the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Vishnu

The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place. On seeing Vishnu, Shiva's anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides. The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. Similar to the story of Mother Parvathi feeding Saivite child saint Tirugnana Sambandar with wisdom milk, Lord Perumal brought here the very milk ocean itself to feed a hungry child. Sage Vykrapada came to this temple with his child Ubamanyu, placed him at the entrance of the temple and went to pick flowers for Lord. The child began to cry for food which fell in the ears of Lord reclining in the milk ocean. He immediately created a milk ocean in this place. Mother Purushothama Nayaki fed the child with the milk. As Lord Narayana gave generously the Thiruppaarkadal to Ubamanyu Maharishi, the theertham is known as Thiruppaarkadal Theertham. Sanjeevi Mooligai (An herb) saved Lord Rama itself. So in order to indicate this, the Vimaanam of this place is named as Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimaanam.

The temple has a three tiered vimana (shrine over the sanctum), and the temple is enclosed by rectangular walls. The image of the presiding deity Purushothaman and his consort Purushothama Nayagi are depicted in standing posture. The image of the festival deities are also housed in the same shrine.Accompanied by Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Purushothaman appears in a standing posture facing east. Mother Purushothama Nayaki blesses devotees from her own shrine in the southwest side of the temple in a sitting position. Shrines of Andal, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, Anjaneya, Nammazhwar, Udayavar Sri Ramanuja, Senai Mudaliar are in the inner prakara. The vimana above the presiding deity is of Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimana design. The Utsavar Purushothaman of this kshetram is so beautiful that he can easily attract everyone’s heart and attention towards him.This temple is 30th among the 108 Divya Desas of Perumal. There are only two Purushothama temples, one in Karamanur near Tiruchi and the one here. Great Vaishnavite Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal stayed in Van Purushothama temple and served the Lord for two years. The temple has three Anjaneya shrines. In the Sri Rama shrine, he appears in a worshipping position with hands folded and mouth closed. The Tiruparkadal with crystal clear water without the green stuff (Paasi in Tamil) is north of this place. Perumal is very fond of Shenbaga flowers.

The Tirumangaialwar Mangalasasana utsavam in the month of Thai (after the new moon night) witnesses Garudasevai - a spectacular event in which festival images of Perumaal from the 11 (Tirunaangur) Divya Desam shrines in the area are brought on Garuda mounts to Tirunangur. An image of Tirumangai Alwar is brought to Tirunaangur on a Hamsa Vahanam (from Tirunagari) and the his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these 11 Divya Desams are recited. The image of Tirumangaialwar circumambulates each of these deities, and at the conclusion of the festival, the images are returned to their temples. Prior to this, the image of Tirumangaialwar and his consort are taken in a palanquin to each of the 11 Tirunangur Divya Desams, (trampling) through the paddy fields in the area, and the paasurams dedicated to each of the 11 Divya Desams are chanted in the respective shrines. The Ekadasa Garuda Sevai is the most important festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.