This place is called Nanguneri since this
place is on the midpoint of 4 Eris (ie, meeting point of 4 eri corners). Hence, it was called Nangu Eris, which has been corrupted to the present name of Nanguneri.
This place is also called Thirucheer Varamangai and is one of 8 Maha Vishnu
temples, where Moolavar is of swayambhu.
This is one of the 108 Divyadesam
and Mangalasasanam done by
Nammalwar.
நோற்ற நோன்பு இலேன் நுண்
அறிவு இலேன் ஆகிலும் இனி உன்னை விட்டு
ஒன்றும் ஆற்ற
கிற்கின்றிலேன் அரவின் அணை அம்மானே
சேற்றுத் தாமரை செந்நெல்
ஊடு மலர் சிரீவரமங்கல நகர்
வீற்றிருந்த எந்தாய் ! உனக்கு மிகை அல்லேன் அங்கே.
….. நம்மாழ்வார் ( 3299 )
தெய்வ நாயகன் நாரணன் திரிவிக்கிரமன் அடி இணைமிசை
கொய் கொள் பூம் பொழில் சூழ்
குருகூர்ச் சடகோபன்*
செய்த ஆயிரத்துள் இவை தண் சிரீவரமங்கை மேய பத்துடன்
வைகல் பாட வல்லார் வானோர்க்கு ஆரா அமுதே
… நம்மாழ்வார் ( 3309 )
Moolavar : Sri
Vanamamalai Thothatrinathan Perumal
Utsavar : Sri
Deivanayaga Perumal
Thayar : Sri
Varamangai
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with Chetru Thamarai Kulam, and the
temple tank is on the right side of the temple. The first level Rajagopuram is
of 7 Tiers, and the second level Rajagopuram is of 3 Tiers. Moolavar in the sanctum is similar to
Vaikuntam, under Adiseshan’s hood with Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Neela Devi. Oorvasi
and Thilithamai as Whisk bearers, Brughu Muni, Markandeya Maharishi, Suryan, and
Chandran are in the Sanctum Sanctorum. It is believed that all murtis are
swayambhu. Garudan and Viswaksenar are in the ardha mandapam.
In praharam Chakkarathalwar, Gnanapiran, Lakshmi
Varahar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Viswaksenar, Venugopalan, Raman, Garudan, Maha
Vishnu’s 10 Avatars. The 12 Alwars, which include Nammalwar, are in the Kulasekara
Mandapam, 32 Rishis, Udayavar, Koorathalwar, Pillai Lokachariyar, and Thumbikai
Alwar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, and Maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha
upanam and adhistanam with Padma jagathy, kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti
starts with vedikai. The Pilasters are Vishnu kantha/vrutha pilasters with
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and pushpa pothyal. Kumbha panjaras are shown
between karnapathi and salai pathi. The Koshtas are padra koshtas. The prastaram
consists of valapi, Kapotam with nasikudus and madhalam. The mahara thundams are
on the corners. From adhistanam to prastaram, the temple was built with stone, and the superstructure was built with bricks. The Vimanam is of 3 tiers, which
include adi tala. The Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in the greeva koshtam, and there are no images in the Deva Kostam and tala koshtam. The Sigaram is of
Dravida style. The Vimanam is called Vaikunta vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As
per Subbu Reddiar, A Pandya King married a Chera Country Mangai called Vanavan
Mahadevi; hence, he was given the title of Vanavan. This temple was built by
him, and this has got the name of Vanamamalai.
There are 13
inscriptions, inscribed both in Tamil and Vattezhuthu, from this
temple.
The
inscription without King’s name, 6th reign year, records the
remission of taxes by the king at the request of
Kalingarayar on the land at Sivaramangai Chaturvedi Mangalam given to the temple of
Paramasvamin at Sivaramangai in Vaga nadu by Tiruvaykkulam Udaiyan Vanamamalai
Pichchan of Veliyärrür living at Parantakanallür in Naduvir kůru, a
sub-division of [Mila] laik-korram for special offerings and worship on the day
of Mula in which the king was born.
The Pandya King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi
Konerimai Kondan’s 6th reign year inscription (ARE 251, 1927 – 28) records the order to the assembly of Śivaramangai chaturvedimangalam giving
effect to the above grant.
The Pandya King Maravarman alias Thiribhuvana Chakravathi
Sundara Pandyadeva (who having taken Chozha country, was pleased to perform the
anointment of Heroes at Mudikindasolapuram), 20th reign year
inscription (ARE 252, 1927- 28) on the south side
wall of the temple is incomplete. Seems to
record an endowment for the sacred bath of god Vanamamalai-Emperuman on the day
of Püram in Adi which was the natal star of.. Kaman alias SenbagapperaiNayar of
Malai mandalam.
The Pandya King Maravarman alias Thiribhuvana
Chakravathi Sundara Pandyadeva ( who was pleased to present Chozha Country
The Pandya King Maravarman alias Thiribhuvana
Chakravathi Sundara Pandyadeva ( who was pleased to present Chozha Country),13th reign year inscription (ARE 253, 1927 – 28)
records a gift of 1 ½, achchu to the temple servants (tiruppadiyar) by a
resident (name lost) of Maruvaykkurichchi in Pachcharrappökku for the daily
supply of a nali of food to the servant tending the flower-garden called
Arulaladasar tirunandavanam, attached to the temple.
The Pandya King Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi
Kulasekaradeva’s 6th reign year inscription (ARE 254, 1927 – 28), Stones
lost. Connected with Nos. 250 and 251 above. The inscription records the preliminary order of the king while he was seated on
the throne called Kalingarayan in his palace at Valliyür, to the
Srivaishnavas of the temple at Sivaramangai remitting the taxes on some lands
at Śivaramangai chaturvedimangalam which had been given originally as a
devadana to the temple and then converted into tirappu (tax-paying), to
provide for the daily offerings and worship in the temple and for the
celebration of special festival for the deity on the day of Mula the natal star
of the king, instituted by Tiruvaykkulam Udaiyan Vanamamalai Pichchan.
The Pandya King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi
Konerimai Kondan’s 6th reign year inscription (ARE 255, 1927 – 28) was built at the beginning of each line.
Record the confirmation of the above order at the request of Kalingarayar. The
signatories of this document are different from those of the previous one.
The Pandya King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi
Konerimai Kondan’s 16th reign year inscription (ARE 256, 1927 – 28), Built in. Registers an order of the
king (while seated in the middle hall at Sarigaikkottai) granting 12 mà of
land at Pannangudi in Mulli nadu as a tiruvidaiyattam for the expenses of
offerings and worship during the service instituted in the name of the (Pandya) king.
The Pandya King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi
Konerimai Kondan’s (16)th reign year inscription (ARE 257, 1927 –
28) begins with the introduction of Samastabhuvanaikavīra, etc., of King Vikrama Pandya. Conveys an order of the
king to the temple authorities giving effect to the grant recorded in No. 256
above.
The Pandya King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi
Konerimai Kondan’s saka 1511, 1579 CE inscription (ARE 258, 1927 – 28), purports
to be an order of the deity while receiving the Römaśārādhana being seated on
the Ramanujan Peedam under the canopy Vanaramalai Pichchan in the temple,
issued to a certain Anaittalaguńkanda Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeeyar granting him
and his disciples a daily allowance of 3 kuruni of offered food out of the
endowments secured by him to the temple. Mentions Vitbalarája and Basavappa Nayaka
among the donors.
The Pandya King Jatavarvarman alias Thiribhuvana
Chakravathi Sundara Pandyadeva’s 8 +1 reign year inscription (ARE 259, 1927 –
28) was built at the beginning and middle. Registers a gift of land for
conducting a festival in the month of Chittirai on the day of Uttiram, the
natal star of King Vira Kodai Keralan.
The Pandya King Kulasekradeva’s 37 + 1 reign
year inscription (ARE 260, 1927 – 28 ), records a gift of money by Pérayiram
Mayilēruvan alias Mannarilañjāda Śridevar of Perumpalañji in Vaikunda Valanadu
for a sataköpan in silver.
The Travancore King Ramavarman’s Kollam 720-year inscription (ARE 261, 1927 - 28) States that when the god was seated
on the Ramavarman pitham under the canopy called Vanamamalai Pichchan pandal,
certain perquisites were granted to Ramanuja Jiyan for the writing of the
sumaya kanakku (accounts). The grant was made at the instance of King
Ramavarman, who was then camping at Sanbagaramanallar.
The Travancore King Ramavarman’s Kollam 766 and
Saka 1513, 1581 CE year’s inscription (ARE 262, 1927 - 28), Records the grant
by the temple authorities and the assemblies of Sivaramangai etc., of the right
of fishing ( pasi ) in the Solapandya pereri to certain residents in return for
clearing the silt of the tank every year.
Sundara
Pandyan-II’s period 1284 CE inscription on the eastern Rajagopuram records the
gift of land to the temple.
The
Vikrama Pandya-III period 1299 CE inscription inscribed on the northern wall
records the gift by the King.
Srivaramangala copper plate records
that the 17th reign year Kalavazhi Nattu Velangudi was Changed to Srivaramangalam and gifted to this temple.
From
the Vijayanagara period, the temple was under the administrative control of
Travancore Kings. A Sanyasi called Pushpanjali was entrusted with donations
from the Kings.
The
1447 CE inscription records that the administrative control was taken over by
Vanamamali Mutt. The first Jeeyar arranged for the installation of the Consort
Vanamamalai from Tirupati.
During the 17th Century, the Vanamamalai priests were replaced by namboothiris
from Tirupati. Then, the Jeeyar sought the help of the ruling Nayaka king to resolve
the local disputes.
The
1794 CE inscriptions record the gift of lands by Nawab of Carnatic Abdul Umra
to the Mutt.
Ref:
1. Annual
Report on South Indian Epigraphy, the Year 1927 – 28.
2. The website Keetru
2. The website Keetru
On 13th April 1963, the Mandapam/Paintings
was renovated by Marukalkurichi Deivanayaka Thevar’s son Irulappa Thevar.
As per the History, the Vanamamali Mutt was established
about 750 years before by the first Vamamamalai Jeeyar Swamigal, the first
disciple of Poiyillatha Manavala Mamunigal, who was a descendent of Sri
Ramanujar. Sri Madurakavi Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamigal, is the present
Jeeyar of Vanamamalai Mutt.
After 110 years, the thirupani was completed at an
estimated cost of Rs 18 crores, and Maha samprokshanam was conducted on 29th
June 2018.
In another version about the Vanamamali mutt, in 1447
CE, a Vaishnava saint came to Nanguneri, and the Namboothiri Brahmins handed over the temple
administration to the Saint. The saint was the first Jeeyar of the Vanamamali
mutt. But do not know whether he is responsible for the establishment of the
Vanamamali Mutt.
LEGENDS
As per the Legend, King Kari, who ruled
Alwarthirunagari, does not 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
would crawl in rows and Garudan would fly above them.
The King excavated and found the Vanamamalai
Perumal. The King constructed a temple for Vanamamalai Perumal. Later, with the
grace of Maha Vishnu, the King was blessed with a child. The child was called Nammalwar, one of the 12 Alwars.
It
is believed that Thayar Varamangai was the daughter of the Jeeyar
Vanamamalai Mutt and Maha Vishnu, as Devapiran married her.
Adiseshan did a penance at this place to get a
similar position to Sri Vaikuntam. Maha Vishnu was satisfied with Adiseshan’s
penance and granted the boon. Hence, Maha Vishnu and Thayar are sitting under
the hood of Adisesahan, similar to Srivaikuntam.
One of Jeeyar's images on the ceiling
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted
on Vaikunta Ekadasi and all Vaishnava festivals.
12 days Brahmotsavam and Theppotsavam are celebrated
in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs and
12.00 hrs and between 17.00 hrs and 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The landline number +91 may be contacted for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
place Nanguneri is on the Highway from Tirunelveli to Nagercoil &
Kanyakumari via Valliyur. The temple is on the banks of Chetruthamarai Kulam
and 1 km from Naguneri railway station, 2 km from Nanguneri village, 15 km from
Thirukkurungudi another divya desam, 27 km from Tirunelveli, 50 km from
Nagarcoil, and 52 km from Kanyakumari.
The nearest
Railway station is Nanguneri.LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Dwajasthambam with gold-plated kavacham
Narasimhar
Dancing ladies
Natarajar
Pichadanar
Veerabhadra
An octagonal Shrine
Thaila / Oil well
Dancing Vinayagar
Veerabhadra
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
அருமையான பதிவு அருமை வாழ்த்துக்கள்
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