18
Feb

Temples of Tirunangoore, Thirunelveli.  

Posted by Shamala Krishnan

  1. Thirunangkoil: Venkatanadhapuram:


    The place is about 8 kms from Thirunelveli, on the banks of River Thamirabarani.








    The place is known as Venkatanadha puram, Then Tirupathy. This place is compared Tirupathy up hills. As we see here two temples for perumal one is referred to temple of Tirupathy on Hills and the other one to Perumal temple of lower Tirupathy. There is a Siva temple related to Sri Kalahasthy temple near Tirupathy.


    The temple is on a small hillock known as Swetha malai.



    Main deity is Venkatachalapathy with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in standing posture. We see Thiru Venkta Nadhan with four hands of sanku, chakkram in two hands and the other two as Varadha hastham and kadi hastham.



    The temple was renovated by Venkatappa Nayakar of 14th century. Sthala Vruksham is Bamboo and teertham is known as Sreenivasa Teertham, and River Tamirabarani



    There are 12 steps to reach the main sanctum which signifies 12 Azwars.
    We see a dwajasthambam and Garudazwar near the kodi maram. There are Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and main sanctum of Lord Venkatachalapathy.



    Purana says Azwar’s are like steps for devotees to climb and worship Lord Venkatachalapathy. Bylar, the student of Vyasa Muni, worshipped Lord Vishnu in this place. There was no temple at that time. He did his prayers only by thinking of Lord (manasa).


    Seventh day of his worship a light emerged from the flowers he offered and in this he saw Venkatanadha Perumal and also Sreenivasa Perumal. Bylar was blessed by Lord, and to fulfill Bylar's wish, Lord Vishnu stayed back in this place as Venkatanadha perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.


    There is another sanctum for Venkatesa perumal and Alarmel mangai Thayar. If someone is unable to visit Tirupathy, and pay their offerings due to some reason, they can pay their offerings here in this place.
    Hence the place is known as Then Tirupathy


    There are stone inscriptions which say Thirmalai Nayakar and Viswanadha Nayakar visited the place and worshipped the Lord here.


    King Venkatappa Nayakar had no child and he visited temples, when he visited this temple he heard a voice asking him to do pooja and fed kids in the temple and he will be blessed with child. He did as he was told and was blessed with male child who was named as Sreenivasan. He developed the temple and the place was named after him.



    Garudazwar idol of brass metal is seen. Here his wings are together and his hands are holding Chanku and chakkram which is a rare aspect.



  2. Keezha Thiru Venkatanadha Puram: Varadaraja Perumal



    This temple is about half a kilometer from Venkata nadha perumal Temple.







    Main Deity is Swyambu Moorthy of Varadaraja perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in standing posture. He is with chaturbujam in which to his right hand palm they say Dhana reka is seen, and gadhai to the left hand.



    Devotees can give a coin and get it back after placing it in Lords palm, which has to be preserved.


    Kings Chera Chola and Pandya renovated the temple during their regime.



    Purana says one day King Veera Pandyan gave a surprise visit to temple at that time pooja was performed well and the King was honored properly. King was happy with the Poojari and rewarded him. After he left the original poojari came to know that he was saved by Lord, whom he worship daily.



    Brugu Muni worshipped Varadaraja Perumal of this place. This place is referred to temple of Lower Tirupathy Perumal. We see Sthala Vruksham which is Bamboo tree and Abaya varadha Hastha Anjaneyar in a small sanctum as we go around the Temple.



  3. Kailasa Nadhar temple:

    The temple is in Keezha salai, Keezah Thiru Venkatanadha Puram:


    This is one of Nava Kaiyalam Temple dedicated to Navagraha’s. This place is for Raghu graham. Here we see presence of Nagar in all the deities in the temple which is unique.







    Once Romesa Muni, requested Agastiyar to bless him, to have the darshan of Kailasa Nadhar. Agastiyar felt happy and he asked him to the sangamam place of River Thamirabarani.


    Agastiyar said he will float nine flowers in River Thamirabarani and they will help you. He asked him to install a Sivalingam in those places where the flowers touch the shore. The deity in this place is to be named as Kailasanadhar and Sivakami Ammai.



    These nine temples are known as Nava Kailasam dedicated to each Navagraham.


    Main deity is Siva Lingam known as Kailasa Nadhar and his consort Sivakami Ammai.
    Lord Siva is known as Godha Parameswarar.


    The entrance to the temple is from south is in use and we see Kanni Vinayakar, Sri Arumugar, Dakshina Murthy, Nellaiappar, Sri Chandikeeswarar, and Sri Bairavar as we go around the prakaram. The temple has Maha mandapam, Artha mandapam, and main sanctum.



    The Arumugha Nayanar deity is made of single stone. He is seen on Peacock with six faces, twelve hands and Nagar carved to his chest.
    There is a Pradosha Nandi seen in Mandapam.



    They say the Siva lingam in the sanctum was covered by ant hill. The poojari used to bring the neyvedyam for Lord Siva, ringing a bell, because there used to be a snake. When he does like that snake used to move away from the place.


    When milk abishekam is done, they say we can see lines on Siva Lingam like a snake and we feel as though it is moving away from there.


This entry was posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Thursday, February 18, 2010 . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

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