Nammalvar appeared before Nadamuni and helped him with the Divyaprabhandam. The presiding deity of Nammalvar was sculpted by Madurakavi Alwar by a special formulation of boiled water from the River Thamirabharani . This place is considered as Gurus sthalam .
Time : 6 am – 12 pm, 5 – 8:45 pm

Srivilliputhur is a town in Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu .

The famous Srivilliputhur Andal temple is one among the Pandiyanadu divyadeshams .

The Moolavar (main deity) is named Lord Rangamannar or Vadabhadrasayi and Thayar Goddess Andal .

Here the Lord is in sleeping posture . Periyalwar and Goddess Andal both has sung praising this Lord . This is the birthplace of Goddess Andal and Periyalwar.

As per mythological legend, the place was referred as Varaha Kshetra . It was a dense forest named Champaka where the sages Bhrigu and Markandeya were doing penance and had their hermitages in the place. A demon named Kalanerai was troubling the sages and they prayed to Lord Vishnu to relieve them from the demon . Lord Vishnu was pleased by their devotion and appeared in the place to slay the demon . He is believed to have taken the abode in the forest reclining on Adhisesha, his serpent bed, on the leaf of a banyan tree. The place thus came to be known as Vadaveshwarapuram and the Lord as Vadabhadrasayi .

Periyalvar (originally called Vishnuchitar) was an ardent devotee of Vishnu and he used to string garland to Vishnu every day . He was childless and he prayed to Lord Vishnu to save him from the longing. One day, he found a girl child under a Tulsi plant in a garden inside the temple. He and his wife named the child as Kothai, who grew up as a devotee of Krishan, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periyalwar, who later found it, was highly upset and remonstrated her. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate only the garland worn by Andal to him. The girl Kothai was thus named Andal and was referred as Chudikodutha Sudarkodi (lady who gave her garland to Vishnu). The practise is followed during modern times when the garland of Andal is sent to Azhagar Koyil on Chitra Pournami day where the presiding deity Lord Kallazhagar entering into River Vaigai with the garland worn by Goddess Andal and Tirumala Venkateswara Temple during [Garudostavam during the Tamil month of Puratasi (September – October)] . It is also believed that  Lord Ranganathar of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal , who later merged with the idol . Andal was taken in a palanquin from Srivilliputhur to Srirangam before the marriage . Since Andal married Ranganatha , who came as a King (called Raja) , the presiding deity is called Rangamannar .

The parrot in the hands of the Goddess Andal is made up of fresh leaves daily and the old ones are given to devotees .

In this temple interchanging of garlands between the married couples is a sacred ritual and we were fortunate to do so , as it was our 37th wedding anniversary day .

Srivilliputhur is famous for its palkova too .

Vanamamalai Sri Thothatri temple is in nanguneri and very near to Thirukurunkudi another divyadeshams of Pandiyanadu .

A must visit for all Sri vaishnavas , the Thothathri temple is located in a small village called Nanguneri in Thirunelveli. This temple is one of the Pandiyanadu divyadeshams.

Moolavar Thothathri Perumal in sitting posture . Thayar named as Varamangai Sridevi Bhumidevi .

Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord .

The temple is around four thousand years old and it is a huge one with extensive carvings. The temple is stated to have been built in a place which was a huge lake.

The Sannidhi street in front of the temple is a indeed a big one. The main deity is given an oil bath every day and the gingerly oil that comes out with water goes through a tiny oil separator and the separated oil is pumped into the oil well. This oil is stated to be having curative effect and hence is sold as the Prasadam. The temple is under the administrative control , of Vanamamalai (Jeeyar Swamy) The Mutt is also located within the temple Vanamamalai Sri Thothathri temple .

The Uthsavamurthy is known by the name Deivanayagan.

This is one of the eight prime shrines of the Srivaishnavas where the presiding deity appeared swayambu and therefore is of great significance .

The sacred oil well is inside the temple . There are few steps to oil well , we can climb and see it .The oil is sold in the temple office and it is considered as a sacred medicine for arthritis and other skin diseases.

This temple is one of the Pandiyanadu divyadeshams in Thiruthangal village , Virudhunagar district , Tamilnadu .

Here the Moolavar is named Nindra Narayana Perumal , Thayar Shenkamalam .The Lord here is in standing posture .

Thirumangai alwar and Boodathalwar has sung praising this Lord .

Sthalapuranam once there was an arguement between the Goddesses Sridevi Bhumidevi and Neeladevi on degree of their devotion towards Lord Vishnu . Goddess Sridevi came to this place getting angry and was in deep meditation . Seeing her devotion Lord Vishnu gave her dharshan . Here the Lord gives dharshan along with
Goddesses Sridevi, Bhumidevi , Neeladevi and Jambavidevi (daughter of Jambavan. (As per legends Lord Ramar had promised to Jambavan to marry Jambavidevi in His next avatar, hence he married her in this place in Krishna avatar)

As per another legend, Krishna’s grandson Anirudhha , got married at this place.

As per another legend , Ranganatha from Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple was enamoured by the devotion of Andal. He started a journey to Srivilliputhur divya desam to seek her hand for marriage . While reaching the place , it became dark and he decided to spend the night in the place. Since he stayed at this place, it came to be known as Thiruthangal and the hillock came to be known as Thalagiri .

Based on the legend , there is a common belief that the temple provides relief to devotees suffering from mental weariness and physical fatigue .

Valvil Ramar Kovil at Thiru Pullaboothangudi is one of the 108 Divya desams and one of the Vaishnava Navagraha Parihara kshetrams around Kumbakonam.

The Moolavar is Valvilraman and the Utsavar is Raman at this temple. The thayar or the Lord’s consort at this temple is Hemambujavalli. The holy water is Jatayu theertham. The vimanam is Shobana Vimanam. He is facing East and present in Kidantha kolam or a lying posture.

This divyadesam is situated in Tanjore district Tamil Nadu . 3 miles away from Swami Malai (where another famous temple for Lord Muruga is found) .

Lord Rama takes rest after doing the final rituals for Jatayu (a bird that lost life by trying to rescue Goddess Seetha from Lanka King Ravana) . He gives dharshan to his devotees in that Thirukolam in this place .

Here the Lord Valvil Raman , after Goddess Seetha is lost is holding only his Kothandam , the Bow in this sthalam . This is the only support he has inspite of loosing his wife.

Bhumidevi , who helped Lord Rama in the final funeral in Thiruputkuzhi is giving support here and is sitting along with Valvil Ramar.

Since, the Lord does the final ceremony for Jatayu, the Eagle belongs to the pull family (One king of bird family) and after finishing the ceremony, he takes rest. So this shetram is called as “Pullam Kudi”. Kudi means the place of staying in Tamil.

King Kiruthrajan , got the dharshan of Lord Valvil Raman in Bujangha Sayanam after his deep penance . Since, the Theertham which purified Kiruthrarajan , the theertham here is called “Kiruthra theertham”.

Since, he was held in the forest, when King Dasaratha was dead, he could not do the final funeral to his father. But, keeping Jatayu in his father’s place, he did the final funeral to him as what he could have done to his father, King Dasaratha.

When Parasu Raman was against Lord Rama, he showed his actual image (or) face as Parasu Ramar and Sri Ramar are not two different people but they are a single person, the final destiny Lord Vishnu .

The final funeral of Jatayu was done under Punnai tree, only here, Sri Ramar gives his seva as Chakaravarthi (along with Sangu and Chakram).

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Valvil Raman. Moolavar in Kidantha kolam in Bujanga Sayanam facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Chakravarthy Thirumangan Ramar and Raja Kruthra. Utsava Moorthy gives seva Valvil Raman has four hands (Chathur Bhujan) along with Sangu and Chakram. Thirumangai alwar has sung pasuram praising this Lord .

This temple is a cluster of 3 temples together making a divyadeshams .
1. Manikundra Perumal
2. Nela Megha Perumal
3. Sri Narasimhar
The 3 temples are near each other and is known as Thanjai Mamani koil .

Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai alwar, Nammalwar and Bhoodhathalwar.

In ancient days this place was called as Manikundram.

Moolavar : Sri Manikundra Perumal
Thayar    : Sri Ambujavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple was built like a madakoil , little above the ground level . It was told that this temple was built on a small hill ( Kundru). Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Garudalwar are immediately after the entrance arch .

The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum , Antarala and arthamandapam. Moolavar Sri Manikundra Perumal is in sitting posture with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi . Thayar Ambujavalli is facing east in a separate sannadhi with a small vimana . Garudalwar and  Anjaneyar are at the entrance of the sanctum arthamandapam . The Paramapatha Vayil is on the north side with steps. Perumal gave dharshan to Markandeyar.

As per the legend  Parasara Maharishi with his disciple lived in the ashram on the banks of river Manimutha river now called as Vennar. The demons Thanjaka, Thandaka and Tharakasura gave troubles to the Sage Parasara Maharishi  and his yagam. So Maharishi requested Lord Shiva to protect them from demons. Lord Shiva in turn sent Kali ( another avathar of Sri Parvati ). Tharakasura was Killed by Kali but couldn’t kill Thanjaka and Thandaka. When the sage Parasara approached Vishnu, He took the form of Narasimhar ( with lion’s Face – Yazhi face ) and Killed Thanjaka . As per his request Sri Narasimhar stayed in Yazhi Nagar. On seeing this Thandaka, hide himself in the pathalaloga. Now Vishnu took the form of Varaha ( Boar ) and killed the demon Thandaka . After Killing the demons Lord Vishnu gave dharshan in the form of Neelamega Perumal to Sage Parasara Maharishi. Lord Vishnu bless us in three different names in three temples close to each other. In Neelamrgaperumal Temple Lakshmi is sitting on the left lap of Perumal but in Yazhi Nagar Goddess Lakshmi is sitting on the right side since Lord Vishnu looks ferocious .

Only one priest looks after the 3 temples so had to wait till he finishes in first temples and locks and comes to other .

This temple is one of the Cholanadu divyadeshams near Thiruvayaru in Thanjavur .

Moolavar is Hara saabha vimochana Perumal in standing posture . Thayar Kamalavalli and Thirumangai alwar has sung praising this Lord

The Lord gave dharshan to Lord Brahma Lord Shiva and King Mahabali .

As per Hindu legend , Brahma, the Lord of creation and Lord Shiva , the god of destruction , had originally five heads . Parvathi , the wife of Lord Shiva once got confused and performed Patha pooja (ablution of feet, considered an act of respect) to Lord Brahma instead of Shiva . Shiva got enraged and cut off one of the heads of Lord Brahma . The cut head got stuck in his hand of Shiva on account of a curse of Brahma . To get rid off this sin , Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Vishnu at Thirukarambanur as Bhikshadanar , where a part of his sin was relieved .

He got his curse fully relieved after visiting Lord Vishnu at Thirukandiyur and taking a holy dip in the temple tank , Kamala Pushkarani . After this incident it is known as ” kabala ” theertham meaning ( skull ) . Since Lord Vishnu relieved (Vimochana) the sin (saabha) of Shiva (also called Hara) , the temple is called Hara Saabha Vimochana Temple . 

As per another legend, Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu requested Shiva to cut off one of the heads of Brahma as she felt that Vishnu would ignore her and show all his affection towards Brahma

Sage Bhrigu , King Mahabali and Chandra (Moon) all got their sins relieved worshipping Vishnu here in the temple . Sage Bhrigu once wanted to test the superior of Lord Vishnu , Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. He kicked Vishnu in his chest in anger and got relieved of the sin here.

Chandra , got curse by seducing the preceptor’s wife , got partially relieved of it by worshipping Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal .

Thiru Kavithalam or Kabisthalam is one of the 108 divya desam temples situated near Kumbakonam in Papanasam . The perumal in this sthalam is called ‘Gajendra Varadhan’.

The sthalapuranam of this temple is also associated with that of the elephant Gajendran . Gajendra performed pooja to Maha Vishnu using the lotus flowers from this pond . One day a crocodile caught Gajendra’s legs and there was a big struggle . The elephant was about lose the battle when cried ‘Adimoolamae’ seeking Sri Narayana’s help .Sri Narayana rescued the elephant Gajendra from the crocodile’s mouth using his ‘chakra’ cutting the neck of the crocodile. He then gave moksham ( salvation) to the elephant here .

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Gajendra Varadhan. Moolavar in Kidantha Kolam in Bhujanga sayanam facing East . Prathyaksham for Anjaneyar and for Gajendran .

Thayar of this sthalam is Ramamani Valli (Potramaraiyaal).

Mangalasasanams The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumazhisai alwar .