DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 19thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
The
2000 year old Divya Desam praised by ThiruMangai Azhvaar and BhoothathAzhvaar
is on the outskirts of Chennai, about 5 kms West of Pallavaram. At Thiru
Neermalai, one finds Lord Vishnu in four forms - Sitting, Sleeping and Walking
posture atop the hill and Standing posture in the temple at the foot of the
hill. Tiruneermalai Neervanna Perumal temple is one among the 108 Divya Desas
of Perumal. Lord appears in four postures. Narasimha blesses here as Lord Bala
Narasimha.
This
is a hill temple. There are two big temples both at the top and the foot hill.
Lord appears in four forms representing three incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The
temple has a beautiful Teppakulam-tank covering three acres with a Mandap at
the centre. This is praised as Suddha Pushkarini, Ksheera Pushkarini, Karunya
Pushkarini and Swarna Pushkarini. Two time puja is performed in the temple
according to Vaikanasa Agama rules. Lord Sri Rama is in separate shrine.
Sage
Valmiki, author of the celebrated epic Ramayana, desired to have the wedding
darshan of Lord Sri Rama. He came to this place and performed penance to
achieve his aim. Lord Rama appeared before the sage as he wished with Mother
Sita and brothers Sri Lakshmana, Sri Bharatha and Sri Satrugna. The sage wished
the Lord to stay in the place for the benefit of all devotees and Lord was
happy to oblige him. The sage is in a separate temple at the foot of the hill.
As He is in a place surrounded by water (Neer in Tamil), He is praised as Neer
Vanna Perumal and the place Tiru Neer Malai – meaning mount surrounded by
water. Sage Valmiki as a swayambu appears in a worshipping form in the shrine.
Saint
Tirumangai Azhwar came to this place for Perumal’s darshan. He could not see
Perumal as the mount was surrounded by water. Azhwar decided to wait and have
the darshan of Lord and stayed in the opposite hill. Though days moved, water
level did not recede. He was steadfast in his determination and waited till the
water level lowered, had the darshan.
Pleased
with His devotee, Perumal granted four darshans to Azhawar – Neer Vanna Perumal
standing, Narasimha sitting, Ranganatha reclining and Ulagalanda Perumal in
walking postures. The devotee can enjoy these darshans in the temple. Lord
Neervanna Perumal is at the foot of the hills while Ranganatha, Narasimha and
Ulgalanda Peruamal are at the hill temple.
Though Lord Narasimha is known for his furious appearance, He is smiling and
cool here. After killing Hiranya to save his devout son Prahlada from his
tortures, He was still furious. Boy Prahlada was very much afraid of Lord’s
fury. To make His devotee happy, Lord Narasimha shed His fury and appeared
before Prahlada as a smiling boy Himself. He thus became Bala Narasimha. There
is a shrine for him in the hill temple. Behind Bala Narasimha is Ugra (furious)
Narasimha with two hands. We can worship Narasimha in two forms Bala and Ugra.
Raja
Gopuram, Bali peeta and Kodimaram the flag post are generally in a row in
temples. Here, the Bali peeta and flag post are slightly away from the
Rajagopuram. As Perumal granted darshan to Sage Valmiki as Neer Vanna Perumal
and Sri Rama, they are considered prominent in the temple. Therefore, to
emphasize their importance, Rajagopuram is before Sri Rama shrine and the flag
post before Neervanna Perumal.
Sage
Tirumangai Azhwar had praised Mother in his Mangala Sasanam hymn as Anima Malar
Mangai. The procession deity in Vishnu temples are generally placed before the
presiding deity. Presiding deity is at the hill temple and the procession deity
Azhagia Manavalar is at the temple in foot hills. Azhagia Manavalar shall be
coming to the hill temple on the flag hoisting and lowering days during the
Chithirai (April-May) Brahmmotsavam and the Panguni Uthiram (March-April)
wedding festival day, three days in total when devotees will have the joint
darshan of the presiding and procession deities together.
Brahmmotsavam
is celebrated to Lord Ranganatha in the hill temple in Chithirai (April-May)
and in Panguni (March-April) to Lord Neer Vanna Perumal at the foot hills. On
the Vaikunda Ekadasi day in December-January, Azhagia Manavala Perumal passes
through the Sorga Vasal. He also grants the Garuda Seva darshan on Masi Magam
day in February-March. A one day festival is celebrated for Narasimmha in Aani
(June-July) and for Ulagalanda Perumal in Aadi (July-August). Wedding festival
for Neervanna Perumal and Anima Malar Mangai is celebrated on the Uthiram star
day in Chithirai-April-May.
We have seen Gods coming in procession on one vahan only during festival days.
But Ranganatha comes in seven vahans in procession in a single day on the
Rathasapthami day in Thai month (January-February). During the sunrise, Lord
Ranganatha comes in Surya Prabha vahan when Arti is shown from foot to face as
if Sun God himself performs this puja. Then He comes in procession on
Hanumantha, Garuda, Sesha, Horse, Lion and Surya Prabha vahans.
The
holy tank is one in form but comprises of four theerthams. In Kumbakonam, the
Mahamaga tank is believed to be a confluence of 19 theerthams. Similarly, four
theerthams Siddha, Swarna, Karunya and Ksheera theertham confluence in this
holy tank.
Eight
Vishnu temples in India are considered very important praised as Swayam Vyaktha
Kshetras of which this Tiruneermalai temple is one. Others are Srirangam in
Tiruchi district, Srimushnam in Cuddalore district, Tirupathi in south and
Salagramam, Naimisaranyam, Pushkaram and Naraanapuram in north. As this is a
hill temple, Giri Valam is observed on Poornima-new moon days.
The
hill is also known as Thoyatri Malai. Thoya means milk. Lord is under the
Thoyatri Vimana. Special pujas are dedicated to Lord Ranganatha on Saturday
with Pushpangi Alankar with flowers.
After
the darshan of Lord in Srirangam in reclining posture, sages Markandeya and
Brugu were returning to their places. The darsahn at Srirangam was afresh in
their minds. They prayed to Lord to grant them darshan again at this place.
Lord granted the darshan as Boga Ranganatha in reclining posture in this place
and continues to bless from the hill top His devotees. Abishek is not offered
to Him except a Thaila Kappu – applying cosmetic oil on the idol- once in a
year in Karthikai month-November-December.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Neervannan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Animamalarmangai |
|
Theertham |
Manikarniga Thadagam Theertham |
BELIEF:
Devotees
bathe in the tank for health and cure from illness and for a clear mind and
worship Perumal. Devotees also seek child boon by placing cradles in a tree and
for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts. This is a prarthana sthalam and
the Lord is said to answer prayers relating to different issues, especially
marriage.
Bramhotsatavams:
Panguni and Chittirai Uttiram Masi (Animamalar mangai Thayar) and Panguni
(Ranganayaki Thayar) Rathasapthami Thirunakstrams of Azhwars and Acharyans Pavitrotsavam.
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruneermalai
is 5 kms from Chennai Pallavaram. Buses are available from Tambaram bus stand.
Also one can reach Thiruneermalai by electric train from Egmore to Pallavaram
and continue by bus. Nearest Railway station is Pallavaram and airport Chennai
Meenambakkam.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Neervanna Perumal
Thirukkoil,
Thiruneermalai,
Chennai,
Tamil Nadu - 600044.
LOCATION:
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