DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 4thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
While
traditionally temples have only one swayambumurthy, this is one with 11
Swayambumurthis – Lord Thothadri Nathar in the sanctum sanctorum, Mother
Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Sun, Moon, Maharshis Brugu and Markandeya, dancers of the
celestial world Uruvasi and Thilothama. Of the 8 Vishnu Swayambumurthis, the one
in Badrinath in north is covered by fog for six months. Here, the Lord is
available for the devotees throughout the year. Gingelly oil abishek is
performed to Lord Thotadrinathar throughout the year.
The
story relating to Thothadri finds reference in Brahmanda Puranam, Skanda
Puranam and Narasimha Puranam.It is said that Lord Shiva narrated the story and
the significance and greatness of Thothadri and Varamangai to Sage Narada, who
having heard the story is believed to gone to Vaikuntam and heaped praised on
Narayana.
Adisesha
undertook penance here and hence this place came to be called ‘Naaganai’ Cheri.
As the huge lake around the temple was split into 4 canals, this place was
referred to as ‘Nangu’ ‘Eri’.
Goddess
Lakshmi grew up at Thothadri as Varamangai and later met and married the Lord
here. Hence, this place is also referred to as SriVaramangai. In Azhvaar’s
praise of the Lord here, he refers to him as the Lord of Varamangai Nagar.
This is one of the eight sacred Swayam Vyaktha Vishnu Sthalams, the others
being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupathi, Saligramam, Naimi Saranyam, Pushkaram
and Badrinath.
A
Sindhu king on a hunting expedition consumed food from the ashram of Gusasana
Rishi while he was away. An angered rishi cursed him to turn to a dog. A man trained
the dog to provide acrobatic displays to onlookers and thus earned his
livelihood. After going all over the place, the dog was finally relieved from
the curse after a bath at the sacred water (Chethruththamarai Theertham) at
Thothadri. He regained his princely form. Hence, it is believed that a bath at
this Theertham will relieve from all curses.
Kaarya
Maharaja didn’t have a child. He went to Lord Nambi at Thirukurungudi who asked
him to undertake pooja of the Lord who is present beneath the earth at
Nanguneri. The king who dug up the earth here was shocked to find blood oozing
out of the Lord’s head.
The
Lord asked him to perform an Oil Abhishekam and to throw the oil into the open
well found at this place. Having performed this, he is said to have had
children. The temple is believed to have been built by Kaarya Maharaja.
The tradition of Oil Abhishekam has come to stay. Hence, the speciality of this
Divya Desam is the daily oil pooja for the main deity and depositing the oil in
the 25 feet open well inside the temple. The oil has been hailed by Sage
Agastya as ‘Sarva Roha Nivarani’ and is said to have medicinal values helping
cure both internal and external illness including ulcer and skin diseases.
The
oil at this temple is just as special as the ‘laddu’ of Tirupathi temple.
The
story goes that Kasiyap, who had two wives- Kathru and Vinathai, remained
childless. Invoking the blessings of a rishi, the two wives were given the
option of choosing between several children and just the two.
Kathru
had several children including Adisesha, the Serpent King, on whom Lord Vishnu
rests himself. Vinathai had two children- Arunan (Charioteer of Surya) and
Garuda (Charioteer of Vishnu).
With
Lord Vishnu resting himself all the time on Adisesha, an upset Garuda undertook
penance at Thothadri. When the Lord appeared before Garuda, he expressed his
disappointment at not accorded the same status as Adisesha.
It
was then that Lord Narayana asked him to come with him to Vaikuntam and
accorded him the status of standing in front of him (facing him) ready all the
time to take his Lord on a trip. Thus it came to be that when the Lord leaves
Adisesha, he gets on to Garuda.
Goddess
Earth felt impure after blood and bones of asuras Madhu and Kaitapa fell on
Earth after being killed by Lord Vishnu. She undertook penance at Thothadri
near Mahendra Hills. Lord appeared in front of her and relieved her from the
impurities by showering the nectar on her. As per her wishes, he remained
seated under the Vaikunta Vimanam and provided darshan to all devotees.
The
two beautiful damsels Urvasi and Thilothama undertook penance at Thothadri
seeking liberation from re-birth and with the single minded devotion of serving
the Lord.
Narayana,
who appeared before them, expressed surprise at these two beautiful ladies
undertaking severe penance at Thothadri instead of enjoying their lives. The
two replied that they had now realised that serving him was the ultimate
achievement for any one. As desired by them, Lord allowed them a place next to
him. Hence, they are seen here at this temple next to the Lord in a gesture of
fanning him (white Chamaras) and keeping him always cool.
The vimana-tower above the sanctum is of Nandavardana design. Lord Brahmma, Indira, king of Sindhu, Garuda Baghwan, Urvasi, Thilothama were blessed with the darshan of Lord in the temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Kothagirinathan Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Varamangai Nachiyaar |
|
Theertham |
Indira ,Setru Thaamarai Theertham |
BELIEF:
Here
medicinal values helping cure both internal and external illness including
ulcer and skin diseases.
Gingelly
oil abishek is performed to Lord throughout the year. This abishek oil is
stored in a well. Those suffering from skin problems apply this on their body
and consume a few drops for total cure.
Chithirai
Brahmmotsavam in April-May and the second in Panguni (March-April) are the two
festivals of importance in the temples besides festivals related to Lord
Vishnu.
HOW
TO REACH:
Located
about 30kms South of Tirunelveli, off the Nagercoil Highway and about 10kms
from Thiru Kurungudi Divya Desam is Vaanamaalai Thothadri Nathan Divya Desam at
Nanguneri. Buses are available every 10 minutes between Tirunelveli and
Nagercoil (Nanguneri can be reached within 45minutes from Tirunelveli bus
stand).
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thothadrinathar
Temple,
Nanguneri
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu - 627108.
LOCATION:
No comments:
Post a Comment