article on Tirukkrungudi

[Guest guest]

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Rich in tradition and architecture

 

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31-12-1995 :: Pg: 38 :: Col: e

 

Cl: Religion

 

AT the foot of the Mahendragiri hills on the western

ghats and on the banks of the river Nambiyaru lies the sleepy

village of Tirukkrungudi, the abode of Narayana. In the ``Varaha

Purana'' the Lord speaks of His sojourn in this holy village.

Thus this place derives its name ``Kurungudi'' the smaller abode

of Narayana. This centre is also called ``Dakshina Badri.'' While

at Badri in the north, Narayana preached the ``Tirumantram''

through ``Uttara'' a human being for the salvation of the

entire commnity, it was at Tirukkurungudi that Saint Sri Ramanuja

gave his sermon on ``Tirumantram'' to the Lord Himself.

 

Temple worship is a way of life in the south and

tradition has an important place in the life of its people.

Historical evidence shows that the close links between Hindu

temples and Tamil literature dated back to several centuries.

Tamil life cannot be visualised without the temples. The fanes of

Tamil Nadu are unique for their close association with many

saints and their hymns. The tradition of singing hymns in temples

has been an established practice. Sri Ramanuja, the Vaishnavite

acharya, who propagated the ``Visistadvaita'' philosophy codified

certain rituals in temple worship and made it obligatory to

recite the great hymns of Alwars Divya Prabhandam in temples

along with Sanskrit scriptures.

 

The temple at Tirukkurungudi is dedicated to Lord Nambi,

called Sundara Paripurnam in Sanskrit and Nambi Narayan in Hindi.

As the name signifies there is no equal to the beauty and

fascination of the deity and He is beauty personified. The

majestic mools vigrahas are in different postures of standing,

sitting and lying. These huge idols are carved of stone with

application of natural colours and decorated with gold leaves as

per our agama rituals. Nammazhwar the foremost amongst the

Vaishnavite saints, is considered to be the incarnation of Lord

Nambi. Nammazhwar, Periazhwar, Tirumazhisai Azhwar and Tirumangai

Azhwar have chanted hymns in praise of Lord Nambi in the ``Divya

Prabhandam.''

 

A shrine for Lord Siva is installed inside the temple

besides the main shrine of Lord Nambi, and the deity is called

``Pakkam Nindrar'' and this has been immortalised in his hymns by

Tirumangai azwar. After worshipping Badri Narayana and Lord

Ranganatha, Tirumangai azwar attained salvation at the feet of

Lord Nambi. For upholding and preaching Vaishnavism Saint

Ramanuja founded at Tirukkurungudi ``Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer

Swami Mutt'' which governs the temple. Kaisika Ekadasi falling

during the Tamil month of Karthigai is of importance in this

temple as also Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam, and attracts

thousands of pilgrims. The presiding deity is taken round on

different vahanams during the annual brahmotsavam. p73

 

At one time 18 families of Arayars were performing the

traditional art of chanting the name of the Lord gestures, and on

one occasion Lord Nambi himself witnessed the scene appearing as

a Srivaishnavite. Pleased by the devotion the Lord gave salvation

to all the members of the Arayar families. In recognition of

their services a bell is installed inside the sanctum. A huge

carvedbell presented by the Kerala king Aditya Verma in 1468 AD

is also found in the temple. On the hills close by stands a small

temple dedicated to Lord Nambi called ``Malai Nambi,'' with a

panoramic view of the village below.

 

An interesting stone inscription is found on both ends of

the south mada street, of an agraharam having been built by a

British officer, Mr. Livings who was the Collector of Tirunelveli

during 1849 A.D. The early temples were built in the form of

mandapam for the sanctum. Later the arthamandapam, mukhamandapam

and mahamandapam were added to meet the growing need for rituals

and festivals. The temple at Tirukkurungudi has a collection,

intricate carvings with exuberant details rich in different

styles of the Pandyan and Nayak dynasties. Superb wood carvings

are found in the tiers of the temple tower. Large stone carvings

at the Rati mandapam and Veerappa Nayak mandapam exhibit

intricate details. The masterpiece is the carved Narasimha

performing the ``Hiranya Vadham.'' The mastery of the artisan is

visible on the walls of the main tower and special mention is of

a piece depicting the trading between India and the Persian gulf.

 

TT])

TAMARAPU SAMPATH KUMARAN

 

 

 

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