The Nanmadiya Perumal Temple (also known as Thalachanga Nanmathiyam) is a Hindu temple in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE.

Nanmadiya Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Vishnu, known as Nanmadiya Perumal, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Talaichanga Nachiar.

Story/Legend of the Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

Vishnu is said to have manifested for Chandra, the moon god, who worshipped Vishnu here. According to Hindu mythology, Chandra, the moon deity, is second behind Surya, the sun god, among the Navagrahas, or nine planetary deities. He is also thought to be the brother of Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort because he appeared during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Chandra once performed rajasuya yajna, a sacrifice attended by all the celestial deities. Tara, Brihaspati’s (Jupiter’s) wife, was attracted to Chandra.

The moon deity kidnapped Tara from Brihaspati, resulting in the Tarakamaya War. Brihaspati cursed Chandra to suffer from sickness. Budha (Mercury) was born for Chandra by Tara.

According to the temple’s regional folklore, Chandra began worshipping Vishnu here to break the curse. Because the ruling deity wields the legendary conch, this location became known as Talaichankam, with cankam referring to the conch. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

Thirumangai Alvar’s Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a 7th-9th century Sri Vaishnava canon, mentions the shrine. The temple is a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples described in the Hindu sacred books. Several writings, like the 108 Tirupati Antati by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar, reference the temple in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The architecture of Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

The Nanmathiya Perumal temple is located in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Nanmadiya Perumal Temple is designed in the Dravidian style. Chandra Pushkarani is a temple with a single-tiered gopuram and a temple tank in front of it. There is one precinct and two shrines at the temple. A shrine to Naanmadiya Perumal faces east in the temple. It has a conch that is unique in its sort. It is situated on the Kaveri River’s southern bank. The area was famed for conch during the Chola regime since it was adjacent to their port town of Poompuhar.

Cilappatikaram is mentioned in the Sangam literature. The Chola rulers visited the shrine and the surrounding area. Suntara Ramanuja repaired the temple after it had fallen into disrepair. The reigning god, like Shiva, wears a crescent on his head.

Facts about Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

• Nanmadiya Perumal Temple is located in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore district. We must first travel to Aakur from Mayavaram, and then it is about 2 kilometres away on the road to Seerkazhi. Kaviripoompatinam is 7 kilometres away.
• Those who are dealing with unfavourable aspects of the Moon are encouraged to seek assistance from the temple and love the Lord and Mother.
• The Lord and Sree Mahalakshmi came to the location in the Chandra Vimaanam (= Vishnu and Mahalakshmi’s aerial ship).
• The Nanmadiya Perumal Temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the book.
• Vishnu relieved Chandra of all his curses in gratitude for his devotion. As a result, this location became known as Chandra Saabhaharan.
•  In gratitude, and in order to share the blessings, Chandra requested Vishnu to continue to reside at the place and receive his devotees at the Nanmadiya Perumal Temple.
• The belief is that if one bathes at the temples of Srirangam, Thiru Indalur and Thalaichangadu, one could be cured of leprosy.
• Thirumangai Alwar, the famous saint-poet, refers to the sacred waters of the temple pond in praise in one of his compositions, the Siriya Thiru Madal, and said Mannum mani mada koil, manaalana nanneer, Thalai changa naan madiyanaai.
•  It is said that the sacred waters of the temple pond taste differently here.
• Vishnu and Shiva are depicted together in several facets in a unique way. While Perumal appears with a crescent moon on his head, Shiva is standing and looking east.

Famous Festivals In Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a significant occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.

How to reach Nanmadiya Perumal Temple

The Naanmadiya Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India.

By Air: The closest airports are in Trichy and Chennai.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is in Sirkali.

By Roadways: Thalaichangadu is 15 km from Sirkali on the Karaikal road. The temple is 2 km away from the bus stop.

Also Read – Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple