the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Vishnu

This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thiruvellakkulam or Annan Perumal Temple. It’s about 5 miles (8 kms) away from Sirkazhi. It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis. The temple is on the Sirkali-Nagapattinam route. The devotee has to get down at Annan Koil stop. Auto facility is available. There are buses from Mayavaram/ Sirkazhi that goes past Thiru Nangur. Direct special buses are available only on special occasions. If you are going in car it is 20 kms from Mayavaram and 8 kms from Sirkazhi.

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. Swetharaja, the son of Thunthumaran of Surya Vamsa had the life span of only 9 years initially but was later blessed by Lord Srinivasa for a long life, like Markandeya. He visited the temple, bathed in the Swetha pushkarani, started doing Mrutyunjaya Japam under vilva tree and got blessed. This is the avatharastlam (birth place) of Sri Kumudha Valli Nachiyar, the one who was instrumental in converting the King Thirumangai to Thirumangai Azhwar. Thiru Mangai Mannan wanted to marry Kumudha Valli who belonged to the generation of the Devas. Mangai Mannan is said to have worked with utmost sincerity towards fulfilling each of Kumuda Valli’s conditions to marry him. It is believed that Mangai Mannan finally married Kumudhavalli at this place. Hence, there is a separate Sannidhi for Kumudha Valli at this temple. Thirumangai Azhvaar came here, had darshan of the Lord and praised him here as if he has seen Lord Srinivasa himself. His Paasurams also reflect the fact that the Lord is the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa. Looked at as the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa, it is believed that those who cannot go to Tirupathi can come here and ‘Annan’ is said to fulfill their wishes. Lord here is seen together with the Goddess (Alar Mel Mangai) unlike in Tirupathi where he is seen alone. This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi. All the offering in due to the Thiruvenkatamudayam of Tirupathi can be offered here too. It is also noteworthy that Saint Tirumangai Azhwar addressed only two Perumals as Anna in his hymns, Lord of Tirupathi and this Perumal.

The temple has a three tiered Rajagopuram and all its shrines are enclosed in a rectangular granite wall. The temple tank is located opposite to the gateway tower. The temple complex has a single prakaram (closed precincts of a temple) and separate shrines for Perumal, Manavala Mamunigal, Nachiar and Nammalvar. Kumudhavalli Nachiar, the wife of Thirumangai Alvar was found here and she has a separate shrine. It is located close to Thirunangur, a small village, 8 km east of Sirkali en route to Thiruvenkadu. The temple is also referred as Then Tirupathi (Southern Tirupathi) and has same structure as Tirupathi temple. Lord Perumal is facing east in a standing form. The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is known as Tatvat Yodhaga Vimana. The Temple is managed by Tamilnadu Government's HR&CE ministry. Battachariar (Priest) and Parcharaka of the temple are appointed by government.

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.