Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 14th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Lord
was of the view that in Kali Yugam men would have to listen to women ( husband
to listen to wife’s words). Hence, much before that, he decided that he would
first serve as an example and listen to the Goddess here. On all occasions, the
first rights are reserved for the Nachiyar. Even the food is first served to
the Nachiyar and only then to the Naraiyur Nambi.
Being a temple where Goddess has prominence, one can see the Lord slightly by
the side and the Goddess is the one who has the prominent position inside the
sanctum. Even from the entrance of the temple, one gets a glimpse of
Vanjulavalli Nachiyar.
Naachiyaar
Koil in Thiru Naraiyur is one of the few Divya Desams where Goddess has
prominence over the Lord. Some of the other Divya Desams where Goddess is
dominant are Srivilliputhur, Uraiyur and Thiruvellarai. While Srivilliputhur is
called Naachiyaar Thiru Maaligai, Thiru Naraiyur is called Naachiyar Koil.
There is no separate Sannidhi for Goddess and she is always seen together with
the Lord.
Rishi
Medhaavi wanted Goddess to be born as his daughter and undertook penance on the
banks of the Manimutha river. Please with his penance, Goddess was born under
the Vanjula tree and the Rishi brought her up as Vanjula Valli.
Missing the Goddess, Lord is said to have come here to Thiru Naraiyur, given
the Goddess all the powers in his 5 different forms (Sankarshanan, Pradhyumnan,
Anirudhan, Purushothaman and Vasudevan) and accepted Goddess who was waiting in
a wedding attire. Both Lord and Nachiyar are seen here in a beautiful wedding
posture, a unique feature at this Divya Desam.
This
is the only Divya Desam where Lord is seen with a conch and charka in front of
his face.Also, interestingly, Thiru Naraiyur Nambi is seen leaning forward
slightly to indicate the initiation of Pancha Samaskaaram.
Thiru
Mangai Mannan (Neelan) who was the army chief of a Chozha king once wanted the
hand of Kumudhavalli. She said she could accept him only if he came to her with
a true Vaishnavite identity. ThiruMangai Mannan looked to ThiruNaraiyur Lord to
give him the Vaishnava identity and help him secure the hand of Kumudhavalli.
ThiruNaraiyur
Nambi is said to have initiated ThiruMangai Mannan with the Pancha Samaskaaram,
which is the true identity for a Vaishnavite. Thus, Thiru Mangai Mannan
(Neelan) became Thiru Mangai Azhvaar.
Thiru
Naraiyur Nambi is the only Divya Desam Lord to have offered the Pancha
Samaskaram initiation to anyone. As a mark of initiating the Pancha Samaskaaram
on the Azhvaar, Lord Srinivasa is seen leaning forward slightly, quite a unique
sight at this temple.
Thiru
Naraiyur Lord praised as Nambi: Lords of only a few Divya Desams have been
praised as Nambi. The most prominent among them is Thiru Kurungkudi, the other
one being the Lord here who is referred to as Thiru Naraiyur Nambi. An Achaarya
is referred to as Nambi and since Thiru Naraiyur Lord initiated the Pancha
Samaskaram to ThiruMangai Mannan, he became the Achaarya of Thiru Mangai
Azhvaar and hence the Azhvaar referred to him as ‘Thiru Naraiyur Nambi’.
ThiruNaraiyur Nambi is also credited with the bringing together of Thirumangai
Azhvaar and Kumudhavalli, as he was the one who initiated the Pancha Samaskaram
to the Azhvaar, making him a true Vaishnavite.
The
temple has been built in such a way that one can see the sanctum even from outside
the temple premises. With several layers, each comprising of several steps,
leading to the sannidhi, the sanctum looks like being atop a hill, on first
looks from the temple entrance.
Garuda,
the vehicle of the lord, is of special significance at this temple. The story
goes that a sculptor who was creating an image of Garuda suddenly found the
idol flying after he had made its wings. Shocked at this sudden action, the
sculptor threw a stone at Garuda and struck him on the nose. Garuda came
falling down and decided to settle here at this place and bless the devotees.
A
huge and well built Lord Garuda is seen just next to Lord Srinivasa’s Sannidhi.
In the Tamil month of Aadi, Thiru Naraiyur Nambi makes a visit to Garuda’s
Sannidhi.
A
magical event during Garuda Sevai - Garuda increases in weight manifold
During street procession (Margazhi and Panguni), an unbelievable event takes
place at the Nachiyar Koil. While only 4 people carry Lord Garuda out of his
Sannidhi, as the Lord goes out of each Layer and prakaram, he is said to
increase in weight, that 8 people, 16 and then 32 people are required to carry
Lord Garuda out of the temple. Finally, when the Lord is taken outside the
temple, Garuda increases in weight so much that 128 people are required to carry
the Lord. On his way back, it is said that Garuda mount decreases in weight and
finally when he is back in the Sannidhi, only 4 people are required to carry
him.
There
is huge tank 648 feet long and 225 feet wide in front of the temple, It has a
number of steps in the 3 sides. This tank is like a river and so it is called
as "Mani Muthaaru". There is a beautiful tale behind the name of this
pond. Once king of the birds Garuda, took a diamond head ornament to Narayur
Nambi from Thiruparkadal. A diamond (Mani) accidentally fell from the ornaments
into this pond. As the precious stone fell into the pond degrading it's status
to ordinary pearl (Muthu), this tank is known as Mani + Muthi + Aaru (tank or
pond).
An old Brahmin wanted to see all the Divya Desams. However, he could not visit
because of his old age. The old Brahmin prayed before ThiruNaraiyur Nambi, who
is said to have given the idols of all the 108 Divya Desam Lords to the
Brahmin. This is the only Divya Desam where the idols of all the 108 Divya Desams
can be seen.
Another
unique feature at this Divya Desam is that the Vimaanam above the Sanctum
Sanctum is like a tower. This is the only Divya Desam where one finds a10 feet
Brahma in a standing posture within the sanctum. In other Divya Desams one finds
the image of Brahma on the wall.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Thirunarayur Nambi, Sri Srinivasan, Sri Vasudevan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Vanjulavalli Naachiyar |
|
Theertham |
Manimuktha Nadhi (Pushkarini) Theertham |
BELIEF:
Kal
Garuda is said to answer the prayers of devotees immediately and remove all
Doshams. Childless couples, unmarried women, people with Naaga Dosham will also be relieved if they pray to the Kal
Garuda at Thiru Naraiyur temple.
The
prime festival or Brahmmotsavam is a 10-day festival celebrated during the
Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January). Garuda Sevai is
celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April). During
both these festivals, the festive images of Kal Garuda are taken out around the
streets of the temple. Vasanthothsavam or spring festival is celebrated during
the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June). The
Thirukalyana Utsavam or the wedding festival is celebrated in the 100-pillared
hall during the Tamil month of Aavani (September–October).
HOW
TO REACH:
This
temple is at the 6th mile from Kumbakonam on Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur route. It is
better known as "Nachiyyar Koil". The temple is on road-side and no
much facilities are available here. Either we had stay at Kumbakonam or at
Oppiliyapan Temple and visit this temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi
Perumal Koil,
Nachiyar Koil,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu – 612602.
LOCATION:
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