DIVYA DESAMs - 31/108 - Thirusembonseikoil Name of the Divya Desam : Semponnarangar temple Location : Thiru Nangoor, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Semponnarangar Perumal/ Sri Perarulalan Thayaar (Consort) : Allimamalar Nachiyar Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing) Thirumugam (Facing) : East Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Thirumangai Azhwar Sthalapurana (Brief History) : As per legend while returning to Ayodhya after killing Ravana in the war, Lord Sri Rama stayed in the hermitage of Sage Dhrudanetra Muni. As suggested by the sage, to cleanse Himself of the Brahmmahati dosha for killing Ravana (an ardent Shiva Baktha), Lord Rama made a big golden cow, entered into it and performed penance for four days. Contd..2 -2- After completing the penance, Lord Rama donated the golden cow to a Brahmin. The Brahmin sold it 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, Sei-made, koil-temple. As per another legend a Brahmin named Mukundan, living in Kancheepuram lost all his wealth and was at the lowest ebb of poverty. He came to this holy land, chanted the ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ mantra 32 thousand times within three days surrendering at Lord’s feet. All Merciful Perumal blessed him with all the riches. As the Lord is forever pouring his grace to all His devotees, He is called Perarulalan-All Merciful. About the temple: Of the 108 Divya Desams, this is the only temple where the Lord Himself has raised funds to build it. Based on the above legend, the Vimaanam (tower above the sanctum) is known as Kanaka Vimanam. Thiru Semponnarangar Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in the month of January every year. It is believed that those who worship Lord Semponnarangar here will get the equivalent benefit of worshipping the Lord at Kancheepuram, Tirumala and at Srirangam. �Proud to be a Hindu�⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contd..2 -2- DIVYA DESAMs - 32/108 - Thirumanimada Koil Name of the Divya Desam : Narayana Perumal temple Location : Thiru Nangoor, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Narayana Perumal/Sri Nandavilakku Perumal Thayaar (Consort) : Pundareekavalli Thayar *Thirukkolam (Posture) :*Veetrirundha(Sitting) Thirumugam (Facing) : East Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Thirumangai Azhwar Sthalapurana (Brief History) : As per legend Lord Shiva had to get rid of the Brahmahatti Dosham – the sin of having decapitated Lord Brahma. He conducted a yaga for this purpose. At the conclusion of the austerities, Lord Vishnu appeared before Lord Shiva along with the celestials. Lord Shiva then requested Lord Vishnu to show His 11 forms. Lord Vishnu obliged and revealed Himself in 11 different and beautiful forms. So, the 11 Divya Desams in Thirunangoor, it is believed, came to please Lord Shiva. The presiding deity of Badrinath Temple, Badri Narayanar, is also believed to have visited this place on the request of Lord Shiva. Lord Naryana Perumal of Thirumanimada Koil stands as a lamp which spreads Gnana to the world and Nara Narayana of Badrinath taught Gnana to himself, thus both are equivalent in terms of Gnana. Nanda Vilakku is the lamp which gives light continuously. Here the Perumal stands as Nanda Vilakku giving the Pranava Gnana oli (Light of knowledge) to all His devotees. Contd..3 -3- About the temple: Sri Ramanujar is believed to have learnt Tirumandiram from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi at this place. During his lifetime, the Vaishnavite saint Thirumangai Azhwar accompanied by his wife Kumudavalli Thayar walked through the paddy fields to the 11 Divya Desams in and around Thirunangur and finally reached the temple of Narayana Perumal to celebrate the * Garudotsavam or Garudasevai festival. * The Azhwar sung verses in praise of all the gods and performed aradhanai for each of them. It is believed that as he walked on the paddy fields, the harvest would always be plentiful. During the * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in a grand manner on the month of January, the festival deities of all the surrounding Ten Perumal temples of Thirunangoor are brought on Garuda Vahanam (vehicle of Lord Vishnu) to this temple and including this temple's festival deity Narayana Perumal, are all assembled in the Mandapam(Assembling area) here for the festival proceedings. The people of the entire surrounding villages accommodate all the Vaishnava bhakthas as their family members, on these two festival days and ensure that all get blessed by the congregation of the Eleven Perumals. A festival never to be missed in anyone's lifetime. �Proud to be a Hindu�⁠⁠⁠⁠ DIVYA DESAMs - 33/108 - Thiruvaikuntha Vinnagaram Name of the Divya Desam : Vaikunthanatha Perumal temple Location : Thiru Nangoor, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Vaikunthanathan/Sri Thamaraikannudaya piraan Thayaar (Consort) : Ubhaya Nachiyar/ Vaikunthavalli Thayar *Thirukkolam (Posture) :*Veetrirundha(Sitting) Thirumugam (Facing) : East Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Thirumangai Azhwar Sthalapurana (Brief History) : Contd..2 -2- As per legend King Swetakethu of Ikshavagu dynasty loved every one and was a living example of honesty and integrity. He and his queen Damayanthi had a passion to visit Vaikundam to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu. As a king, he completed all his political duties and started doing penance with his queen. After severe penance, they shed their mortal coil and reached Vaikundam but could not find their Lord Vaikuntha Vasan. They stood sad and by then Maharshi Narada came there. They fell at his feet and enquired him why they could not get the darshan of the Lord. Narada replied that though they performed severe penance but failed to perform even small Homas and charities, that was the cause of this failure. The remedy was that they had to worship Lord Iravadeswarar on the banks of Cauvery on Earth and appeal to Him, who would help them to have Lord Vaikunda Vasan's darshan. Swetaketu and Damayanthi, prayed to Lord Iravadeswarar and begged his help for Perumal darshan. Lord Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said that He too was waiting for Perumal darshan and suggested that they could join him in penance. Meantime, Sage Udanga Maharshi also joined them in the penance. Thus four performed penance together. Lord Vishnu appeared before them with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Lord Iravadeswarar prayed that the place where the darshan was granted should be honoured as Vaikuntha Vinnagaram and that He should bless the devotees ever as in Vaikuntham. Thus, Perumal here is known as Sri Vaikunthanatha Perumal and Mother is known as Vaikunthavalli Thayar. About the temple: Vaishnava Saint Thirumangai Azhwar says "vaikuntha viNNagaram vaNangu madanenjE" (Oh Mad mind, pray at Vaikuntha Vinnagaram), at the end of all pAsurams in Periya Thirumozhi, 3.9.1 - 10. Contd..3 -3- Here Lord Perumal sits as in Vaikuntham. One hand resting on knees, another on the floor. Since its like Vaikuntham, in this temple there is no Dwajasthambam, no separate GarudAzhwar, thAyAr and other sannidhi's. Only one sannithi that houses Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, NeelA devi samEtha Sri Vaikuntha Natha perumal. Infront of the temple, only a small sannidhi along the walls that houses Surya Narayana Perumal is seen. Thiru Vaikunthanatha Perumal temple is one among the eleven Thirunangoor temples. The procession deity of this temple will assemble along with other ten temple's deities during grand * ‘Garudasevai Festival’ * which is celebrated in the month of January every year. This is a place where one can have the direct Vaikuntha darshan of Lord on Earth itself before reaching Him after life. This place is considered as His Paramapada on Earth. �Proud to be a Hindu�⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contd..2 -2- DIVYA DESAMs - 34/108 - Thiruvaali-Thirunagari Name of the Divya Desam : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal temple(Thiruvaali), Sri Vedaraja Perumal temple(Thirunagari) Location : Thiruvaali / Thirunagari, Sirkazhi circle, Nagapattinam Dist Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal (Thiruvaali), Sri Vedaraja Perumal (Thirunagari) Thayaar (Consort) : Amrudakadavalli Thayar (Thiruvaali), Amruthavalli Thayar (Thirunagari) Thirukkolam (Posture) : Veetrirundha(Sitting) Thirumugam (Facing) : East (Thiruvaali), West (Thirunagari) Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Thirumangai Azhwar, Kulasekara Azhwar Sthalapurana (Brief History) : Thiruvaali As per legend after killing demon king Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha was still in a furious state. His fury could not be softened by anyone. Devas and Rishis were afraid that His fury would destroy the whole universe and begged the help of Mother Mahalakshmi. She obliged and sat on Lord’s right lap, the Lord embraced her and calmed down. As the Lord embraced (Aalinganam in Sanskrit) hence the place is also known as Aalingana Puram – Thiruvaali. Thiru in tamil refers to Mother Mahalakshmi. Thirunagari As per Hindu legend, Karthama Prajapathi (son of Lord Brahma) did penance worshipping Lord Vishnu to attain Moksha. MahaVishnu was not pleased and tested Karthama for some more time, MahaLakshmi was not convinced with Vishnu's testing. She left Vaikunta, came down to the earth and hid herself in the lotus tank at this place. Vishnu came down and after a long search found her here. Since Goddess Lakshmi stayed here, it's called Thirunagari ( Thiru in tamil refers to Mother Mahalakshmi, Nagari - place). Contd..3 -3- About the temple: Thiruvaali & Thirunagari, both the temples are worshipped as One Divyadesam. Being the place where the “Thirumandhiram” was taught to Thirumangai Azhwar by the ALMIGHTY HIMSELF, the temple is being worshipped as equal as Badrinath. Thiruvaali An unique feature of this temple is that Mother Mahalakshmi is on the RIGHT lap of the Lord Narasimha, a rare Darshan. Thirunagari Every year on the Tamil Panguni month Uthiram night (March-April), the waylaying of the Lord by Thirumangai Azhwar and the Thirumandhira Upadhesam by the Lord are enacted in a grand festive manner.