Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 25th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
The
temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Choza
naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity here is Sri Naanmadhiyaperumal and
thayar is known as Thalaichanga naachiyar. The festival idols are called
Vyomajoyipiraan and Senkamalavalli thayar. The idol of Andal in this temple is
very mesmerising and the shell in the Lord's hand is said to be very precious.
When
Devas and the demons churned the milk ocean for nectar, Chandra appeared before
Sri Mahalakshmi, hence enjoys the status as Her elder brother. He occupies the
second place next to Sun in the planetary line. The other story is that he was
born to Sage Athiri and his wife Anusuya, according to Puranas. Moon is
handsome and is the disciple of Jupiter and well versed in scriptures. He
conducted a yajna called Raja Suya which was attended a huge number of Rishis
and Dhara wife of Jupiter. When they looked at each other in the event, they
began to love each other. Shocked Deva Guru Jupiter reported this to Lord
Vishnu and cursed his disciple with leprosy.
Meantime,
a son was born to Moon and Dhara named Bhudha, also a planet called Mercury. As
advised by Lord Vishnu, Moon returned Dhara to his Guru. Budha hated his father
for his misdeed, performed severe penance and became a planet.
Moon committed the next mistake. He married the 27 daughters of Daksha
promising him that he would treat each one with equal love. But he did not. He
was very fond of Rohini alone and ignored others. The aggrieved daughters
approached their father-Daksha and narrated their condition. Angry Daksha cursed
that his handsome face will depreciate day by day. Full moon began to face the
impact of the curse.
Chandra
had to suffer a double curse. He surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu for
relief. Perumal advised Chandra to visit Srirangam, Tiru Indalur and
Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam, have a dip in the sacred springs there and perform
penance on Him for relief. Chandra meticulously followed Lord’s advice and got
the relief at this place-Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam. Lord granted darshan to
Chandra and also wore him as an ornament on His head.
Several
inscriptions dating back over a 1000years to the rule of Para Kesari Varma,
Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola period are seen on the outer walls of the
Prakara that indicate significant contribution made by these rules to this
temple and the. In ancient times, Thalaichangadu was a commercial hub renowned
for Conches, with the Eastern coast of Kaveripattanam just around 7kms from
here. Thalaichanga Naan Mathiyam Perumal temple’s legend has close connections
with at least two other Divya Desams – Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam and
Parimala Rangan Temple at Thiru Indhalur (Mayiladuthurai).
Three Phased Parikara to cleanse
sins:
To
cleanse himself from his sins, Chandran requested Brihaspati to suggest
parikara and was directed by his Guru to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu
for atonement from his sins.
As
the first step in his three phased parikara, Chandran undertook bath at the
Chandra Pushkarani and performed service at the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam
for 15 years. This helped him liberate himself from his ‘physical disease’.
Subsequently, he moved to Thiru Indhalur (in Mayiladuthurai) and offered
prayers to Lord Parimala Rangan. Answering his prayers, the Lord reduced the
severity of his curse and brought back a few of his handsome features. As per
Chandran’s request, this place in Mayiladuthurai came to be called Indhunna (a
name denoting Chandran) - later Indhalur- and this region was referred to as
Chandran Kshetram.
Finally
as the culmination phase of his parikara process, he came here to
Thalaichangadu Kshetram (Aruna Vana Kshetram) had bath at the Theertham and
undertook severe penance invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu who appeared
here in a Chandra Vimana along with Shengamalavalli Thaayar and liberated him
fully from all his curses. Hence the Lord here is also referred to as Chandra
Saabha Haran.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Naanmadhia Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Thalaichanga Nachiar |
|
Theertham |
Chandra Pushkarini Theertham |
BELIEF:
A
pleased Chandran requested that the Lord fulfil the wishes of devotees who pray
sincerely to him at this temple, just as he did and to relieve them from curses
and doshams.
3day
Pavitrotsavam in Puratasi
Navarathri
Utsavam was started in 2008 after a gap of several decades.
Vensudar
Perumal goes on a procession to the Thiruchangadu Village on the occasion of
Vaikunta Ekadesi (the only outside procession of the year)
HOW
TO REACH:
Thalaichangadu
is 15kms East of Mayiladuthurai (the same distance from Sirkazhi) on the
Karaikal Highway and 2kms from Karuvi/Poompuhar Entrance Arch.
From Mayavaram, buses every hour to Karuvi/Thalaichangadu. From Sirkazhi, one
can board the Karaikal bound bus to reach the temple in 45minutes.
From Mayiladuthurai, auto will cost Rs. 250 to Thalaichangadu.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri
Naanmadhia Perumal Temple,
Thalaichanga
Naanmadhiam,
Thalachangadu,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609107.
LOCATION:
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