Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple / Arulmigu Jagannatha Perumal Koil, Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram / நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம், நாதன் கோயில் / Nathan Kovil, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple also known as Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram at Nathan Kovil is 21^st  Divya Desam of 108 Divya Desams and 16^th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. This place is also called as Dakshina Jagannatham. 

Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar ( 1438-47 ), in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

1438

தீதறுநி லத்தொடெரி காலினொடு நீர்க்கெழுவி சும்பு மவையாய்,

மாசறும னத்தினொடு றக்கமொடி றக்கையவை யாய பெருமான்,

தாய்செறவு ளைந்துதயி ருண்டுகுட மாடுதட மார்வர் தகைசேர்,

நாதனுறை கின்றநகர் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே

1447

நறைசெய் பொழில் மழைதவழும் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம்நண்ணி யுறையும்,

உறைகொள்புக ராழிசுரி சங்கமவை யங்கையுடை யானை,

ஒளிசேர் கறைவளரும் வேல்வல்ல கலியனொலி மாலையிவை யைந்து மைந்தும்,

முறையிலவை பயிலவல அடியவர்கள் கொடுவினைகள் முழுத கலுமே

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Moolavar  : Sri Srinivasan

Utsavar    : Nandhinathar, Sri Jagannatha Perumal,  

                  Sri Vinnagara Perumal, Rakshaka Jaganathan

Thayar     : Sri Shenbagavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are ….

Moolavar is facing west with a 4 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam Dwajasthambam, Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. The second level Rajagopuram is of two tiers. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Moolavar Jagannatha Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi in sitting posture, holding shankha and Chakra in the upper hands and lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is in ahvana hastham ( calling his devotees ) and Brahma is also in the sanctum sanctorum. Utsavars are in-front of Moolavar. No murtis are in the kostam. Nandi Devar – a bas relief ( in human form), in worshipping posture is on the right side wall   and Brahma is on the left side wall of the sanctum sanctorum ( inside ).

Thayar Shenbagavalli is in sitting posture in a separate sannidhi facing east, with abhaya varada hastam.

In mandapam Andal, Alwars, Anjaneyar, the Nayaka king Vijayaranga Chokkappa Nayaka with his two wives.   

Nayaka king Vijayaranga Chokkappa Nayaka with his two wives

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha upanam and Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, muppattai kumudam and pattika. The Bhitti starts with vedika. Vishnu kantha pilasters are with square base, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, puspa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The Vimanam above the prastaram is built with bricks of single tala. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in tala and greeva kostams. The sigaram is of Dravida style. The Vimanam is called as Mandaara Vimanam.

The front mandapam was built during Nayaka's period.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to 08^th Century ( 736 – 796 CE ), Pallava King Nandivarman-II’s period and the same was reconstructed during Chozha period and received contributions from Vijayanagaras, Thanjavur Nayakas, Vijayaranga Chokkappa Nayaka and Marathas.

The inscription, records the contributions of Sundara Chozha. The temple is also called as Sundara Chozha Vinnagaram (..? to be verified ). It was told that Aniruddha Brahmarayar (Sundara Chola’s minister) lived in this Village Sundara Chozha Vinnagaram now called as Nathan Kovil

The temple is under the control of Vanamamalai madam.

LEGENDS

As per the legend Nandi performed penance at this place to seek the pardon and blessings of Maha Vishnu for the sin of insulting the Dwarapalakas at Vaikuntam. As advised by Shiva, Nandi did penance of Maha Vishnu in this Shenbagavanam. Satisfied with Nandi’s penance, Maha Vishnu pardoned Nandi and blessed him. Hence Thirumangai Azhwar calls this place as “Nandi paniseida nagar- நந்தி பணி செய்த நகர்”, in 10^th Thirumozhi, of Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

1444: (5-10-7)

தந்தை மனம் உந்து துயர் நந்த இருள் வந்த விறல் நந்தன் மதலை

எந்தை இவன் என்று அமரர் கந்த மலர் கொண்டு தொழ நின்ற நகர் தான்

மந்த முழவு ஓசை மழை ஆக எழு கார்  மயில்கள் ஆடு பொழில் சூழ்  

நந்தி பணி செய்த நகர் நந்திபுர விண்ணகரம் நண்ணு மனமே!

Thayar Shenbagavalli also did penance at this Shenbagaranyam, to get a place on the chest of Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu gave darshan on Aippasi Month Valarpirai ashtami day / Friday and gave her the place on his Chest. Hence special poojas are on Aippasi month Fridays. Since Maha Vishnu is a Nathan for Maha Lakshmi and Jagam ( universe ), this place is called as Nathan Kovil.   

In another legend, moolavar was originally facing east and turned to west to see Sibi Chakravarthy sacrificing his life to save the life of a pigeon.

It is believed that, the obstacles in marriages will get removed and child boon will be granted, for those worships Thayar of the temple.

This temple is also one of the Chandra dosha parihara sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas ( Thenkalai ), special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Pavithrotsavam in the month Aani, and akshaya Tritiya. Special abhishekams will be done to Thayar on Aippasi month Fridays.

Kinnarar

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Land line numbers +91 435 241 7575 and mobile numbers +9198430 95904 & +9194437 71400 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Place temple is about 4 KM from Patteeswaram, 6.00 KM from Kumbakonam, 9 KM from Nachiarkoil, 12 KM from Papanasam,  and 39 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

The Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Cuircuit.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---