Thirumanimadam also known as Narayanan Perumal temple is located in the Thirunangur village, near Sirkazhi town, in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. It is considered Divya Desam and Lord Vishnu’s favourite place to live. He is enshrined in this temple as Narayana Perumal or Badri Narayana Perumal, so it is also known as the Narayana or Badri Narayana Perumal temple. In this temple, the Goddess is Pundareeka Valli.

The Lord of this temple has been extolled in songs by the famous Azhwar saints, making this a Vishnu Divya Desam. This is a Thirunangur Tirupathi, or one of Thirunangur’s 11 sacred Vishnu shrines, as well as a Divya Desam. Thirumangai Azhwar, the saint-poet who has revered all of these deities and sung poems in their honour, lives in this belt.

Story/Legend of the Narayanan Perumal Temple

The legends of Thirunangur’s eleven temples are inextricably linked. According to tradition, the Hindu god Shiva began dancing in rage at this location following the death of his consort Uma as a result of Daksha’s yajna (sacrifice). Eleven additional incarnations of Shiva appeared whenever his lock of hair hit the ground. The celestial deities were concerned that if the dance continued, entire creations might be decimated. They appealed to Vishnu for assistance, who appeared at this location. Shiva’s rage subsided when he saw Vishnu, and he asked Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like him. Vishnu came in eleven various avatars at Tirunangur at his request.

The eleven spots where Vishnu appeared are thought to be the locations of the eleven temples in Tirunangur. According to another version, Shiva asked Vishnu to appear in eleven different forms like him in order to manage the eleven Shiva forms he created. The eleven Rudras, known as the Ekadas Rudras, and the deva ruler, Indra, are said to have worshipped Vishnu at this temple. The presiding deity of Badrinath Temple, Badrinath, is said to have visited the spot at Shiva’s invitation. At this location, Ramanuja is said to have learned Tirumandiram from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. 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 Narayanan Perumal Temple

Peryalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar, and Thirumangai Alvar worship the shrine in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th-9th century Vaishnava canon. The temple is a Divyadesam, which is one of the 108 Vishnu temples described in the Bible. The temple is mentioned in various publications from the 18th and 19th centuries, including 108 Tirupati Antati by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.

Architecture of Narayanan Perumal Temple

It lies in Thirunangur, a little village 10 kilometres from Sirkali on the road to Thiruvenkadu. The temple tank is directly across from the temple. The temple contains inscriptions from the 10th-century Chola and Nayakkar dynasties. The temple includes a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and all of the shrines are surrounded by a granite wall. A flight of steps leads to the centre shrine, which is situated on an elevated building. During the Thirumangai Alvar Utsavam, a hall adjacent to the right of the raja gopuram houses the festival image of the fourteen temples in Thirunangur and its environs.

The shrine of Narayana Perumal’s consort is placed in the second precinct, which surrounds the sanctuary. The presiding deity’s picture is displayed in the sanctum in a standing stance facing east. The temple tank is placed just across from the gopuram. The gopuram has three openings through which the sun’s rays fall on the picture of the ruling god. Surya, the son god, is said to worship Vishnu all year round, according to tradition.

Facts about Narayanan Perumal Temple

• Narayanan Perumal Temple is located in the Thirunangur village, close to Sirkazhi town in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu.
• The temple tank is located right across the temple. Inscriptions from the 10th century Chola and Nayakkar periods are seen in the temple.
• The Thirumanimadam is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• Saint Thirumanagai Alvar is said to visit the site every year for the festival to consecrate the eleven deities. According to local traditions, the fresh winds that swirl the paddy fields before the festival day indicate a healthy harvest for the season.
• According to the Alvar saints’ tales, the site was named Thirumanimadam because of the opulent houses in the area that had balconies.
• According to another tradition, the sages Madangar, Domyar, Vyagrapadar, and Udangar established their hermitages here.
• According to the epic Mahabharata, Datsagan, the strong serpent king who assassinated King Parikshit, governed Nagapuri, which later became Nangur.
• The Lord is seen to be exceedingly benevolent in this area. People who are unwell or have health issues, as well as those who are facing challenges in their careers, pray to them for respite and betterment.

Famous Festivals In Narayanan 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.
• The Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
  

How to reach Narayanan Perumal Temple

Narayanan Perumal Temple is located in Thirunangur, a small village, 10 km away from Sirkali en route to Thiruvenkadu.

By Air: The nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 miles) away from the town.

By Railway: Sirkazhi railway station is about 11 kilometres from here.

By Roadways: Devotees can travel from nearby towns like Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai and visit this temple.

Also Read – Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple