Thiruchsemponsey Temple, Thirunangur

Introduction

Thiruchsemponsey Temple is a place of worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Lord is worshipped here as Perarulaalan and his consort as Alli Mamalar. Hence this is also referred to as Perarulaalan Permal Temple. This temple is in the village of Thirunangur, on the outskirts of Sirkazhi town, in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. This is a Divyadesam, a special abode of Vishnu that has come under praise in the sacred hymns of the Azhwar saints. The temple also remains as one of the 11 Divyadesams of the Thirunangur belt, that are well-known as Thirunangur Tirupathi. These temples are associated closely with Thirumangai Azhwar, the saint-poet, who hails from this place. Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar, an ardent devotee of Vishnu, has also praised this Lord in his compositions of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Temple Legends

Lord Rama is said to have come to this place after destroying Ravana. And in order to atone for the killing, he is said to have gifted a golden cow to a Brahmin from sage Dranethra's Ashram. That person is believed to have built this temple with the gold he received. 'Sempon' refers to gold in Tamil, and so, this place came to be called Thiruch Sempon Sey. Lord Azhagiya Manavala Perumal, the presiding deity of the temple from Trichy, also came here on Shiva's request, as per another story.

Further, all the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples have close links with one another. As per the legend, when Sati, Shiva's consort, died in her father Daksha's sacrifice, the God of destruction Shiva lost himself in grief and fury and began dancing wildly, in this place. In the process, his hair locks started touching the earth, giving rise to 11 fresh Shiva forms. The celestial beings were alarmed by this development, as this could contribute to the mass destruction of living things. And on their request, Vishnu appeared before Shiva and calmed him, at this place. On Shiva's request, Lord Vishnu also settled at 11 sacred spots around this place. These are said to be the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples.

The Architecture of Thiruchsemponsey Temple, Thirunangur

This temple is modest in size and construction and is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. Lord Perarulalan, the presiding deity is in the standing posture in the sanctum facing East. Chemponarrangar, also called Hemaranngar, is the festival deity, whose idol is made of Panchaloha, an alloy of five metals. Along with his consort Allimamalar Thayar, he can also be worshipped in the sanctum.

Temple Festivals

Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalaasaasana Utsavam is the biggest festival, not only of this temple but of all the temples that fall in the Thirunangur Tirupathi cluster. The processional deities of all these temples come to Thirunangur on their Garuda mounts on the occasion, when saint Thirumangai Azhwar, too, comes in a palanquin from the Thiruvali-Thirunagari temple. His compositions in praise of all these deities are chanted with devotion, in the festival. Celebrated in Thai (January-February), this festival draws thousands of devotees from many parts of the state.

Benefits of worshipping the Lord of Thiruchsemponsey Temple

It is believed that the Perumal can clear obstacles, solve difficulties, and bless devotees who worship him with faith and sincerity, with the advancement in life. People also worship in this temple for peace and tranquility.