Thiruvali Thirunagari Divya Desam

Introduction

Thirunagari is a Vishnu temple. It is often paired with Thiruvali, another Vishnu temple nearby, and together these 2 temples are taken as a single Divya Desam, known as Thiruvali-Thirunagari. There are 108 such Divya Desams, which are regarded as very special abodes of Vishnu revered by the Azhwar saints in many of their scared Divyaprabhandham compositions. The presiding deity of Thiruvali temple is Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, and his consort is Goddess Amirthagatavalli. Lord Vedarajan is the principal deity of Thirunagari, and his consort is Goddess Amirthavalli. Both these temples are situated in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, near Sirkazhi town. Both are also closely associated with the saint-poet Thirumangai Azhwar, whose birthplace Thiru Kuriyalur is near Thirunagari. Lord Vedarajan of Thirunagari is believed to have appeared before his devotee Thirumangai Azhwar in that shrine. Apart from being a Divyadesam, these temples are also part of the Thirunangur Tirupathi, a cluster of 11 Vishnu temples of this Thirunangur belt.

Temple Legends

As per the temple legend, Karthama Prajapathi, one of Lord Brahma’s sons, did severe penance to attain Moksha, the salvation. This moved divine Mother Lakshmi’s heart, but Lord Vishnu ordained that his devotee has to wait till Kaliyuga, to achieve his goal. After taking many births in the subsequent Treta and Dwapara Yugas, Karthama was born as prince Sangabalan in Kali Yuga. He fell in love with a beautiful damsel called Kumudavalli and wanted to marry her. But being an ardent devotee of Vishnu, she put the condition that Sangabalan should feed one thousand Vaishnavites daily, in order to win her hand. Determined to meet the challenge and marry his lady love at any cost, Sangabalan started feeding Vishnu devotees. And when left with no option, he resorted even to burglary for generating funds for mass feeding. Impressed with his commitment, Vishnu decided to draw him into his fold. And the divine couple Vishnu and Lakshmi came in the guise of the newlyweds to the place of Sangabalan, who tried to rob them, too. Then the Lord uttered the sacred Ashtakshara Manta in his ears, and this turned Sangabalan irrevocably in the spiritual path. And he himself became a great Vishnu devotee, with the name Thirumangai Azhwar.

Vishnu gave darshan to Thirumangai Azhwar and his wife as Ranganatha. As he was also in the guise of a bridegroom, the Lord here is hailed as Kalyana Ranganatha. This place is also called Azhwar Koil, after Thirumangai Azhwar, and Vedarajapuram, after the presiding deity Vedarajan.

The History and Architecture of Thiruvali-Thirunagari Divya Desam

Thiruvali and Thirunagari are about 5 kilometers from each other. These temples are said to be originally Chola constructions, with generous contributions from the Vijayanagar and the Nayak kings later.

Lord Lakshmi Narasimha can be worshipped in the sanctum of the Thiruvali temple, in the sitting posture facing East, with Goddess Lakshmi seated on his lap.

The Thirunagari temple is built in 2 acres, is enclosed within granite walls, and has an imposing 7 tier Rajagopuram, the entrance tower, 125 feet tall. The presiding deity Vayali Manavalan or Vedarajan is housed in the sanctum in sitting posture, facing West. The roof above the sanctum is Ashtanga Vimanam, an octagon in shape, which has many beautiful stucco images such as Dasavatara, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Narayana, etc. The festival deity is Kalyana Ranganatha, while Goddess Amritavalli is in a separate shrine. Thirumangai Azhwar is enshrined separately, with his own Dwaja Sthambam, the flag post. There is a small image of Chindanaikiniyan here, who is said to have been worshipped by the Azhwar.

Temple Festivals

Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalaasaasana Utsavam is the biggest festival, not only of Thiruvali-Thirunagari but also of the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples. The Azhwar gets as much prominence as the deities of these temples, in this festival celebrated during Thai (January-February). On the New Moon day of the month, the processional deity of Thirumangai Azhwar is taken from Thirunagari temple to Thirumanimadam Divya Desam. The main event is the Garuda Sevai when the deities of all the temples are brought on their Garuda mounts to Thirunangur. The idol of Thirumangai Azhwar is also brought there, and the hymns that he composed on these deities are chanted with devotion. The images of the Azhwar and his wife Kumudavalli Nachiyar are also carried in a palanquin to all the 11 temples of Thirunangur. Pavithrotsavam and Panguni Uttiram are some of the other important festivals celebrated here.

Benefits of Worshipping the Lords of Thiruvali-Thirunagari Divya Desam

It is believed that Lord Kalyana Ranganathar can resolve all marriage related issues, and ensure an early and smooth wedding. Devotees also worship in these temples for personal development, career or business growth, progeny blessing, and happiness. It is also believed that praying in these temples can help people shed illusion, and connect with the divinities, and bestow them wisdom and everlasting joy.