Thirumanimadam Divya Desam, Thirunangur

Introduction

Thirumanimadam is a Divya Desam, held as a chosen abode of Lord Vishnu. He is enshrined here as Narayana Perumal or Badri Narayana Perumal, and hence this temple is also called the Narayana or Badri Narayana Perumal temple. Pundareeka Valli is the Goddess, here. The great Azhwar saints have praised the Lord of this temple in their hymns, and hence, this becomes a Divya Desam of Vishnu. This temple is located in the Thirunangur village, close to the Sirkazhi town in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. Apart from being a Divya Desam, this is also a Thirunangur Tirupathi, that is, one of the 11 holy Vishnu shrines of Thirunangur. The saint-poet Thirumangai Azhwar belongs to this belt, and he has worshipped all these deities and has sung hymns in their praise.

Temple Legends

All the Vishnu temples of Thirunangur are connected with the Shiva-Sati legend. Shiva’s consort Sati, unable to take the insult done to her husband in the sacrifice performed by his father Daksha, gave up her life by jumping in the fire. This infuriated and saddened Shiva so much that he started performing a wild, cosmic dance, carrying Sati’s corpse on his shoulder. But as and when his disheveled hair touched the earth, 11 new Shiva aspects began springing up in that place. As this was sure to lead to the very destruction of the universal beings, the Gods prayed to Vishnu to somehow prevent this catastrophe from happening. The compassionate Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared before Shiva at this place, and his presence cooled down Shiva and pacified him. Then, on Shiva’s request, Vishnu, too, took 11 different forms in Tirunangur, and the 11 temples here are the ones where these Vishnu forms can be worshipped. Ekadasa Rudras, the 11 Rudra forms, and Indra, the Lord of the Devas, are believed to have worshipped the Lord in this temple.

It is also said that Lord Badrinath of the famous Badrinath temple came to this place as per Shiva’s request. Saint Ramanuja, too, is said to have learned the sacred Thirumandiram from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, here.

The History and Architecture of Thirumanimadam Divya Desam, Thirunangur

There are inscriptions to show the Chola and Nayaka contributions to this temple. The temple complex is enclosed within a granite wall and has a five-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. While the presiding deity Narayana Perumal can be worshipped in the sanctum in a standing posture facing East, his consort is housed in a separate shrine. The roof above the sanctum is Pranava Vimanam. The Mandapam, where the processional deities of all the Thirunangur temples will be stationed during the Thirumangai Azhwar Utsavam, is next to the main tower. The temple tank is outside the complex.

Devotional works like 108 Tirupathi Andhadhi of Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Iyengar, also speaks about this temple.

Temple Festivals

The most significant festival of all the Thirunangur Tirupathi temples is definitely the Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalaasaasana Utsavam. This is held during the Tamil month Thai (January-February), when the processional deities of all these 11 temples are brought to Thirunangur, in their respective Garuda mounts, that is, Garuda Sevai. Saint Thirumangai Azhwar, with his consort Kumudavalli Naachiyar, also joins them from the Thiruvali-Thirunagari temple. The sacred hymns that the Azhwar sang eulogizing these deities are all recited with devotion, during the occasion. This festival draws vast crowds of devotees, year after year. This apart, the Brahmotsavam of the temple is celebrated in Vaikasi (May-June).

Benefits of Worshipping the Lord of Thirumanimadam

It is believed that the Lord here is very benevolent. People suffering from illnesses or health concerns, and those facing obstacles in their careers, worship him for relief and betterment.