17. SRI NEELAMEGA PERUMAL TEMPLE THANJAIMAMANI

Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu	One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam
Region	Chola Naadu
Chola Naadu	17th Vishnu Sthalam

HISTORY:

Thiru Thanjaimamani Koil is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located on the river banks of Vennar in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The three Temples of Lord Sriman Narayana positioned here are Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Thiru Manikundram and Thiru Thanjayali temple considered as one Divya Desam. Brahmanda Puranam describes the grandeur of this sacred land. The three Vaishnavaite saints Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar and Nammalvar sung praising the glories of Lord Sriman Narayana in this temple.

01. Thiru Thanjaimamani Koil – Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple:
Presiding deity – Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan,Sri Neelamega Perumal with his consort Goddess Sembakavalli Thayar/Senkamalavalli Thayar
Pratyaksham to – Sage Parasara
Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar
Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar
Sannidhis – Lord Hayagreevah, Alwars, Sri Vedantha Desikar, Sri Garuda Alwar

02. Thiru Manikundram:
Presiding deity – Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan, Sri Manikundra Perumal with his consort Goddess Sri Ambujavalli Thayar
Pratyaksham to - Sage Markandeya
Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar
Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar

03. Thiru Thanjayali Nagar:
Presiding deity –Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan, Lord Narasimha with his consort Goddess Sri Thanjai Nayaki
Pratyaksham to – Sage Markandeya
Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar
Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar

The legend has that in Kritha Yuga there were three demons Thanjakan, Thandakan and Gajamukhan underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased at the devotion of the three demons and appeared before them. The demons requested for a boon of immortality to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva advised them that Lord Vishnu as a Preserver could provide such a boon. However Lord Shiva provided them with a boon that he will do no harm to them.

The three demons were turned out haughty with the extra-ordinary boon provided by Lord Shiva and they started harassing entire deities and Rishis. In the meantime, the entire universe had undergone severe drought and famine. Surprisingly, there was only one sacred land remained undisturbed where Sage Parasara was following severe austerities and propitiating Lord Hari. The three demons arrived on this land; they started assaulting Sage Parasara and tried all their arrogant means to vanquish him from this lush green land. Sage Parasara called out for Lord Hari loudly for help.

Instantaneously, Lord Sriman Narayana sent Garuda to kill the army of demons. At last, Lord himself appeared before the demons and beheaded all of them. Thanjakan regretted about his deeds and begged to pardon him. Thus, the sacred land has got its name Thanjakanur and later years came to known as ‘Thanjavur’.

The demon Gajamukhan appeared as an elephant (Yali) and entered in a battle with Lord. Lord Sriman Narayana took the form of a half-man and half-lion form (Lord Narasimha) and killed him. Gajamukhan also regretted at his misdeeds and begged to pardon him. Thus, this place came to known as ‘Thanjayali’.

The demon Thandakan found shelter in Patal Loka, Lord took the form of a wild boar (Varaha) plunged into Patal Loka and killed him. He also realized his stupidity and begged for pardon. The place where Thandakan was got killed came to known as Dhandakaranyam. Lord appeared as ‘Bhuvaraha Murthy’ on the Earth after beheading Thandakan, this sacred place is known as Thirumuttam – Srimushnam. Finally, the most compassionate Lord provided all three demons with salvation.

Temple Greatness:

Lord Mahavishnu Himself is in the discus as Chakarathazhwar in Veera Narasimhar temple. The idol is beautifully sculptured showing Lord placing His hand on an elephant. There is also an idol nearby worshipping Lord. The portrayal is described as Thanjakasura (the elephant) and the little idol as the demon figure worshipping the Lord after correcting himself of his bad traits. Thus, it is taught that pardon is available to the wicked correcting themselves. Behind is Lord Yoga Narasimha in sitting posture with Hiranyakasibu and Prahladha. Darshan of Chakarathazhwar is considered very important.

Mother Mahalakshmi on the left of Lord of Narasimha is on His right in the shrine at Neelamega Perumal temple prakara in sitting form. This Narasimha is also called Valavandhai (right side) Narasimha. Lord Narasimha was in high fury after killing Hiranya. As Mahalaskhmi would be absent in places dominated by anger, She has chosen the right side, it is said. It is advised that those of short tempered nature should correct themselves if they wish to have the grace of Mother Mahalakshmi.

Lord Vishnu who destroyed the demons graces in three separate temples as Neelamegar, Manikundra Perumal and Veera Narasimha in three forms. Saints Boodhathazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar had sung the glory of the three Perumals together in their hymns. The three temples form a single Divya Desa. Saint Tirumangai Azhwar had sung the Mangalasasanam twice for the temple. Lord Veera Narasimhar blesses the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum along with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Instead of abishek only Thailakappu is done for the three presiding deities.

As procession deity, Neelamega Perumal is holding the Sengol-the royal stick of authority. Procession Mother is wearing a crown of Fire but soft and smiling in look. Sage Parasara is in the sanctum in worshipping posture.

Presiding Lord appears in a sitting posture. The Lord is Veera Narasimhar in Singaperumal Koil. Sri Yoga Narasimha is in the front Mandap. Also Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is in the prakara of Neelmega Perumal temple, Abhayavaradha Narasimhar on the Garudazhwar Vimana and Kambathadi Yoga Narasimha on the pillar of Thayar shrine. Thus there are Five Narasimha Lords in the temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Neelamegar, Sri Veera Narasimhar, Sri Manikundrar
Ambal	Sri Sengamalavalli, Sri Thanjai Nayaki, Sri Ambujavalli
Theertham	Amirtha Theertham

BELIEF:

Lord Hayagriva the authority of Wisdom is facing north with Mother Mahalakshmi the Goddess of Wealth. Devotees worship Lord and Mother offering cardamom garlands, light ghee lamps with sugar candy as niedhana to gain academic excellence.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

The major festival, the twelve-day Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (April - May). Masi Mahotsavam is another ten-day festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March). During these festivals the legend of marriage of Padmasini with Sowrirarjan is enacted. As per the legend, Uparasiravasu, the ruler of fisherman community was trying to remove grains from a storehouse, when a watchman intercepted. Later during the day, the same watchman appeared as Lord Vishnu to the ruler. He was pleased and got his daughter Padmasini married to Vishnu. The festive idol is so depicted to render a hand to his consort. During the festival, sacred water used during the ablution of the festive deities is distributed to devotees. There are religious discourses, musical performances and floats organized during the festival. The other Vaishnavite festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Karthigai, Tamil New Year, Margazhi ten-day festival, Sankaranthi, Panguni Uthiram and Rohini Utsavam are celebrated.

HOW TO REACH:

Singaperumal koil is 3 km from Thanjavur old bus stand on the Kumbakonam route. The three temples are nearby to one another.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple,
PalliAgraharam,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: