Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple /Thiru Manikkoodam /Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple / ஶ்ரீ வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில் திருநாங்கூர் / Thirunangur, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Thirunangur was a part of Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Sirkazhi Visit on 1^st & 2^nd July 2023. This Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the 11 temples of Thirunangur, under the Administrative control of – Thirunangur Ezhu Koil adheenam- திருநாங்கூர் ஏழு கோயில் ஆதீனம். Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar. In that Thirumangai alwar mentions the temple as Thirumani koodam.  

திருமணிக்கூடம் 

கருமகள் இலங்கையாட்டி பிலங்கொள் வாய் திறந்து தன் மேல்

வருமவள் செவியும் மூக்கும் வாளினால் தடிந்த எந்தை

பெருமகள் பேதை மங்கை தன்னொடும் பிரிவிலாத

திருமகள் மருவும் நாங்கூர்த் திருமணிக்கூடத்தானே.

…… திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பெரியதிருமொழி 4-5-5

Moolavar  : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Thirumamakal Nachiyar.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. The thiruman with chankha and Chakra are on the top of the arch. Balipeedam with Garudan sannidhi is immediately after the entrance arch.  Moolavar is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upanam. A two tala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. There is no provision for the Koshtas and hence there is no images. A two tier vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam is called as Kanaka Vimanam and Prasanna Vimanam. There is no images on the tala koshtas  and Maha Vishnu’s avatar images are in the greeva koshtams.

Mandapas are built during latter period and they are of Vavvalnethi style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may belongs to 07^th to 08^th Century and latter received contributions from Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Marathas. The temple is being managed by the Thirunangur 7 temples Adheenam.

Maha samprokshanam was conducted after thirupani on 24^th August 2001.

LEGENDS

As per the legend the 11 temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. After Datchayini jumped in to Dakshan’s Yaga kunda. Shiva took the body of Datchayini and danced furiously. Each time the jada mudi touches the ground, 11 forms of Shiva appeared. The Celestial deities afraid, that if Shiva’s dance continued, the entire creation will be ceased. So they requested Maha Vishnu to stop Shiva’s dance. On Seeing Maha Vishnu Shiva became normal and requested Maha Vishnu to appear 11 different forms at this place, Thirunangur.  Maha Vishnu is also called as “Thamaraikannudiyabiran - the one with lotus eyes”.

Chandra to get rid of the curse given to him Daksha, excavated a tank, took bathe and worshipped Varadarajar of this temple. Hence the Pushkarani is called as Chandra Pushkarani.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas conducted, as per Pancharathra agama, special poojas are conducted on Thirumangai Alwar’s mangalasasana Utsavam ( Newmoon Day in the month of Thai- Thirumangai Alwar Utsavar will be brought from Thiruvali – Thirunagari ) and Garuda Seva in Tamil month Thai.

During Garuda Seva, all the 11 temple’s Utsavars on Garuda vahanam and Thirumangai Alwar with his consort Kumudavalli Nachiyar, on Hamsa Vahanam are taken to Sri Narayana Perumal’s temple also called as manimaada Koil and respective temple’s pasurams are recited. After the Garuda Seva, Thirumangai Alwar with his wife Kumudavalli Nachiar will be taken to all the 1l divya desam temples of Thirunangur. The 11 Diva desams are, 1. Sri Narayana Perumal (Manimaadakkoil),2. Sri Kudamaadu koothar (Arimeya Vinnagaram), 3. Sri Semponarangar (Semponsei Koil), 4. Sri Pallikonda Perumaal (Thiruttetriambalam ), 5. Sri Annan Perumaal (Thiruvellakkulam), 6. Sri Purushothama Perumaal (Vanpurudothamam),  7. Sri Varadarajan (Thirumanikoodam), 8. Sri Vaikuntha Nathar (Vaikuntha Vinnagaram),  9. Sri Madhava Perumaal (Thirudevanaar thogai), 10.Sri Partha sarathy (Thiruparthan palli) and 11. Sri Gopalan ( Thirukavalampaadi ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 har to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +91 96554 65756 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 3 KM from Chennai – Nagapattinam High way, 10 KM from Sirkazhi,  26 KM  from Mayiladuthurai, 31 KM from Chidambaram 247 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway Station of Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---