Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya in the Tamil language indicates "premium" and Desam indicates "place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Most of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu follow the Thenkalai tradition. This includes the important temples of Srirangam and Triplicane.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars. Worshipped by – Serpent Gods in Kritha Yuga, Bhoomi Devi in Thretha Yugam and Sage Markandeya in Dwaparayugam.
Though Thiruvali and Thirunagari are two sthalams (places of worship), Azhwars have considered them as one while singing mangalasasanams. Two temples north of ThiruNangur, and within a km of each other, Thiruvaali and Thirunagari, make up one Divya Desam. This is a Pancha Narasimha Shetram. There are 5 Narasimha temples in and around Thiruvaali and Thirunagari.
PRESENT NAME : THIRUVALI
BASE TOWN : SIRKAZHI
DISTANCE : 15 KM
MOOLAVAR : LAKSHMI NARASIMHAN
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
UTHSAVAR : VAYALALIMANAVALAN
THAYAR : AMRUTHAGADAVALLI
MANGALASASANAM : 42 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : ALADHANIGANJAMAPRAJA
THEERTHAM : ILAKSHANI PUSHKARANI
VIMANAM : ASHTASHARA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Amrudhagadavalli nayiga sameda Sri Kedarapathyvaraya parabramane namaha
Goddess Lakshmi wanted the Lord to recognize the efforts of Thirumangai Mannan. Granting her wishes, Lord Vishnu asks her to be born as the daughter of Sage Poorna with the promise that he would come there to provide darshan to Thirumangai Mannan.
Thirumangai Alwar was an armed robber. Once he found a newly married wealthiest bride and bridegroom travelling through the woodlands close to a village called Vedarajapuram lies between Thiruvali and Thirunagari without any guard to protect them. Thirumangai Alwar was anxiously waited for an opportunity to snatch the wealth from the people who were travelling through these woods. As soon as he found the young bride and bridegroom with all the riches on their body, he pounced upon the bridegroom. Instantly, Lord revealed his glorious form to Thirumangai Alwar and advised the Ashtakshara Mantra on his ears. Instantaneously Thirumangai turned out pious at the single touch of Lord. Afterwards, Thirumangai Alwar followed a righteous life and became one of the prominent Vaishnavaite Saints and zealous devotee of Lord. This entire event is enacted here every year on the first day of Panguni Uthiram.
Being the place where Lord Vishnu appeared to share the Thiru Manthiram, Thiruvaali is said to be equivalent to Badri.
It is said that after killing Hiranyakasipu the Lord NarasimhA was still in a furious state; seeing this Devas and munis sent his consort Lakshmi who went and sat on the Lord’s lap; the Lord hugged her and calmed down and as he gives Darshan in this posture the place attained the name Thiruvali. Here the Lord married Thirumagal (Lakshmi) who was grown up by Poorna muni; after giving darshan in that state the lord in the same newly wed state left for Thirunagari; on the way at a place called VedharAjapuram, Thirumangai Azhwar intercepted him to rob and the Lord himself bestowed him with the ‘Thiru Mandhira upadhesam’.
Pancha Narasimha Kshetram
With five Narasimha temples in and around Thiruvali-Thirunagari, this Divya Desam is called a Pancha Narasimha Kshetram. At Kuraiyalur, the birth place of Thirumangai Azhvaar, one finds Ugira Narasimha. At Mangai mutt, where Mangai Mannan fed a 1000 Vaishnavites as per the wishes of Kumudavalli, there is Veera Narasimha.
At Thirunagari, there are two Narasimha idols- Yoga Narasimha and Hiranya Narasimha and here at Thiruvali, one sees Lakshmi Narasimha with the Goddess on his right lap.
Thirumangai Azhwar was a small King with Aalinadu as the capital and hence he came to be known as Aalinadan. His wife Kumudhavalli nachiyar grew up here.
Kulasekara Azhwar has sung a pasuram and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung forty one pasurams on this Deity. There is no facility for staying here and one can stay at Seerkazhi and visit this shrine.
Festivals : Vaikasi Swathi 10 Days Festival, Aavani Pavithrothsavam, Thai 12 Garuda Sevai, Panguni Uthram.
Nearest Railway Station: Sirkazhi
Nearest Airport: Trichy, Chennai
Thiruvali,
Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District.
Tamil Nadu.
Phone : 04364 – 256927 Mobile : 94433 72567 ; 96297 58828 ; 94433 72967.
PRESENT NAME : THIRUNAGARI
BASE TOWN : SIRKAZHI
DISTANCE : 20 KM
MOOLAVAR : VEDARAJAN
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : WEST
UTHSAVAR : VAYALALIMANAVALAN
THAYAR : AMRUTHAVALLI
THEERTHAM : ILAKSHANI PUSHKARANI
VIMANAM : ASHTASHARA VIMANAM
Known by different names Lakshmipuram, Aalinganapuram, Srinagari and Vigneswaranallur, this place is located 7 Kms East of Seerkazhi. Located at the South bank of Uppanaru, it has Karuvarai, Arthamandapam, Mahamandapam and 5 inner prakarams. It has three West facing Gopurams with 7, 5 and 3 stages respectively.
Moolavar: Vedharajan in sitting posture with SriDevi and BooDevi, facing West; he is also referred to as Vayalalimanavalan.
This lord is also known as Kalyana Ranganathar as he gave darshan to Thirumangai Azhwar in that state. Kannan, Aandaal, all Azhwars, Aalinganapureeswarar, Nathamunigal, Udayavar and Desikar also decorate the prakarams.
This temple is mentioned in the uthara kandam of Garuda puranam. Known as Vilvaranyam this place is one of the Pancha Narasimha ksethrams with lord having manifested as swayampu Yoga Narasimhamoorthy.
This is the only Divya Desam where one can see ‘Kalyana Ranganathar’ in a sitting posture.
Brahma’s son Karthama Prajaapathi undertook penance at Thirunagari wanting Moksham. With Lord Vishnu refusing to consider Goddess’ request of providing Moksham to Prajaapathi, an upset Lakshmi left Paramapatham and hid herself here at Thirunagari. Missing her presence, Lord came down in search and finally found her in a pond here. Hence this place came to be called ‘Thiru’(Sri) Nagari, to mark the event of Goddess Lakshmi having stayed here.
Lord Vishnu’s eyes represent Sun and moon, so he closed his left eye which represents moon and looked at the pushkarani with his right eye. The Lotus flower bloomed when they saw the sun and he found Sri Lakshmi in the Lotus flower. He took her in his arms. Since Sri Lakshmi stayed in this place it is known as Sripuram.
While the Lord informed Prajaapathi that there was still time left for Moksham, he offered to grant any other wishes to Brahma’s son. Though dejected, Prajaapathi requested that the Lord and Goddess remain here in the same form so all the devotees could have darshan.
Thirumangai Azhvaar seen with his trademark spear (Vel)
Thirumangai, who had won over Thirugnana Sambandhar(seen earlier in the Seerkazhi Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram story) is seen here like a hunter with a spear.
Thirumangai had a golden sculpture of his done at Thirukurungudi. It is believed that he transferred all his powers to this sculpture before he attained Moksham at Thirukurungudi. This idol was then moved to Thirunagari, near the birth place of Thirumangai Azhvaar and to date remains the idol of Thirumangai, on whom the daily pooja is undertaken here at ThiruNagari.
To win over his sweet heart Kumudavalli, Thirumangai fed a 1000 vaishnavites here as per the condition laid down by her). To this day, one can see the mandapam, called Mangai Mutt, where Thirumangai fed these Vaishnavites.
Festivals : Vaikasi Swathi 10 Days Festival, Aavani Pavithrothsavam, Thai 12 Garuda Sevai, Panguni Uthram.
Nearest Railway Station: Sirkazhi
Nearest Airport: Trichy, Chennai
Thirunagari,
Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District.
Tamil Nadu.
Phone : 04364 – 256927 Mobile : 94433 72567 ; 96297 58828 ; 94433 72967.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars. Worshipped by – Serpent Gods in Kritha Yuga, Bhoomi Devi in Thretha Yugam and Sage Markandeya in Dwaparayugam.
Though Thiruvali and Thirunagari are two sthalams (places of worship), Azhwars have considered them as one while singing mangalasasanams. Two temples north of ThiruNangur, and within a km of each other, Thiruvaali and Thirunagari, make up one Divya Desam. This is a Pancha Narasimha Shetram. There are 5 Narasimha temples in and around Thiruvaali and Thirunagari.
Divya Desam 29 - Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple:
PLACE : THIRUVALIPRESENT NAME : THIRUVALI
BASE TOWN : SIRKAZHI
DISTANCE : 15 KM
MOOLAVAR : LAKSHMI NARASIMHAN
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
UTHSAVAR : VAYALALIMANAVALAN
THAYAR : AMRUTHAGADAVALLI
MANGALASASANAM : 42 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : ALADHANIGANJAMAPRAJA
THEERTHAM : ILAKSHANI PUSHKARANI
VIMANAM : ASHTASHARA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Amrudhagadavalli nayiga sameda Sri Kedarapathyvaraya parabramane namaha
Goddess Lakshmi wanted the Lord to recognize the efforts of Thirumangai Mannan. Granting her wishes, Lord Vishnu asks her to be born as the daughter of Sage Poorna with the promise that he would come there to provide darshan to Thirumangai Mannan.
Thirumangai Alwar was an armed robber. Once he found a newly married wealthiest bride and bridegroom travelling through the woodlands close to a village called Vedarajapuram lies between Thiruvali and Thirunagari without any guard to protect them. Thirumangai Alwar was anxiously waited for an opportunity to snatch the wealth from the people who were travelling through these woods. As soon as he found the young bride and bridegroom with all the riches on their body, he pounced upon the bridegroom. Instantly, Lord revealed his glorious form to Thirumangai Alwar and advised the Ashtakshara Mantra on his ears. Instantaneously Thirumangai turned out pious at the single touch of Lord. Afterwards, Thirumangai Alwar followed a righteous life and became one of the prominent Vaishnavaite Saints and zealous devotee of Lord. This entire event is enacted here every year on the first day of Panguni Uthiram.
Being the place where Lord Vishnu appeared to share the Thiru Manthiram, Thiruvaali is said to be equivalent to Badri.
It is said that after killing Hiranyakasipu the Lord NarasimhA was still in a furious state; seeing this Devas and munis sent his consort Lakshmi who went and sat on the Lord’s lap; the Lord hugged her and calmed down and as he gives Darshan in this posture the place attained the name Thiruvali. Here the Lord married Thirumagal (Lakshmi) who was grown up by Poorna muni; after giving darshan in that state the lord in the same newly wed state left for Thirunagari; on the way at a place called VedharAjapuram, Thirumangai Azhwar intercepted him to rob and the Lord himself bestowed him with the ‘Thiru Mandhira upadhesam’.
Pancha Narasimha Kshetram
With five Narasimha temples in and around Thiruvali-Thirunagari, this Divya Desam is called a Pancha Narasimha Kshetram. At Kuraiyalur, the birth place of Thirumangai Azhvaar, one finds Ugira Narasimha. At Mangai mutt, where Mangai Mannan fed a 1000 Vaishnavites as per the wishes of Kumudavalli, there is Veera Narasimha.
At Thirunagari, there are two Narasimha idols- Yoga Narasimha and Hiranya Narasimha and here at Thiruvali, one sees Lakshmi Narasimha with the Goddess on his right lap.
Thirumangai Azhwar was a small King with Aalinadu as the capital and hence he came to be known as Aalinadan. His wife Kumudhavalli nachiyar grew up here.
Kulasekara Azhwar has sung a pasuram and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung forty one pasurams on this Deity. There is no facility for staying here and one can stay at Seerkazhi and visit this shrine.
Festivals : Vaikasi Swathi 10 Days Festival, Aavani Pavithrothsavam, Thai 12 Garuda Sevai, Panguni Uthram.
Temple Timings:
07:30 am to 11:00 am ; 04:00 pm to 09:30 pmLocation :
15 kms from Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi to Poompuhar Bus RouteNearest Railway Station: Sirkazhi
Nearest Airport: Trichy, Chennai
Temple Contact Details:
Arulmigu Azahiyasingar Thirukkoil,Thiruvali,
Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District.
Tamil Nadu.
Phone : 04364 – 256927 Mobile : 94433 72567 ; 96297 58828 ; 94433 72967.
Divya Desam 29 - Sri Vedaraja Perumal Temple:
PLACE : THIRUNAGARIPRESENT NAME : THIRUNAGARI
BASE TOWN : SIRKAZHI
DISTANCE : 20 KM
MOOLAVAR : VEDARAJAN
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : WEST
UTHSAVAR : VAYALALIMANAVALAN
THAYAR : AMRUTHAVALLI
THEERTHAM : ILAKSHANI PUSHKARANI
VIMANAM : ASHTASHARA VIMANAM
Known by different names Lakshmipuram, Aalinganapuram, Srinagari and Vigneswaranallur, this place is located 7 Kms East of Seerkazhi. Located at the South bank of Uppanaru, it has Karuvarai, Arthamandapam, Mahamandapam and 5 inner prakarams. It has three West facing Gopurams with 7, 5 and 3 stages respectively.
Moolavar: Vedharajan in sitting posture with SriDevi and BooDevi, facing West; he is also referred to as Vayalalimanavalan.
This lord is also known as Kalyana Ranganathar as he gave darshan to Thirumangai Azhwar in that state. Kannan, Aandaal, all Azhwars, Aalinganapureeswarar, Nathamunigal, Udayavar and Desikar also decorate the prakarams.
This temple is mentioned in the uthara kandam of Garuda puranam. Known as Vilvaranyam this place is one of the Pancha Narasimha ksethrams with lord having manifested as swayampu Yoga Narasimhamoorthy.
This is the only Divya Desam where one can see ‘Kalyana Ranganathar’ in a sitting posture.
Brahma’s son Karthama Prajaapathi undertook penance at Thirunagari wanting Moksham. With Lord Vishnu refusing to consider Goddess’ request of providing Moksham to Prajaapathi, an upset Lakshmi left Paramapatham and hid herself here at Thirunagari. Missing her presence, Lord came down in search and finally found her in a pond here. Hence this place came to be called ‘Thiru’(Sri) Nagari, to mark the event of Goddess Lakshmi having stayed here.
Lord Vishnu’s eyes represent Sun and moon, so he closed his left eye which represents moon and looked at the pushkarani with his right eye. The Lotus flower bloomed when they saw the sun and he found Sri Lakshmi in the Lotus flower. He took her in his arms. Since Sri Lakshmi stayed in this place it is known as Sripuram.
While the Lord informed Prajaapathi that there was still time left for Moksham, he offered to grant any other wishes to Brahma’s son. Though dejected, Prajaapathi requested that the Lord and Goddess remain here in the same form so all the devotees could have darshan.
Thirumangai Azhvaar seen with his trademark spear (Vel)
Thirumangai, who had won over Thirugnana Sambandhar(seen earlier in the Seerkazhi Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram story) is seen here like a hunter with a spear.
Thirumangai had a golden sculpture of his done at Thirukurungudi. It is believed that he transferred all his powers to this sculpture before he attained Moksham at Thirukurungudi. This idol was then moved to Thirunagari, near the birth place of Thirumangai Azhvaar and to date remains the idol of Thirumangai, on whom the daily pooja is undertaken here at ThiruNagari.
To win over his sweet heart Kumudavalli, Thirumangai fed a 1000 vaishnavites here as per the condition laid down by her). To this day, one can see the mandapam, called Mangai Mutt, where Thirumangai fed these Vaishnavites.
Festivals : Vaikasi Swathi 10 Days Festival, Aavani Pavithrothsavam, Thai 12 Garuda Sevai, Panguni Uthram.
Temple Timings:
07:30 am to 11:00 am ; 04:00 pm to 09:30 pm.Location:
2 kms from Thiruvali.Nearest Railway Station: Sirkazhi
Nearest Airport: Trichy, Chennai
Temple Contact Details:
Arulmigu Vedharajan Thirukkoil,Thirunagari,
Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District.
Tamil Nadu.
Phone : 04364 – 256927 Mobile : 94433 72567 ; 96297 58828 ; 94433 72967.
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