DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 10thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Located
about 30 kms East of Tirunelveli on the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur highway, Aathi
Naathan Temple in Azhvaar Tirunagari is one of the Nava Tirupathi temples on
either side of Taamaraibarani. This place is also referred to as Aathi
Kshetram, Varaaha Kshetram, Theertha Kshetram, Thaantha Kshetram and Sesha
Kshetram and is also called Thiru Kurugur. Most of the inscriptions here date
back a 1000years.
There
is a separate Sannidhi for NammAzhvaar said to be more significant than the
main Sannidhi itself for it was here that he spent 16 years in silence. This is
the only Divya Desam to have the name of the Azhvaar.
Naatha
Muni, who came here to compile the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham composition, is
said to have met with Madura Kavi Azhvaar and picked up ‘Kanninun Sirutha
Ambinaal’ composition from him. It is believed that Naatha Muni recited these
verses 12000 times before NammAzhvaar appeared before him to share the contents
of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham, which Naatha Muni wrote and compiled.
3
days before the end of the Raama Avataar, Lord Yama came to meet Raama. Given the
timing, Raama asked Lakshmana not to allow anyone inside. Unfortunately for
Lakshmana, it turned out that Sage Durvasa chose to meet with Raama. Knowing
the sage’s anger and not wanting to be at the receiving end, Lakshmana remained
silent and allowed him entry.
As
he stood still like a tree and did not stop the Sage from coming in, as
instructed by him, Raama pronounced that Lakshmana turn into a tree. Saddened
by this, Lakshmana pleaded before Raama that he could never live away from him.
Consoling him, Raama said that he himself had to atone for the sin of making
Sita stay in the forest and that he would be born as NammAzhvaar and stay
‘still’ for 16 years. During this period, he would sit under the tamarind tree
(Lakshmana).
He
directed Lakshmana to the banks of Taamaraibarani, where he would get
transformed into a tree. When born, Nammazhvaar is said to have not opened his
eyes or cried. He resided under the tamarind tree within the Aathi Naathan
temple for 16 years till he met Madurakavi (who later became his disciple) who
posed some interesting questions about life. And that is when NammAzhvaar is
said to have spoken for the first time.
So
impressed was MaduraKavi (Azhvaar) with Nammazhvaar’s answers, that he said ‘I
do not need God, Nammazhvaar is enough’.
The
legend has that Goddess Boodevi was abducted by the demon Hiranyaksha and hid
her on the Rasathala, deep under the ocean. Lord Brahma was in a dilemma to
resume his ‘Creation’. He approached Lord Vishnu to find a solution for this
serious issue. Lord Vishnu transformed into a wild boar and plunged into deep
under the ocean. He killed the demon Hiranyaksha gracefully lifted Boodevi from
the deep ocean. Thus, Lord Vishnu saved Mother Earth from the clutches of the
demon; therefore this sacred land came to known as Varaha Kshetram.
A
special feature at the Aathi Nathan temple at Azhvaar Thirunagari is the stone
nadaswaram said to be over 350 years old. This is one of the three Divya Desams
in TN where Araiyar Sevai, the visual song and dance enactment of the
‘Paasurams is still being performed.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Aadhinathan Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Aadhinadha Valli, SriGurukoor Valli |
|
Theertham |
Tamira Barani Nadhi Theertham |
All afflictions that
happen due to the navagraha curse will be alleviated by workshipping the
deities at navatiruppatis.
An important festival
at this temple is Vaikasi Utsavam, when the deities from all the Nava Tirupathi
temples congregate here on the occasion of Garuda Sevai to listen to Paasurams,
with Nammazhvaar seated on the Hamsa Vaahanam.
HOW
TO REACH:
Alwar
Thirunagari is 34 kms from Tirunelveli after Sri Vaikuntam. Buses are available
from Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Aadhinatha Swamy
Temple,
Azhwar Tirunagari,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu - 627108.
LOCATION:
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