Sri Nanmadhia Perumal Temple / ஶ்ரீ நான்மதிய பெருமாள் கோயில், Thalachangadu, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Heritage visit to this Sri Nanmathiya Perumal Temple at Thalachangadu was a part of the “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”, organized by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05^th and 6^th March 2022.   Thanks to V Ramachandran, Tahasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples. This place was called Thali Sanga Nanmadhiyam, which was corrupted to the present name of Thalachangadu.

This is one of the 108 Divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai alwar in his periya thirumozhi.

கண்ணார் கண்ணபுரம் கடிகை கடிகமழும்

தன்னார் தாமரைசூழ் தலைச்சங்க மேல் திசையுள்

விண்ணோர் நான்மதியை விரிகின்ற வெஞ்சுடரை

கண்ணாடரக் கண்டு கொண்டு களிக்கின்றதின்

கென்று கொலோ... ( 1736 பெரியதிருமொழி 8-9-9 )

மன்னுமணிமாடக்கோயில் மணாளனை

நல்நீர்த் தலைச்சங்கநான்மதியை.. ( பெரிய திருமடல் 132 )

.... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Thirugnanasamandar also mentions this place Thalaisangai in his hymns on Thalachangadu Shiva temple.

நலச்சங்க வெண் குழையும் தோடும் பெய்தோர் நால்வேதம்

சொலச்சங்கை இல்லாதீர் சுடுகாடு அல்லால் கருதாதீர்

குலைச் செங்காய்ப் பைங் கமுகின் குளிர்கொள் சோலைக்குயிலாலும்

தலைச்சங்கைக் கோயிலே கோயிலாகத்தாழ்ந்தீர்.

.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

Moolavar  : Sri Nanmathiya Perumal

Utsavar    : Sri Vensudar Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Thalai Sanga Nachiyar / Chengamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are …..

The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the top of the arch. Periya Thiruvadi and Siriya Thiruvadi with poorna kumbha are below that.  Moolavar in the sanctum is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavar with his consorts are in front of moolavar.    

Lakshmi and Narashimahar are in the mandapam facing North. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s dasavatar images are inside the Vavval nethi mandapam. In the praharam Thayar Thalai Sanga Nachirar, Hanuman, Garudalwar, Andal, and Senai Mudhalvar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. Mukha mandapam centre portion is of vavval nethi / Vandikoodu mandapam may be constructed during Maratha period.

The Mukha mandapam can be accessed from both sides with 7 steps. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on the lower level. Since the Lover level is not visible ( filled with construction ) and the upper-level  Jagathi is only Visible. The upper level is on a prati bandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, Vrutha Kumudam, and Viyyalavari. The Bhitti starts with vedigai. The Bhitti and vimanam above the vedikai were constructed with brick.  

Ekatha Vesara Vimanam is called as Chandra Vimanam. The Koshtams on the bhitti are empty. The Greeva koshtams are like Salai extended up to sigaram. Nasis is between greeva koshtams. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam along with Periya thiruvadi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since the Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by 8^th Century Thirumangai Alwar, the original temple might have existed before the 8^th Century. Also, it is believed that the original temple was constructed by Ko Chengat Chozha.

Later the temple received contributions from Chozhas and Marathas. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam kumudam and Padma jagathi.  

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 13^th June 2002 and again on 11^th September 2014.

Solar Lights are installed by Jaisai Solar Solutions from Trichy and Erode, who are blessed by the Ahobila mutt 45^th and 46^th pattam Azhagiya Singar, at a cost of Rs.184150.00 in 2019.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this place might have obtained its name from the flower called Sangu, which was grown in this area during ancient times. Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal gave darshan to Chandran, Devaprunthagar, Devas, and Nithyasuris.

As per the Legend, Chandra was the brother of Maha Lakshmi and was considered powerful next to the Sun. Chandra Conducted a Rajasurayagna where he was attracted by Dhara, the wife of Guru. Dhara and Chandra had a son called Budhan through an illicit affair. Guru complained to Maha Vishnu and cursed to be affected by the leprosy. Chandra worshiped Maha Vishnu to get rid of the curse.

As per the legend, Chandra married 27 daughters of Daksha, but he was more affectionate with Rohini. So the others complained to their father Daksha, who cursed Chandra to lose his power. To get relieved from the Curse, Chandran came to this place created a theertham, and worshiped Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal. Perumal relieved Chandran from the curse. Hence this temple’s Vimanam is called Chandra Vimanam and theertham is called Chandra pushkarani.   

In another legend, while Vinayagar was returning from a feast with Kubera, a snake crossed their way. The vahana Moonchuru got frightened and started running in amok. Due to this Vinayagar had fallen down and vomited what he ate. Seeing this Chandra laughed. angered Vinayagar and cursed Chandra for losing his power.  The two legends also connected with Lord Shiva who he will loose his power for 15 days due to a curse and regained the power for 15 days as a boon from Lord Shiva in this case from Maha Vishnu.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on all Vaishnavite important days, like Pavithrotsavam in the month Purattasi, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Navaratri, New Year Days, etc,.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 09.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 15.00 to 17.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of Varadharajan Bhattar, who comes from Mayiladuthurai  +91 99652 73712  may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Temple is about a KM from the place Thalachangadu and 18.6 KM from Sirkazhi, 23 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 30 KM from Karaikal, 50 KM from Nagapattinam, and 255 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---