Sri Perarulalan Perumal Temple (Thiru Semponseikovil) Seerkazhi - Divya Desam 33

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.

Divya Desam 33 - Sri Perarulalan Perumal Temple:

PLACE : THIRUSEMPONSEIKOIL
PRESENT NAME : THIRUNANGUR
BASE TOWN : SIRKAZHI
DISTANCE : 8 KM
MOOLAVAR : PERARULALAN
THIRUKKOLAM : NINDRA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
UTHSAVAR : SEMPONARANGAR
THAYAR : ALLIMAMALAR NACHIYAR
MANGALASASANAM : 10 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : RUDRAN
THEERTHAM : NITHYAPUSHKARANI
VIMANAM : KANAGA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Sweda Pushpavalli nayiga sameda Sri Hemaranganatha parabramane namaha

Thiru Semponsei Kovil is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Thirunangur, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu. Located under ½ km East of Purushottamar Divya Desam is Sempon Sei Arangar Divya Desam in Thirunangur. Sempon Arangar is said to have come from Uraiyur. Hence the Lord here has 2 Goddesses similar to Azhagiya Manavaalan of Uraiyur.

History & Legend:

Of the 108 Divya Desas, this is the temple for which Lord Himself raised the fund to build this temple. Lord blesses devotees facing east. Perumal is praised by many names as Semponnarangar, Herambar and Perarulalan. The Vimana above the sanctum is known as Kanaka Vimanam. He is Arulalan in His Paramapatha kingdom. As He is also with us for ever pouring his grace, He is called Perarulalan-All Merciful. Mother Alli Mamalar Nachiar is gracing the devotees along with Mother Bhoomadevi.


A Brahmin, Kashyapa by name, living in Kancheepuram lost all his wealth and was reduced to a pauper. He came to this holy land, chanted the ‘Ohm Namo Narayanaya’ mantra 32 thousand times within three days surrendering at Lord’s feet. All Merciful Perumal blessed him with all riches.


While returning to Ayodhya after killing Ravana in war, Lord Sri Rama stayed in the hermitage of Sage Dhrudanetra Muni. As suggested by the sage, to cleanse Him of the Brahmmahati dosha for killing Ravana, Lord Rama made a big Golden Cow, entered into it and performed penance for four days. Then He donated the golden cow to a Brahmin on the fifth day. He sold the cow and used the proceeds to build this temple. As the temple was built with sale proceeds of the golden cow, the place came to be known as Sem Pon Sei Koil – Sempon-pure gold, koil-temple.


Those worshipping Lord here in all sincerity will be relieved of the poverty they are in with good jobs and progress financially, it is believed. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. Sages Rudra and Dhrudanetra Muni had the gift of enjoying the darshan of Lord in this temple.


Aipasi Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in the temple in October-November on the Swati Star day, the birth star of Perumal. On the day following Thai Amavasya-new moon day in January-February, Perumal of this temple joins the 11 Garudaseva festival – 11 Perumals coming in procession on Garuda.

Temple Timings:

07:00 am to 10:00 am ; 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

Location:

From Sirkali 8 kms. Sirkazhi to Annankoil Bus Route. From Annankoil 3 kms towards South.

Temple Contact Details:

Arulmigu Perarulalan (Semponnarangar) Thirukkoil,
Semponseikoil
Thirunangur – 609 106
Nagapattinam District.
Tamil Nadu.
Phone : 04364 – 236172 ; Priest : Ramani Deekshithar