Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 20th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Thirunagai
Sri Soundararaja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
located in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples
built by the Naga Kings; there were abundance of contributions made by the
Kings of Maratha and Nayaks too.
The
fame of this temple is distinct and dates back across each of the 4 Yugams. In
Kretha Yuga the Serpent Lord underwent severe penance praying to Lord Vishnu.
Lord was pleased at the devotion of Serpent Lord Adishesha and accepted him as
his celestial vehicle. Ever since Lord Adisesha began his self-less service to
Lord at all times. Hence, this place has got its name Nagai or ‘Naaga’
Pattinam.
It
was here that Bhooma Devi, in Tretha Yugam, and ‘Markandeya’ Rishi, in Dwapara
Yugam, undertook penance.
Another
story goes that Druva, a young kid (son of King Uthana patha) undertook deep
penance wanting to rule the entire world. So pleased was the Lord that he came
on the Garuda Vaahanam to grant Druva’s wish. However, on seeing the beautiful
Lord, Druva’s mind changed, and dramatically so. Instead of wanting to reign
the world, Druva requested the Lord to grant him Moksham and of seeing his
beauty all the time at this temple.
It
is believed that Naga Raja performed Kanniga Dhanam at this kshetram
Three
Postures of the Lord can be seen in all 3 kolams here - standing, sleeping and
sitting posture and is said to have given Darshan in each of these 3 postures
to Naga Raja. Here Neelamega perumal lies in standing posture whereas
Govindaraja perumal is in sitting posture and Ranganatha perumal in Sleeping
posture.
Thiru
Mangai Azhvaar, in his Paasurams, compares Lord Soundara Rajan to Sarangapani
of Kumbakonam, Sathya Moorthy of Thiru Maiyam, Kallarpiran of Sri Vaikuntam and
KalAzhagar of Thiru Maliruncholai.
A
Unique Narasimha statue - Ashta Bhuja. There is a bronze statue of Narasimha
where he is seen blessing Prahalad with one hand and destroying Hiranyakashipu
with his other hands. In Lord Ranganathar sannadhi there is an wounderful
Bronze idol of Lord Narashima with eight hands. One hand of Narashima safely
secures prahalatha, one hand blesses him by touching his head and the other
hand's are killing Hiranya.
Temple
Tower as a Light House. In days gone by, the 7 tiered Gopuram of this Divya
Desam had a light atop the tower that served as a ‘light house’ for ships
coming into and crossing Nagapattinam.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Neelamegaperumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Soundharyavalli |
|
Theertham |
Sara Pushkarani Theertham |
BELIEF:
Lord grants all wishes
of devotees.
During
the Tamil month of Chittirai, the Hindu calendar is
read in the temple premises and the festival deity is taken in procession
around the Mada street of the temple. Similar processions are followed during
the Maga star of Chittirai and Magam; the five-day
festival of Nammazhwar during the Tamil month of Aani. The
ten day yearly festival of Soundaravalli Thayar is celebrated during the same
month, when a flag is hoisted and the festive image of Thayar is taken in
different chariots around the streets of the temple. During the star of
Uthiram, Perumal arrives at the shrine of Thayar and the celestial wedding is
celebrated. During the Tamil month of Aadi, to commemorate the summer
soltice, a ten-day festival is celebrated in the temple, when the festival
image of Perumal is taken around the streets of the temple. The other festivals
associated with Vishnu temples like Krishna Jayanthi, Saturdays of Tamil month
Puratassi, Navratri, Vaikunta
Ekadasi and Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective
days. A ten-day festival is celebrated, during the Tamil month
of Purattasi, commemorating Manavala Maamunigal. Uthirayanapunyakalam
during the Tamil month of Thai followed by Mattaiadi, Masi Kadalauttu
during Maasi, Panguni Peruvizha during Panguni and Thiruvasagai
Vizha are other prominent festivals in the temple. Music instruments like
Suthamathalam, Ekkalam, Thiruchinnam and Thalam are used during such festivals.
During Thiruvasi festival, the temple chariot is drawn around the streets of
the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
Direct
night train from Madras to Nagai
Bus:
This is about 3kms South of New Bus Stand and opposite the Nagapattinam Railway
Station.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri
Soundararaja Perumal Thirukkoil,
Nagapattnam,
Tamil Nadu – 611001.
LOCATION:
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