Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple

Coordinates: 8°26′09″N 77°33′58″E / 8.43583°N 77.56611°E / 8.43583; 77.56611
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Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictTirunelveli
DeityVaishnava Nambi
(Vishnu) Neela Devi
(Lakshmi)
Location
LocationThirukkurungudi
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates8°26′09″N 77°33′58″E / 8.43583°N 77.56611°E / 8.43583; 77.56611
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar Temple in

Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaishnava Nambi and his consort Lakshmi as Thirukurungudivalli.[1] The temple is locally referred as Dakshina Vaikuntam
, the holy abode of Vishnu.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and two of its three bodies of water. The

Tenkalai tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) and Brahmotsavam during the month of Chittirai, being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu
.

Legend

Image of the temple tower

As per accounts in the Varaha Purana, a treatise of Varaha, an avatar of Vishnu, Varaha preferred to stay at this place with his consort Varahi in a small form and hence came to be known as Thirkurungudi (literally meaning a small house).

As per a Hindu legend, Nambaduvan, a peasant and singer (locally called panan) from lower section of the society, was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. On account of his low life, he never entered the temple and worshipped from outside. While walking towards the temple one day, he was stopped by a asura. He sang the verses which he set for the presiding deity to him. He also assured the asura that he will come back from the temple when the asura can consume him. Nambi, the presiding deity was pleased by his devotion and appeared outside the temple. While returning, Nambi appeared as a Brahmin and tried to convince him to escape the asura. But Nambudavan was staunch and wanted to be true to his promise. The asura was pleased by the songs and said it did not want to consume him anymore. It is believed that the asura was a Brahmin who was cursed during his previous birth as he was not sincere doing his penance. He was relieved off his curse listening to the songs of Nambaduvan.[2]

Architecture

Image of festival deities
Image of Nammazhwar

Vaishnava Nambi temple is located in

Srivaikuntam and Avudayarkovil.[6]

In Tamil language the word Nambi means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace. There are five Nambis in this Kshetram. They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located near to the River Nambiyaru, one km from the main temple. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 km from the main temple.[7]

History

Temple tower

The temple has inscriptions from the 10th century during the

Vijayanagara Empire and Vira Vasantha Venkatadeva Maharaja respectively indicating several grants to the temple.[8]

Religious significance

Image of the temple priests carrying the image of festival deity

The temple is revered in

Vaishnavites. A tradition of worshipping Vishnu through dance, music and art is called Kaisika Nataka is believed to have originated at Thirukkurungudi. A festival called Kaisika Ekadasi held at the temple every year. The local belief is that the devotees practising Kaisika Vratha or witnessing the performance would attain Moksha. Arayar Sevai, another form of worshipping Vishnu is also believed to have originated in this place. As per legend, the practise was established by Nathamuni, who was practising with his fellow mates and Vishnu was hiding in the South Mada street and enjoying the performance. Vishnu is also called as Gana Priyan, the one who enjoys music.[2] It is believed that Ramanuja, the proponent of Vaishavadvaita philosophy taught Vishnu about Astakshara and hence the presiding deity came to be known as Vaishnava Nambi.[7]

Festival

Images of Vishnu's avatar Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu

The Chittirai utsavam(festival) in the month of Chittirai (April - May), Vaikasi Jestabishekam during June, Aavani Pavithrotsavam during Aavani (August - September), Float festival during Thai (January - February) and Brahmostavam during March–April are the major festivals in the temple.

The temple follows the traditions of the

tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[9]

References

  1. ^ M. S., Ramesh (1993). 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam..
  2. ^ a b c d S., Prabhu (2 August 2012). "How to reach Thirukkurungudi". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  3. ^ Tourist Guide to South India .Various authors. Page 117.
  4. ^ M., Rajagopalan (1993). 15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu. Chennai, India: Govindaswamy Printers. pp. 129–143.
  5. JSTOR 3250266
    .
  6. S2CID 154135978
    .
  7. ^ a b R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 479–81.
  8. ^ Sewell, Robert (1882). Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Presidency of Madras, Volume 1. E. Keys, at the Government Press. p. 315.
  9. ^ "Sri Azhagia Nambirayar temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.

External links

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