DIVYA DESAMs - 31/108 - Thirusembonseikoil - … DIVYA DESAM… · · 2017-01-19DIVYA DESAMs -...

DIVYA DESAMs - 31/108 - Thirusembonseikoil

Name of the Divya Desam : Semponnarangar temple

Location : Thiru Nangoor, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Semponnarangar Perumal/ Sri Perarulalan

Thayaar (Consort) : Allimamalar Nachiyar

Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)

Thirumugam (Facing) : East

Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :

Thirumangai Azhwar

Sthalapurana (Brief History) :

As per legend while returning to Ayodhya after killing Ravana in the war, Lord Sri

Rama stayed in the hermitage of Sage Dhrudanetra Muni. As suggested by the

sage, to cleanse Himself of the Brahmmahati dosha for killing Ravana (an ardent

Shiva Baktha), Lord Rama made a big golden cow, entered into it and performed

penance for four days.

Contd..2

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After completing the penance, Lord Rama donated the golden cow to a

Brahmin. The Brahmin sold it and used the proceeds to build this temple. As

the temple was built with sale proceeds of the golden cow, the place came to be

known as Sem Pon Sei Koil – Sempon-pure gold, Sei-made, koil-temple.

As per another legend a Brahmin named Mukundan, living in Kancheepuram

lost all his wealth and was at the lowest ebb of poverty. He came to this holy

land, chanted the ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ mantra 32 thousand times within

three days surrendering at Lord’s feet. All Merciful Perumal blessed him with all

the riches. As the Lord is forever pouring his grace to all His devotees, He is

called Perarulalan-All Merciful.

About the temple:

Of the 108 Divya Desams, this is the only temple where the Lord Himself has

raised funds to build it. Based on the above legend, the Vimaanam (tower above

the sanctum) is known as Kanaka Vimanam.

Thiru Semponnarangar Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor

temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten

temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in

the month of January every year.

It is believed that those who worship Lord Semponnarangar here will get the

equivalent benefit of worshipping the Lord at Kancheepuram, Tirumala and at

Srirangam.

�Proud to be a Hindu�

Contd..2

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DIVYA DESAMs - 32/108 - Thirumanimada Koil

Name of the Divya Desam : Narayana Perumal temple


Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Narayana Perumal/Sri Nandavilakku Perumal

Thayaar (Consort) : Pundareekavalli Thayar

*Thirukkolam (Posture) :*Veetrirundha(Sitting)



Thirumangai Azhwar


As per legend Lord Shiva had to get rid of the Brahmahatti Dosham – the sin of

having decapitated Lord Brahma. He conducted a yaga for this purpose. At the

conclusion of the austerities, Lord Vishnu appeared before Lord Shiva along with

the celestials. Lord Shiva then requested Lord Vishnu to show His 11 forms. Lord

Vishnu obliged and revealed Himself in 11 different and beautiful forms. So, the

11 Divya Desams in Thirunangoor, it is believed, came to please Lord Shiva.

The presiding deity of Badrinath Temple, Badri Narayanar, is also believed to

have visited this place on the request of Lord Shiva.

Lord Naryana Perumal of Thirumanimada Koil stands as a lamp which spreads

Gnana to the world and Nara Narayana of Badrinath taught Gnana to himself,

thus both are equivalent in terms of Gnana.

Nanda Vilakku is the lamp which gives light continuously. Here the Perumal

stands as Nanda Vilakku giving the Pranava Gnana oli (Light of knowledge) to all

His devotees.

Contd..3

-3-

About the temple:

Sri Ramanujar is believed to have learnt Tirumandiram from Thirukoshtiyur

Nambi at this place.

During his lifetime, the Vaishnavite saint Thirumangai Azhwar accompanied by

his wife Kumudavalli Thayar walked through the paddy fields to the 11 Divya

Desams in and around Thirunangur and finally reached the temple of Narayana

Perumal to celebrate the * Garudotsavam or Garudasevai festival. * The Azhwar

sung verses in praise of all the gods and performed aradhanai for each of them.

It is believed that as he walked on the paddy fields, the harvest would always be

plentiful.

During the * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in a grand manner on

the month of January, the festival deities of all the surrounding Ten Perumal

temples of Thirunangoor are brought on Garuda Vahanam (vehicle of Lord

Vishnu) to this temple and including this temple's festival deity Narayana

Perumal, are all assembled in the Mandapam(Assembling area) here for the

festival proceedings.

The people of the entire surrounding villages accommodate all the Vaishnava

bhakthas as their family members, on these two festival days and ensure that all

get blessed by the congregation of the Eleven Perumals. A festival never to be

missed in anyone's lifetime.


DIVYA DESAMs - 33/108 - Thiruvaikuntha Vinnagaram

Name of the Divya Desam : Vaikunthanatha Perumal temple


Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Vaikunthanathan/Sri Thamaraikannudaya piraan

Thayaar (Consort) : Ubhaya Nachiyar/ Vaikunthavalli Thayar

*Thirukkolam (Posture) :*Veetrirundha(Sitting)



Thirumangai Azhwar


Contd..2

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As per legend King Swetakethu of Ikshavagu dynasty loved every one and

was a living example of honesty and integrity. He and his queen Damayanthi

had a passion to visit Vaikundam to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu.

As a king, he completed all his political duties and started doing penance

with his queen. After severe penance, they shed their mortal coil and reached

Vaikundam but could not find their Lord Vaikuntha Vasan. They stood sad and

by then Maharshi Narada came there. They fell at his feet and enquired him

why they could not get the darshan of the Lord.

Narada replied that though they performed severe penance but failed to

perform even small Homas and charities, that was the cause of this failure. The

remedy was that they had to worship Lord Iravadeswarar on the banks of

Cauvery on Earth and appeal to Him, who would help them to have Lord

Vaikunda Vasan's darshan.

Swetaketu and Damayanthi, prayed to Lord Iravadeswarar and begged his

help for Perumal darshan. Lord Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said

that He too was waiting for Perumal darshan and suggested that they could join

him in penance. Meantime, Sage Udanga Maharshi also joined them in the

penance. Thus four performed penance together.

Lord Vishnu appeared before them with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi,

Lord Iravadeswarar prayed that the place where the darshan was granted

should be honoured as Vaikuntha Vinnagaram and that He should bless the

devotees ever as in Vaikuntham. Thus, Perumal here is known as Sri

Vaikunthanatha Perumal and Mother is known as Vaikunthavalli Thayar.

About the temple:

Vaishnava Saint Thirumangai Azhwar says "vaikuntha viNNagaram

vaNangu madanenjE" (Oh Mad mind, pray at Vaikuntha Vinnagaram), at the end

of all pAsurams in Periya Thirumozhi, 3.9.1 - 10.

Contd..3

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Here Lord Perumal sits as in Vaikuntham. One hand resting on knees,

another on the floor. Since its like Vaikuntham, in this temple there is no

Dwajasthambam, no separate GarudAzhwar, thAyAr and other sannidhi's. Only

one sannithi that houses Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, NeelA devi samEtha Sri Vaikuntha

Natha perumal. Infront of the temple, only a small sannidhi along the walls that

houses Surya Narayana Perumal is seen.

Thiru Vaikunthanatha Perumal temple is one among the eleven

Thirunangoor temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along

with other ten temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is

celebrated in the month of January every year.

This is a place where one can have the direct Vaikuntha darshan of Lord on

Earth itself before reaching Him after life. This place is considered as His

Paramapada on Earth.


Contd..2

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DIVYA DESAMs - 34/108 - Thiruvaali-Thirunagari

Name of the Divya Desam : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal temple(Thiruvaali),

Sri Vedaraja Perumal temple(Thirunagari)

Location : Thiruvaali / Thirunagari, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal (Thiruvaali), Sri

Vedaraja Perumal (Thirunagari)

Thayaar (Consort) : Amrudakadavalli Thayar (Thiruvaali), Amruthavalli Thayar

(Thirunagari)

Thirukkolam (Posture) : Veetrirundha(Sitting)

Thirumugam (Facing) : East (Thiruvaali), West (Thirunagari)


Thirumangai Azhwar, Kulasekara Azhwar


Thiruvaali

As per legend after killing demon king Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha was still in

a furious state. His fury could not be softened by anyone. Devas and Rishis were

afraid that His fury would destroy the whole universe and begged the help of

Mother Mahalakshmi. She obliged and sat on Lord’s right lap, the Lord

embraced her and calmed down. As the Lord embraced (Aalinganam in Sanskrit)

hence the place is also known as Aalingana Puram – Thiruvaali. Thiru in tamil

refers to Mother Mahalakshmi.

Thirunagari

As per Hindu legend, Karthama Prajapathi (son of Lord Brahma) did penance

worshipping Lord Vishnu to attain Moksha. MahaVishnu was not pleased and

tested Karthama for some more time, MahaLakshmi was not convinced with

Vishnu's testing. She left Vaikunta, came down to the earth and hid herself in

the lotus tank at this place. Vishnu came down and after a long search found her

here. Since Goddess Lakshmi stayed here, it's called Thirunagari ( Thiru in tamil

refers to Mother Mahalakshmi, Nagari - place).

Contd..3

-3-

About the temple:

Thiruvaali & Thirunagari, both the temples are worshipped as One Divyadesam.

Being the place where the “Thirumandhiram” was taught to Thirumangai

Azhwar by the ALMIGHTY HIMSELF, the temple is being worshipped as equal as

Badrinath.

Thiruvaali

An unique feature of this temple is that Mother Mahalakshmi is on the RIGHT

lap of the Lord Narasimha, a rare Darshan.

Thirunagari

Every year on the Tamil Panguni month Uthiram night (March-April), the

waylaying of the Lord by Thirumangai Azhwar and the Thirumandhira

Upadhesam by the Lord are enacted in a grand festive manner. In the month of

Thai (January), Azhwar upon returning from Thirunangoor, after the grand

Garuda sevai festival visits this temple and does Mangalasasanam on the Lord.

Thirumangai Azhwar was born in Kuraiyalur, about 3 kms from Thirunagari; out

of five Narasimhas * (Pancha Narasimha kshetras) * he worshipped, two are at

Thirunagari, one is at Thiruvaali, one at Kuraiyalur and one at Mangaimadam-

where Azhwar fed 1008 vaishnavites everyday.

There is a separate sannidhi for Thirumangai Azhwar where he stands with a

spear along with Kumudhavalli Nachiyar. Unlike other temples there are two

temple flag posts (Kodimaram) here, one facing the main deity and the other

facing the sannadhi of Azhwar.


DIVYA DESAMs - 35/108 - Thirudevanaarthogai Keezhachalai

Name of the Divya Desam : Sri Madhava Perumal temple

Location : Annan Koil post, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Deivanayagan

Thayaar (Consort) : Kadalmagal Nachiyar




Thirumangai Azhwar


As per legend Lord Narayana married Goddess Lakshmi devi, who emerged out

of Thirupparkadal (Milky ocean), at this place. Devas, Chandran, Suryan and

Brahma had assembled here to grace the marriage of the Lord with Devi. As the

Devas (celestial beings) came here in a big group (Thogai in tamil), this place is

known as Thiru Devanaar Thogai.

Lord Deiva Nayagan with Mother Kadalmagal Nachiyar gave dharsan here to

Maharishi Vashista as young married couple.

Contd..2

-2-

About the temple:

Lord Deiva Nayagan is in Kalyana Kolam (Marriage pose), hence the Vimaanam

and Pushkarani (temple tank) are known as Shobana Vimaanam and Shobana

Pushkarani respectively. It is beleived that, after having darshan of the Perumal

here, unmarried persons get married and childless couple are blessed with

children.

As this place was graced by the celestial beings, it is believed that the shadow of

the Vimaanam (temple tower) falls within the range of the Vimaanam itself.

Sri Madhava Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor temples.

The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten temple's

deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in the month

of January every year.

The name 'Emperumaan' is common for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Hence

to represent this unison, though the temple is a Vishnu temple, there is a burial

ground-the favourite place of Lord Shiva, in the backyard of this temple.


DIVYA DESAMs - 36/108 - Thiruthettriambalam

Name of the Divya Desam : Pallikonda Ranganatha Perumal temple


Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Senkanmal/ Sri Ranganathar

Thayaar (Consort) : Senkamalavalli

Thirukkolam (Posture) : Sayanam(Reclining)



Thirumangai Azhwar


Contd..2

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As per legend Demon Hiranyakshan took the earth and hid in the Padala Loka –

the world below the earth. All the sages and Devas reached to Lord Vishnu for

protection and restoration of the world at its original place, Lord obliged to take

the Varaha avatar (wild boar).

On hearing this, Mother Mahalakshmi and Adiseshan asked the Lord what they

would do if He leaves them. Perumal advised them to go to Palasavanam and

meditate upon Him. He said that Lord Shiva will also join them and promised

that He will be back after war.

After destroying the demon, Lord came to Palasavanam as promised and gave

darshan to Mother Mahalakshmi, Adiseshan and Lord Shiva. He also relaxed

after the war, on the serpent bed (Adiseshan) here, half closing His handsome

red eyes. Hence, Perumal is known as Senkanmal Ranganathar – Lord with red

eyes. 'Sen' means Red, 'Kan' means Eye and 'Mal' refers to Perumal.

About the temple:

Sri Pallikonda Ranganatha Perumal temple is one among the eleven

Thirunangoor temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along

with other ten temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is

celebrated in the month of January every year.

It is believed that Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Lord Parthasarathy and

initiated knowledge to Arjuna to make him understand the glory of ‘Lord

Krishna’. This legend is leading to the name of this temple as ‘Thiru Thetri

Ambalam’ (Thetri refers to ‘Initiate’ and Ambalam refers to ‘Temple’).

This is the only temple in 108 Divya Desams which has * 'Ambalam' * as its

name which normally is referred to Lord Shiva temple. It is also believed that

the presiding deity of Srirangam arrived here on the request of Lord Shiva.


DIVYA DESAMs - 37/108 -Thirumanikoodam

Name of the Divya Desam : Varadaraja Perumal temple


Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Thayaar (Consort) : Thirumaamagal, Bhoodevi




Thirumangai Azhwar


As per legend Dakshaka had twenty seven daughters and wanted all of them to

marry one person. Lord Chandran (Moon) agreed to marry all of them and treat

all equally. Later after marriage, he was partial only to one of them, Rohini. The

other daughters complained about this to their father. Dakshaka cursed

Chandran to wax and wane.

Contd..2

-2-

Chandran prayed to Lord Vishnu and as per his advise did penance at Thiru

Indhalur, Thiru Thalaichanga Naanmadhiyam and here. Pleased with the

penance, the Lord relieved Chandran of his curse.

As Lord Perumal gave dharsan to Lord Moon here, it is believed that the rays of

Lord Chandran is as soft as light rays emerging out of precious stones (pearls,

crystals etc.). Hence this place is called "Thiru Mani Koodam" - Assembly of

precious stones ('Manigal' in tamil means precious stones, 'Koodam' refers to

assembly).

About the temple:

Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor temples.

The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten temple's

deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in the month

of January every year.

Thirumangai Azhwar sang hymns on the Lord Perumal here as having Goddess

Mahalakshmi in His chest, since there is no separate sannidhi for Thayar here.

As Chandran got his curse relieved here, the Pushkarini (temple tank) is called

Chandra Pushkarini.

As Lord Varadaraja Perumal is known for bestowing abundand wealth to all his

devotees, the name of the Vimaanam (temple tower) is known as Kanaka

Vimaanam (Golden tower).


DIVYA DESAMs - 38/108 - Thiruvellakulam

Name of the Divya Desam : Annan Perumal temple

Location : Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Annan Perumal, Sri Srinivasan

Thayaar (Consort) : Alarmelmangai Thayar



Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Thirumangai Azhwar


Contd..2

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As per legend King Dhundhu Maaran, who belonged to the Surya dynasty, had a

son Swethan who was destined to die at the tender age of nine. As directed by

sage Vashishta, young Swethan came here, bathed in the white-lilies filled pond

(kulam in Tamil) and did Nrisimha Mrithyunjaya japam. Lord Vishnu appeared

before him as Srinivasa Perumal and blessed with long life. Swethan means

white (vella in tamil), so the pond got the name vellakulam. It is believed that

whoever sincerely prays here will be prevented from untimely death.

About the temple:

Lord Vishnu granted darshan to Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal in this temple.

This place is the avathara sthalam (birth place) of Kumudhavalli Nachiyar (wife

of Mangai Mannan later known as Thirumangai Azhwar). Mangai Mannan

married Kumudavalli Nachiyar at this place and hence there is a *separate

sannidhi * for her at this temple.

Thirumangai Azhwar came here, had darshan of the Lord and praised Him as

Lord Srinivasa. His hymns also reflect the fact that the Lord is the 'Annan' (elder

brother) of Tirupathi Srinivasa Perumal. It is believed that those who cannot go

to Tirupathi can come here and fulfill their wishes. Hence He is known as Sri

Annan Perumal.

Lord here is seen together with the Goddess (Alarmelmangai) unlike in Tirupathi

where he is seen alone. This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and

Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi. Azhwar also mentions this place

as 'Bhooloka Vaikundam' means Vaikundam of the Earth.

Priest

Madhava Bhattar, the priest at this temple has been performing service here for

over four decades having first performed pooja in the late 1970s. He is probably

one of the very few Bhattars (poojaris) in Tamil Nadu to perform a 108 Divya

Desam Archanai where he mentions the name of each and every Divya Desam

Perumal and Thayar in his archanai (Pooja).


DIVYA DESAMs - 39/108 - Thiruparthanpalli

Name of the Divya Desam : Parthasarathy Perumal temple

Location : Radhanagar post, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist.

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Thamarayaal Kelvan/Sri Parthasarathy Perumal

Thayaar (Consort) : Thamarainayaki Thayar


Thirumugam (Facing) : West


Thirumangai Azhwar


Contd..2

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As per legend while on a pilgrimage, Arjuna reached this place. Thirsty after a

long trip and not finding water anywhere, he stopped to quench his thirst at

Sage Agastya’s ashram who was undertaking penance here but to his dismay he

found that the Sage’s Kamandala too had gone dry.

Realising that this was Lord Krishna’s play, Sage Agastya directed Arjuna to pray

and invoke blessings of the Lord. Answering Arjuna’s prayers, Lord Krishna

appeared here as Lord Parthasarathy and presented Arjuna with a sword

(Khatka). As instructed by Parthasarathy, Arjuna struck the ground with the

sword and to his surprise water poured out of that place helping him quench his

thirst. This location, south of the temple, became the sacred ‘Khatka’

Pushkarani (temple tank). To mark this event, * Arjuna is seen here with a

sword. *

It was also here that Arjuna was initiated with ‘Self Knowledge’ by Lord

Parthasarathy to make Arjuna understand who he really was and what his real

powers were. Since Arjuna had this initiation here and played the role of a

student, this temple came to be known after him as ‘Parthan Palli’ ('Parthan' is

Arjuna, 'Palli' in tamil means school).

About the temple:

Sri Parthasarathy Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor

temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten

temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in

the month of January every year.

A unique feature here is the presence of two Utsava (procession) Deities- * Sri

Parthasarathy and Sri Kolavilli Rama,* not seen elsewhere in the Thirunangoor

Divya Desam.


DIVYA DESAMs - 40/108 - Thiruchithirakoodam

Name of the Divya Desam : Govindaraja Perumal temple

Location : Chidambaram, Cuddalore Dist.

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Devaadhi Devan Perumal/ Sri Govindaraja

Perumal

Thayaar (Consort) : Pundareekavalli Thayar

Thirukkolam (Posture) : Sayanam (Reclining)



Kulasekara Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar


As per legend once in Kailash, Lord Shiva and mother Parvathi performed a

grand dance. At the end, they liked to know the winner. Hence, both of them

approached Lord Brahma who could not decide. Then both of them went to

Lord Vishnu for his opinion. Lord Vishnu decided to have a contest and asked

divine sculptor Vishwakarma to bulid a dance stage. As the contest started,

Mother Parvathi did all types of Thandavas that Lord Shiva did.

Contd..2

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Finally, Lord Shiva simply lifted his right leg and kept it above his head which

Mother Parvathi could not do. Hence, Lord Vishnu declared Lord Shiva as a

winner. In this temple, Lord Shiva stayed as Lord Nataraja and also requested

Lord Vishnu to stay with him.

One of the rishis who was present during the contest, imparted this style of

dancing to Rishi Bharatha who later on wrote the master piece of dance called

natyashastra. The present day Indian dance forms have been created from

natyashastra.

The King of Kalinga , Kaveran, had a daugther named Lopamudra , who was

married to Sage Agasthya. Sage Agasthya changed her into the river Cauvery.

Everyday Kaveran and his wife used to take bath and once they asked their

daughter Lopamudra-Cauvery the means of attaining salvation. She suggested

them to go to Thillai Nagar and perform penance for Lord

Vishnu to realize their wish and get the darshan of Lord. Moved by the penance

of both, Lord Vishnu appeared before them with mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi

and granted salvation to the couple.

About the temple:

As per another legend a demoness named Dhilli prayed to Lord Govindaraja

Perumal so she would become transformed into a forest full of trees and that

Lord should grace the place with His presence. She became Thillai trees. Named

after her, the place came to be known as Thillai Nagar.

The forest of Thillai is situated on the middle point of the earth, and constitutes

its heart center, the Lotus Space. Through it passes the main energy nadi, or

vein, of our mother planet.

Kulasekara Azhwar mentions this temple as Thillai Chithirakoodam and equates

Chitrakuta of Ramayana with this shrine.


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