The visit to this Sri Vedarajan / Kalyana Ranganathar Temple
at Thirunagari was a part of Temples Visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 15th September. After
Thiruvali Azhagiyasingar’s darshan, our next destination was to the Thirunagari
Vedarajan Temple.
Thiruvali & Thirunagari are treated as one ( 37th )
Divya Desam of 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu and mangalasasanam was done
by Thirumangai Alwar with 41 pasurams and Kulasekaralwar. And this is one of
the 11 Divya Desams, aka known as Thirunangur Tirupathis and one of the
Pancha Narasimha temples around Thirunangur. Thirunagari is also called as
Alingnapuram and Vilvaranyam during ancient time as Vayalali during Thirumangai
Alwar period and maintains till Vijayanagara period.
எஞ்சா வெந்நகத் தழுந்தி
நடுங்குகின்றேற்கு
அஞ்சேலென் றடியேனை ஆட்கொள்ள
வல்லானை
நெஞ்சே நீநினையாது இறைப்பொழுதுமிருத்திகண்டாய்
மஞ்சார் மாளிகைசூழ் வயலாலி மைந்தனையே
…. திருமங்கையாழ்வார்
ஆலினிலை பாலகனா யன்றுலக
முண்டவனே
வாலையை கொன் றரசிளைய வானரத்துக்
களித்தவனே
காலின்மணி கரையலைக்கும்
கணகபுரத்தென் கருமணியே
ஆலிநகர்க் கதிபதியே அயோத்திமனே
தாலெலோ.
…. குலசேகரர்
Moolavar : Sri Vedarajan
Urchavar : Sri Kalyana Ranganathar
Thayar : Amuthavalli
Thayar : Urchavar Sri Ranganayagi
Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with three Rajagopurams. The 1st and
entrance Rajagopuram is of 7 tiers, the second level Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers
and the third level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. A mandapa is in between the two
Rajagopurams. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are after the 1st level
Rajagopuram.
The sanctum sanctorum is little elevated with flight of 9
steps to climb. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala ardha
mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Vedarajan is in sitting posture
with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Ranganathar’s reclining on Adhiseshan posture
bas-relief is on the lintel of sanctum sanctorum entrance. Yoga Narasimhar is
on the backside koshtam of Moolavar.
Thirumangai Alwar is also in a separate Temple like sannidhi
in ardha mandapam with Dwajasthambam and balipeedam. A Vimanam is also on the
sanctum sanctorum. Hiranya Narasimhar is on the back side of koshtam of
Thirumangai Alwar sannidhi. Thirumangai alwar with his consort are in a
separate sannidhi with a separate Dwajasthambam in the praharam.
Amuthavalli Thayar ( Lotus pond is around the sanctum which
is related to sthala purana ) and Andal are in a separate temple like sannidhis
in the prakaram facing west. In addition to this sannidhis for
Ramanujar, Udayavar, Kannan, Nadha Munigal and Desikar.
ARCHITECTURE
This is a mada type of Temple in which a vetru thalam added
below the main temple. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. Ranganathar in sayana Kola bas
relief is on the top of Sanctum Entrance in place of Gaja Lakshmi. Dwarapalakas
are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Moolavar Maha Vishnu is in sitting
Posture along with Sri Devi and Bhudevi.
The sanctum sanctorum is on on the veRRu thalam raised to about 3.30 meters. The adhistanam is of padmabandha adhistanam with padma jagathy
and silambu kumudam.
The sanctum sanctorum is measuring 4.93 meters square on a
Upanam, kapothabandha adhistanam is with prativari, vedhigai, Vishnukantha
pilasters with square base and Nagabandham, poomottu pothyal. The Vimanam 3rd
of lower tiers are protruding out side as padra with kudapanjaras in between
them. The Koshtas are with mahara thoranas, which are empty, without images. In
greeva koshtam Yoga Narasimhar, Vishnu in Uthkudi asana and Maha Vishnu in
sukasana. The niches between mandapam and
Vimanam are with Kuda panjaras.
The sanctum sanctorum is with sanctum and ardha mandapam.
Mukha mandapam is empty. The moolavar Kalyana Ranganathar is on a platform
abutting the back wall. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides sitting in
Sukasana. Moolavar’s front right hand is
in abhaya hastam and left hand is in kadaka hastam. Chanku and chakra are on
upper hands. Perumal is in Greeda
makudam, wearing Makara kundalam, ornaments in neck and hands.
The Vimana is of single tier, from Greevam to Sigaram is of 8
faces Dravida Vimanam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu's various avatars are on
the Vimanam.
Sanctum sanctorum wall with Pilasters, Kumba pancharam and niches
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that it is one of the Mada Temples built by Ko
Chengat Chozha, for Maha Vishnu even though he was a Shaivite. As per ARE
1918, 406 to 409, 4 inscriptions are recorded from this temple and the earliest
belongs to Vijayanagara period. As per the inscriptions Perumal of this temple
was called as Ulakuyya
Veetruruntharuliya Nayanar alias Vayalali Manavalar.
The Viruppanna Udayar’s inscription
( 1386 CE ) records that this was called as Thirunagar alias Vigneswara nallur
under Rajathi Raja valanadu. The
inscriptions list the lands between Kaviri and Kollidam, gifted to Vayalaali
MaNavalar as sarvamanyam.
Krishna Devaraya’s 1517 CE
inscription records his victory and dik Vijayam. It also gives the details of
donations made to Shiva, Vishnu temples with name of the Villages in Chozha
mandalam. They are, Chirapalli,
Kattupalli, Nagari, Nangur, Azhunthur, Thevur, Thiruvinnagara Akalangan,
Manikuzhi, Pugalur, Muttam, Vaigal, Pathiripuliyur, Thinai Nagar,
Iraivanaraiyur, Seravan mangalam, Navalur, Thittaikudi, Kanattaamarpullur,
Thyagavalli Grama Vinnagar, Kurichi, Pandanainallur, Thalachangadu, Pungur,
Kurukkai, Visalur, Thalainayiru, Thirumangalakudi, Velliyakudi, Thirunthuthevankudi,
Suriyanar Koil, Kodikka, Courtalam, Kuraiyalur, Virkudi, Sirukudi, Achalpuram,
Valputhur, Nallur, Andar koil, Gangaikondan, Thirumiyachur, and vazhuvur.
The inscription without King’s name
records that the names of the Andhanars who recited the Vedas and lands gifted
to them at this Ulakuyya Veetruruntharuliya Nayanar alias Vayalali Manavalar
Koil. The pieces of Najai, punjai lands, Cows and Parikalans at Jayangonda Chozhavalanattu Thalachangadu,
Rajendra Chozha Nallur
The Inscriptions in Telugu and
Tamil records that Perumal temple thirupani was done through Chennai Bolepalli
Namperumal Trust, trustee Ramanujakoodam Ramanujam on 29th January
1940.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Lakshmi left Srivaikundam
to Bhoolok and hide in the Thirunagar temple tank / pushkarani lotus flower
bud. Lord Vishnu came in search of her and could not find. His eyes are Suriyan
and Chandran. When closed his left eye and looked through the right eye (
Suryan ). The Lotus flowers bloomed and found out Lakshmi. Since Lakshmi Stayed
here this place is called as Sripuram.
Thirumangai Alwar got initiated the Narayana
Mantra from Lord Vishnu of this temple. Hence Maha Vishnu is being called as
Vedarajan. He also received the Vel from Thirugnanasambandar after victory over
a debate. Thirumangai Alwar had made an idol of his own and transferred
all his power to this idol and attained mukti.
Thirumangai Alwar as roberer looted the ornaments of Lord
Vishnu and Sri Lakshmi, who were passing by as bride and bridegroom near
Vedapuram, to decorate Lord Vishnu of this temple. Latter Ranganathar blessed
him. As a mark of this legend, during annual celebration Vedupari Thiruvizha is
celebrated in a grand manner.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Thirumangai Alwar Mangalasasana utsava festival will be
celebrated as Garuda Seva in the Tamil month Thai ( January - February ).
Respective Urchavars will be brought from all 11 Thirunangur
Thirupathis on the Garuda Vahana and Thirumangai Alwar & his consort
Kumudhavalli Nachiyar in Hamsa Vahana to Thirunangur ( From Thirunagari )
Manimaadakkoil. Thirumangai Alwar’s all pasurams will be recited on the
occasion. The Urchava murtis of Thirumangai Alwar with his consort Kumudhavalli
Nachiyar will be taken in palanquin to all the 11 Thirunangur Divya Desams and
respective pasurams will be recited in each temple. The Garuda Seva Utsavam is
a 3 days festival, which starts with Manjal Kuliyal Utsavam on the first
day. Lakhs of devotees in and around Sirkazhi used to attend the festival.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs
and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Padmanabha Bhattar may be contacted on his land line / mobile
numbers 04364
275699/94433 72567.
HOW TO REACH:
Thiruvali and Thirunagari are about 10 KM from Sirkazhi and 5 KM
away from each other.
Thiruvali is about 30 KM from Chidambaram.
Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.
