This
Arulmigu Thiru Vaishnava Nambi Temple at Thirukkurungudi is the 89th
Divya Desam of the 108 Divya Desam. It
is believed that Maha Vishnu was born (took the avatar) as Vamana in this
place. Hence this place is called Thirukurungudi. This temple is also
called Then Tirupati.
Mangalasasanam
was done by Nammalwar ( 13 ), Thirumizhisai Alwar ( 1 ), Periyalwar ( 1 ) and
Thirumangai alwar ( 25 ).
கரண்ட மாடு பொய்கையுள் கரும்பனைப் பெரும்பழம்
புரண்டு வீழ வாளைபாய் குறுங்குடி நெடுந்தகாய்
திரண்ட தோள் இரணியன் சினங்கொள் ஆகம் ஒன்றையும்,
இரண்டுகூறு செய்துகந்த சிங்கம் என்பது உன்னையே (2)
… திருமிழிசை ஆழ்வார் திருச்சந்த விருத்தம். 813
ஏவினார் கலியார் நலிக என்று என்மேல் எங்ஙனே வாழும் ஆறு ?
ஐவர் கோவினார் செய்யும் கொடுமையை மடித்தேன் குறுங்குடி நெடுங் கடல் வண்ணா !
பாவின் ஆர் இன் சொல் பல் மலர் கொண்டு உன் பாதமே பரவி நான் பணிந்து
என் நாவினால் வந்து உன் திருவடி அடைந்தேன் நைமிசாரணியத்துள் எந்தாய்!
…திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பெரிய
திருமொழி- முதல்பத்து1005.
மான் ஏய் நோக்கு நல்லார் மதிபோல் முகத்து உலவும்
ஊன் ஏய் கண் வாளிக்கு உடைந்து ஓட்டந்து உன் அடைந்தேன்
கோனே! குறுங்குடியுள் குழகா ! திருநறையூர்த்
தேனே வரு புனல் சூழ் திருவிண்ணகரானே
….திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பெரிய
திருமொழி-ஆறாம்பத்து1470.
நம்பியை தென் குறுங்குடி நின்ற, அச்
செம்பொனே திகழும் திரு மூர்த்தியை,
உம்பர் வானவர் ஆதி அம் சோதியை,
எம் பிரானை என் சொல்லி மறப்பனோ ?
… நம்மாழ்வார்
திருவாய்மொழி- 2898
உளனாகவே எண்ணி தன்னை ஒன்றாக தன் செல்வத்தை
வளனா மதிக்கும் இம் மானிடத்தைக் கவி பாடி என்,
குளன் ஆர் கழனிசூழ் கண்ணன் குறுங்குடி மெய்ம்மையே,
உளனாய எந்தையை எந்தை பெம்மானை ஒழியவே ?
… நம்மாழ்வார்
திருவாய்மொழி- 3102
உன்னையும் ஒக்கலையில் கொண்டு தமில் மருவி
உன்னொடு தங்கள் கருத்தாயின செய்துவரும்
கன்னியரும் மகிழக்கண்டவர் கண்குளிரக்
கற்றவர் தெற்றி வரப்பெற்ற எனக்கு
அருளி
மன்னுகுறுங்குடியாய். வெள்ளறையாய். மதிள்சூழ்
சோலைமலைக்கரசே. கண்ணபுரத்தமுதே.
என்னவலம்களைவாய். ஆடுகசெங்கீரை
ஏழுலகும்முடையாய் ஆடுகஆடுகவே.
……. பெரியாழவார் திருமொழி முதல் பத்து, ஐந்தாம் திருமொழி- 71
Moolavar : Sri Sundaraparipooranan
Sri Azhagiya Nambi / Azhagiya Nambirayar
Utsavar : Sri Vaishnava
Nambi, Sri Ninra Nambi
Thayar : Sri Kurungudi Valli Nachiyar
Theertham :Thiruparkadal, Panchadurai, Sindu Nadhi,
Nambiaaru
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east a 5-tier Rajagopuram of 34 meters tall. A mottai Gopura
entrance is on the east side of the Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the back
side of the temple. The Dwajasthambam, balipeedam are in front of the moolavar
sannidhi. The Dwajasthamabam is not in a straight line with the Sanctum Sanctorum
(the legend connected to this is given below). In the main sanctum sanctorum, Maha Vishnu is Vaishnava Nambi in a standing posture about 10 feet tall, with
Sridevi and Bhudevi. All the three
images are of Stucco. Utsavars Sri Vaishnava Nambi / Sri Ninra Nambi, Sridevi, Bhoomi Devi, Sri Sundara Valli and Andal
are in-front of Moolavar
In
paraharam, Iruntha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi (reclining posture on Adiseshan), Dasavatara
murtis, Srinivasan sannidhi, Sri Andal Sannidhi, Manavala Mamunigal sannidhi, Sri
Lakshmi Narasimhar sannidhi, Thirumangai Alwar sannidhi, ( It is believed that
Nammalwar is the incarnation of Thirukkurungudi Nambi, there is no shrine for
Nammalwar ), Shiva as Mahendragirinathar, Bairavar.
One
of the specialties of this temple is there are Shiva and a Bairavar sannidhi
inside the complex. Shiva is called Mahendragirinathar aka Pakkam Nintrar.
Cheppu idols of Natarajar, Sivakami, Somaskandar, Vinayagar, and Subramaniar are
in the Shiva’s sannidhi. It was told that the same naivedyam is offered for both
Maha Vishnu and Shiva and the same is offered first to Shiva. It was told that
it was customary that, by asking whether everything was okay at Shiva temple
before offering to Maha Vishnu. Kala bairavar sannidhi is adjacent to Shiva’s
sannidhi.
Thayar
Kurungudi Valli Nachiyar is in a separate temple. Thayar is in sitting posture
with abhaya varada hastam.
Thiruparivatta
parai... where Ramanuja was brought by Maha Vishnu from Thiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum, Paintings depict the story of Ramanuja with Nintra Nambi, who
helped Ramanuja as Vaduga Nambi / as a Vaishna instead of Maha Vishnu for allying Thiruman, etc,. Hence Maha Vishnu
was called Vaishnava Nambi. This is the place where Maha Vishnu was
initiated the mantra by Ramanuja.
Thiruparkadal Nambi are little away from this temple on the banks of Thiruparkadal Odai/channel/river. This temple has a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. From adhistanam to prastaram the temple was built with stone and above prastaram, the Eka Tala Vimana and dravida sigram were built with bricks.
Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple
Malaimel Nambi is on a small Hill with an access road and steps. Thirumangai Alwar Temple in the midst of the fields.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple spreads over 18 acres with 5 praharas. The temple consists of sanctum
sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, mukha mandapam and a long
corridor. The pillars are beautiful sculptures. An open mandapam is in front of the Rajagopuram, which is being used for special occasions. The 4 pillar mandapam through which we can see
the alignment of the Dwajasthambam and balipeedam, moved to the side by about a few
inches.
The
moolavar vimana is called Panja kedhaka Vimanam, of two tiers Vesara style.
Iruntha Nambi Vimana is of eka tala vesara vimanam and Kidantha Nambi’s Vimana
is Salakara vimanam of Eka tala. Manavala Mamunigal’s shrine Vimana is also of
Eka tala Vesara Vimanam.
The
mandapa pillars are Yazhi (in front of Manavala Mamunigal sannidhi) and
Chitra pillars with beautiful sculptures like…. Warriors, Ladies, Narasimha
with Hiranyakasibu fight, Narasimha with Hiranyakasibu vatham (in front of
Manavala Mamunigal sannidhi), Veerabhadra, Rathi, Manmathan, Mahabharata
characters, Garudan, Hanuman, Pulikal
Munivar, Mutt Jeeyar Swamigal, (on the praharam ceiling), the Donors Nayakas images
are on the pillars of the corridor to Temple tank.
The
miniature sculptures are the lotus ponds in which the lotus flower in stages,
birds, reptiles, etc, (on the top of the Chitra Gopuram entrance), The Chitra
Gopuram (16th to 17th century) side walls, Ships come
to shore, trading of camel, elephant, routine walks of life, Thiruvikrama
Perumal, Shiva as Gajasamharamurthy, (Thirumangai Alwar’s Pasuram records the
existence of the Shiva Temple in side the Maha Vishnu Temple), Machendra,
Krishna, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Thiruvikrama Avatar, a woman dancing with
nattuvanar, Woman playing a Veena, flora, and fauna, Garuda Lifting Tortoise,
elephant, lifts a tree and rishis doing
dabas by hanging from the trees, Ladies forms Elephant and Horse, Parrots forms
Horse, & Elephant carrying Manmatha,
Krishna Leela with Gopikas on the bank's river Yamuna, Shiva/Parameswara’s
dance, Gajendra Moksha, Ganga Visarjana Murthy, Krishna as Venugopala, etc,.
After the Chitra gopuram, various deities with their respective vahanas.
Thirumazhisai
Alwar thinks about the Narasimha avatar of Maha Vishnu, which was created as sculptures after several hundred years.
கரண்ட மாடு பொய்கையுள்
கரும்பனைப் பெரும் பழம்
புரண்டு வீழ வாளை பாய்
குறுங்குடி நெடுந்தகாய்
திரண்ட தோளி ரணியன்
சினங் கொளாக மொன்றையும்
இரண்டு கூறு செய்துகந்த
சிங்க மென்ப துண்ணையே
The
Kurathi, her ornament, footwear, etc. An
elephant out of 9 ladies / 9 Ladies forming an elephant. The
pranala looks beautiful. A Yazhi comes out of the main Yazhi’s mouth is a special
feature.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple belongs to the early Pandya period and later received
contributions from Chozha’s, Vijayanagaras, and Travancore Kings. The recent
renovations are carried out by TVS Group. The Pandyas period 8th to
9th century inscriptions are found on the sanctum sanctorum wall. (which corresponds to Nammalwar and Thirumangai Alwars' time).
As
per Pandya King Maran Chadaiyans’ 4th
reign year vattezhuthu inscription, this place was called as “ Vaikunta
Valanattu Nattarrupokku Brahmadeyam – வைகுண்ட வளநாட்டு நட்டாற்றுப் போக்கு பிரமதேயம்” and this inscription is at Chennai Museum.
Maravarman
Sundara Pandyan- I’s, 13th reign year vattezhuthu inscription
records that this place was called Rajaraja chaturvedimangalam – ராஜராஜ சதுர்வேதி மங்கலம்”. From this, it is understood
that, even though this place was under the Chozha Dynasty the name was not
changed even in the Pandya Dynasty.
Travancore
King Veeraramavarman’s (1439 – 1468 CE) period copper plate inscription
records this place as Vaikunda valanattu Natrrattu pokku Thirukkurungudi - வைகுண்ட வளநாட்டு நட்டாற்றுப் போக்கு திருக்குறுங்குடி”, and Perumal was
called as “Azhagiya nambi “அழகிய நம்பி”. The
Copper plate further records that Perumal is sitting under Udhyamarthanda
Umbrella, with bhujapala veera Soundarararamavarman Peedam
The
Mottai Gopuram stands up to Kalkaram, built during the Vijayanagara period. The mattaiadi mandapam with Yazhi pillars was
built by the Pandya kings. Next is the
Rathi mandapam, with Rathi Manmathan sculpture pillars built during the Vijayanagara period. The Gopuram is 75 feet tall Chitra Gopuram
was built in the 17th century.
The
earliest inscription noticed is of the Pandya king Maranjadaiyan ( Varaguna –I
). Marañchadaiyan’s ( Varaguņa-I ), 4th reign year 772 CE,
Vatteluttu inscription ( 127 lines ), on a stone set up in the northern side of
the inner circuit, records that, the mahāsabhā of Vaikundavalanādu, a
brahmadēya in Nāţţārruppōkku sold land freed from taxes, to one Panichavan
Brahmādhairājan alias Chēndan Chattan of Nellittōl in Malainādu, who donated it
for food offerings in the temple of Kurungudi.
Another inscription at Thirukkurungudi is a
fragment from the 10th century that records an endowment of burning
a Nuntha Vilakku/a perpetual lamp. For the same Fifty goats were also donated
for its maintenance.
Thirukkurungudi inscription of Parantaka
Nedunjadaiyan's fourth year shows that the huge reservoir called Vasudeva eri
and certain minor reservoirs like Arakkulam and Nakkaneri kulam belonged to
Vaikunta Valanadu, a larger brahmadeya in Nanguneri.
Pandya King Māravarman Sundara Pāņdya - I, 12th
reign year 1228 CE, inscription on wall of the central shrine records the
resolution of the mahasabhā of Rājarāja-chaturvēdimangalam to exempt, from
taxes, the land shares being enjoyed by a Nambi in their village. Perhaps Nambi
was a priest in the Vaishnava temple of Tirukkurungudi and therefore the
resolution was communicated to the Śrīvaishnavas of that temple. The mahāsabhā
undertook to add the remitted taxes to the taxes towards the kadaikkar jīvitam
(?) in their village. The remitted taxes were kadamai, antarāyam, ulutānkudi,
vari and vārapalam
The long inscription at the entrance of the
Chitra Gopuram records how water from Uchi Malai flowed down through the
Paralai River. In 1313 CE, a stone dam was constructed to divert the water to
the northern river and a canal in Kalakkad. The inscription records that
Ayyapallai Ayyan, the temple maniyam ( officer ), deputed Tirumalai Servaikaran
and Tirumalai Asari to repair the dam and clean the canal to bring water back
The inscription on the wall of the inner
sanctum states that the monastery that administers the temple was created in
the 14th century as the Thirumangai Matam with offerings for
Tridandi sanyasis.
Most inscriptions record gifts of land,
usually in villages close by but also in far-off Kerala referred to as Malai
Nadu. Kaladi and Meithuruthi are the two places mentioned. Most of these
inscriptions are from the 13th century during the reign of
Maravarman Sundara Pandyan.
One of the inscriptions records the endowment of
food offerings, of 10 padi of amuthu, with proportionate quantities of kari
amuthu, nei amuthu, elai amuthu, and adaikai amuthu. Purusha Narayana Per Eri,
donated to the temple was used for this. The funds generated from fishing
rights and charges for water supply to fields were used to buy materials for
the feast.
A 13th-century inscription on the wall of the
inner enclosure mentions Malava Chakravarti constructing the Azhagiya Manavala
Perumal shrine in memory of his father
Travancore
King Veera Ramavarman’s 1439 – 1468 CE, Cheppu pattayam records that this place
was called Vaikunta Valanattu, NattaRRu pokku Thirukkurungudi, and Maha
Vishnu as Azhagiya Nambi. The Cheppu Pattaya also mentions that Maha Vishnu is
sitting under Udhaya Marthandan’s Kudai (umbrella), bhujapala Veera Soundararama
Varman’s Peedam.
Travancore.
Adityavarman, Kollam 644, 1468 CE period inscription in Tamil and Grantha on
the bell hanging in front of the central shrine in the Nambi temple at
Tirukkurunńgudi records the Gift of the bell The king, who is called as Adittan
of Chiraivāy in Cheyatunga nādu.
The
Ayyanar Temple, on the east side of the Village, Vijayanagara King Krishnappa Nayakar’s
period (1562 - 1572 CE), stone
inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp, for the same lands were
gifted to the temple.
This
Vatteluttu inscription (SII –XIV, No 19, A.R. No. 128 of 1905) of
Marañjadalyan is dated in the 4th reign year and registers a sale by
the mahāsabhaiyar of Vaikuntha-valanādu in Nättärruppokku to Pañchavan
Brahmādhirājan alias Sendan-Sattan of Nellittola in Malainādu, who made it
over to the temple of god Emberuman, who was pleased to be stationed at
Tirukkurungudi, for providing offerings, etc., therein. This record may, for
paleographical considerations be assigned to Varaguna Mahārāja - I.
NOTE:
There
is a shrine of the god Sästä in the Vishņu temple at this place. This is
peculiar, and its existence has to be accounted for by the vicinity of
Tirukkuruńgudi to Travancore, where worship of Sāstā is popular. Sendan Sattan
of Malai nādu was evidently a Malayāļa brāhmans and he appears to have been a
person of some note, as indicated by the title Panchavan Brahmādhirajan borne
by him, apparently as a Pandya official.
A STONE BELONGING TO THIS NAMBI TEMPLE IS NOW IN THE MADRAS MUSEUM.
Ref:
1. South
Indian Inscriptions - Volume - XLI ( Sl Nos 126 to 129 ) and Volume - XIV
2. The
details of the temple by Mr Madhusoothanan Kalaiselvan on YouTube.
3. நெல்லை கட்டபொம்மன் மாவட்டம் கையேடு – Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.
LEGENDS
The
temple at Thirukkurungudi was referred to in Varaha Puranam, Kaisika Mahatmiyam.
As per the Puranas, this place is called Thirukkurungudi, Since Maha
Vishnu Varaha Nayanar, one of the avatars, stayed here with Bhoomi Devi. Maha
Vishnu in Varaha's avatar reduced himself. Hence this place is called Thirukkurungudi. This place is also associated with Maha Vishnu’s Vamana Avatar,
in which, Maha Vishnu shortens himself.
As
per the legend, once Iranyaksha tried to destroy this earth, Maha Vishnu to the
Varaha avatar and retrieved back the earth. Bhoodevi asked Maha Vishnu/ Varaha
Murti, how all living things on the earth attain the lotus feet of Maha
Vishnu. Maha Vishnu replied that it can be attained through Music.
Nampaduvan, a Yazh player/musician/artist, and an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu lived on the
Mehendragiri Hill. He always worships Maha Vishnu with a song in kaisika pan. He
used to worship, Maha Vishnu of this Thirukkurungudi, after observing virth/fast
on Karthigai month valarpirai Suklapaksha Ekadasi day. One day, on the way
to the temple, a Brahma Rakshasa, who was hungry, wanted to eat Nampaduvan.
Nampaduvan promised to come back after worshiping Maha Vishnu, and he could
eat. Since he belongs to the Banar Community, he was not allowed to come inside the
temple. Since the Dwajasthambam was obstructing the darshan, Maha Vishnu asked
to move to the side for the clear darshan for Nampaduvan.
On the way Maha Vishnu in
the form of an old man told Nampaduvan, not to venture in that way, since Brahma
Rakshasa was waiting there to eat him. But Nampaduvan said that he had to go
to Brahma rakshasa since he promised to come back after darshan. Satisfied
with Nampaduvan’s bhakti and truthful behavior, Maha Vishnu Gave darshan. After
reaching the spot, Nampaduvan asked the Brahmarakshasa now he could eat him. But
the Brahma rakshasa said that he could not eat him since he was not hungry. Instead, the Brahma rakshasa asked to give him all the punya that he earned through
worshipping Maha Vishnu. But Nampaduvan declined to give the same since
Nampaduvam promised to offer himself after Ekadasi worship. The Brahma
Rakshasa requests at least half of the punya, pleads for a quarter of the
Punya, and finally begs for a very small portion of the punya, to get relieved
of the curse. When Nampaduvan asked Rakshasa, what is a curse and why he had
become Brahma Rakshasa. Brahma Rakshasa replied that, in his previous birth, Yoga Sharma, an andhanar, was not given due respect for doing Yagna,
reducing the number of chants, offering bad food, etc,. Due to this sin, he has
become a Brahma rakshasa. Brahma Rakshasa further said that he would be relieved only, if somebody gave some punya, after observing the Ekkadasi
Virth. Nampaduvan said that he was under the shadow of Nambirayar. So Namaduvan
advised Brahma Rakshasa to go to Nambirayar’s temple. Brahma Rakshasa went to
the temple and worshipped Nambirayar. Nampaduvan gave the punya that he earned
through worship of Maha Vishnu after observing the Ekadasi Virth. Brahma
Rakshasa returned back to his previous birth form after shedding back Brahma
Rakshasa.
In
another legend, Nammalwar who was born in this place asked Azhagiya Nambi to give
moksha, to Thirumangai Alwar. Thirumangai Alwar who was born at Thiruvali Thirunagari,
attained moksha at this place. Thirumangai Alwar’s adhistanam is in the
Village.
When Ramanuja
arrived in Tirukkurungudi Nambi took Manthra upadesam from Ramanujar, who gave him the
name Vaishnava Nambi.
As per another Legend, King Kari, who ruled
Alwarthirunagari didn’t have a Child. The King prayed to Thirukurungudi, Maha
Vishnu, Nambirayar. Maha Vishnu asked the king what type of child he wanted. The
King replied that he wanted the Child to be Similar to him. Nambirayar directed
the King, to go in the East direction, the 4 eris meeting point where the ants
will crawl in rows and Garudan will fly above them.
The King excavated the spot and found the Maha Vishnu’s
idol. The King constructed a temple later called Vanamamalai Perumal
Temple. With the grace of Maha Vishnu, the King was blessed with a child. The
child was called Nammalwar, one of the 12 Alwars.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted. The 10 days annual
brahmotsavam in the month of Chittirai, Vaikasi Jyeshtabhishekam, Pavitrotsavam in
the month of Avani, Kaisika Ekadasi, Float festival during the month of Thai, etc,.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
This
temple off 1 KM from the Cheranmadevi to Panagudi, a bus route 5 km from
Nanguneri to Valliyur National Highway, 12 km from Valliyur, 16 km from
Nanguneri, 41 km from Tirunelveli, 44 km from Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.
The nearest railway Station is Valliyur.
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
