Thiruvazhmarban Temple, Thiruvanparisaram, Kanyakumari

Introduction

Thiruvazhmarban Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its specific location is Thiruvanparisaram Village, Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. We find its mentions in the Divya Prabandha, the work of Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD.

This makes the temple one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu. The presiding Lord here is known as Kamalavalli.

Today we will know different aspects of these temples, such as their constructions, history, and legends associated.

Thiruvanparisaram – History

There are no certainties about the exact date of this temple as there are no such inscriptions. However, the oldest one comes from 1139 AD, which describes a person named Natesan Chetti from Rajendra Cholapattinam. Two other inscriptions say about the offerings made between 1613 and 1785.

There is a historical account, according to which the Nayak king Thirumalai Nayak visited the temple and created the temple tank.

In the inscriptions, this place is called Thiruvanparisaram. King Kulasekhara and Thirumalai Nayak made several renovations to this temple. Now the temple is maintained by the Government of Tamilnadu through the Devaswom Board.

Kulasekara Azhvaar’ is also considered to have the temple renovated and built the walls, plus facilitated the Vahanam or the chariot for the procession.

Legends Associated

There is a legend about king Kulasekara who became a Kulasekhara Alwar at grazing peacefully in this place. The king once lost his horse, and he went on to find the horse.

After some time, he saw that the horse was grazing peacefully on the banks of Soma Theertham, which is the temple’s tank.

The king took a bath in the tank, and after that, he felt vital again. He also worshipped Lord Vishnu there. People believe that the king got the temple constructed and named it Thiruvanparisaram, where pari mean horse in Tamil. Thiru means respect, vazh means live, and Marban means the heart of the person, which justifies the name of the temple.

In another legend, Saptha Rishis performed penance at this place. Lord granted Darshan to those rishis in the form of Shiva. The Rishis then went on to Soma Theertha Ghat and got the Darshan of Lord Vishnu. Upon getting the Darshan, the rishis prayed to the Lord to stay in that place. Lord, as he was pleased by the rishis, granted them their wish and gracefully stayed in the place as Lord of Wisdom.

The place is also considered the birthplace of Udaya Nangai, Mother of Nammazhwar, who is one of the twelve Azhwar saints.

About the Temple

Thiruvazhmarban temple is built on an area of 2 acres. It features a five-tiered gopuram, and the grantie walls surround the temple. Here the presiding deity is Thiru Vazh Marban or Tirukuralappan, who resides in the central shrine of the temple.

The deity sits facing East, giving devotees his grace with his four hands, holding Abhayahastha, conch, and discus.

The idol is 9 feet tall which is made of Kadu Sarkarai Yogam. This material is formed using a mixture of stone and lime, which is bound together with a glue of sugar and mustard. Hence this deity receives no Abhishekam; the Abhishekam is done only to the procession deity.

To adorn the Lord, they have a crown made of gold and studded with diamonds. However, it was once stolen, and the thief sliced it into multiple pieces. However, he was caught by the authorities, and the crown still adorns the deity.

The Lord also wears a gold chain having a figure of Mother Mahalakshmi. The Vimanam here is called Indra Kalyana Vimanam, and the images of Saptharishis are also there besides the Lord.

On the right of the deity, there are images of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. There are also the images of Vishwaksenara, Kulasekara Azhwar, Nataraja and Sivakami. Other shrines are Garuda, Sage Agasthya, Lord Shiva, Vibishana, Saptha Rishis, Nammalvar, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika, and Azhwars & Acharyas.

There is a hall called Kalyana Vimana Mandapa, which is near the temple tank. It features the paintings of the ten avatars of Vishnu.

In the temple, the priest follows the Vaishnava philosophy and the Thenkalai tradition of worship. It means that there are six rituals performed on a daily basis. There are also many festivals as well celebrated in the temple. The Kanyakumari Devastanam offers the administration and management of this temple.