Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nanmadiya Perumal Temple
Thalachanga Nanmathiyam (8).jpg
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictMayiladuthurai
DeityNaanmadiya Perumal(Vishnu) Talaichanga Nachiar(Lakshmi)
Features
  • Temple tank: Chandra
Location
LocationThalachangadu
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam is located in Tamil Nadu
Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates11°7′47″N 79°47′7″E / 11.12972°N 79.78528°E / 11.12972; 79.78528Coordinates: 11°7′47″N 79°47′7″E / 11.12972°N 79.78528°E / 11.12972; 79.78528
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

Naanmadiya Perumal Temple (also called Thalachanga Nanmathiyam) is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Nanmathiya Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Thalachanga Thayar.

The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Vaikanda Ekadasi during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December - January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend[]

Chandra Pushkarani, the temple tank

It is believed that Vishnu appeared for Chandra, the moon god, who worshiped Vishnu at this place.[1] As per Hindu legend, Chandra, the moon god is treated second after Sun god among Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities. He is also considered the brother of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu as he emerged during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Chandra once conducted a sacrifice called Rajasuyagna, which was attended by all the celestial deities. Dhara, the wife of Guru (Jupiter) was attracted by Chandra. Guru appealed to Vishnu on the event and cursed Chandra to have leprosy. Dhara bore Bhudha (Mercury) for Chandra and since he came out of illicit relation, Bhudha hated his father. To propitiate himself of the curse, Chandra started worshipping Vishnu in this place.[2] Since the presiding deity holds the famous conch, this place came to be known as Talaichankam, with Cankam meaning conch.[3]

Architecture and history[]

Nanmathiya Perumal temple is situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture. It has a single tiered gopuram and a temple tank in front of it and is called Chandra Pushkarani. The temple has one precinct and two shrines. The temple has a shrine for Naanmadiya Perumal facing east. It has a conch that is considered one of its kind. It is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The place was very famous during the Chola regime for conch as it was closer to their port town Poompuhar. The place finds mention in the Sangam literature Silappatikaram. The temple and the place has been patronized by the Chola kings. The temple was in a dilapidated condition and it was renovated by Suntara Ramanuja. Like shiva, the presiding deity sports a crescent in his head.[3]

Festival, religious practices and religious significance[]

The gateway

The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharathra aagama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed three times a day: Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 3:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Vaithamanidhi and Kolurvalli. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[4]

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.[3][5]

References[]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ https://srimannarayana108.blogspot.com/2015/06/thiru-thalaichanga-naanmadhiyam-dd025.html"/[dead link]
  3. ^ a b c [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ Bansal, Sunita Kumar (2012). Hindu Pilgrimage. V&S publishers. p. 94. ISBN 9789350572511.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""