THE HINDU article on Thiruneermalai temple

[Guest guest]

----------

 

Samprokshanam of Thiruneermalai temple

 

[Photo]

----------

12-01-1996 :: Pg: 31 :: Col: a

 

Cl: Religion

 

In Thiruneermalai, a village 5 km west of Pallavaram, is

located one of Tamil Nadu's ancient temples. It is among the 108

places considered sacred by the Vaishnavites and has been sung in

praise by saint-poets Thirumangaialwar and Boodhathalwar.

 

History has it that once sage Valmiki reached

Thiruneermalai (then going by the name Gandavanam) and atop the

Thoyadri hill worshipped Lord Narayana in three forms Ranganatha

in the reclining posture, Narasimha in sitting position and

Thiruvikrama in walking style; but he still felt that he was

missing something. Back at the foothill he realised what he was

looking for. His earnest prayers were answered by the Lord. And,

there was his favourite ``Kalyana Raman'' giving him darshan as

``Neervannan'' with Sita, Lakshmana, Sathrugna, Bharatha, Hanuman

and others.

 

Later, when Thirumangaialwar wanted to worship the Lord

at the temple, the place was surrounded by a large sheet of water

and he waited for months at Kaliyanchavadi (now known as

Karayanchavadi) to have the access and the darshan. Since then

the place came to be mentioned in religious literature as

`Thiruneermalai'.

 

It is believed that a devotee worshipping at

Thiruneermalai will be endowed with the blessings which one would

receive by visiting the four sacred places of Thirunarayur

(Natchiyarkoil), Thiruvali, Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam) and

Thirukovilur.

 

This ancient temple complex, comprising shrines at the

foothill and on top of the 300 ft hillock, is frequented by

devotees not only from the nearby villages and towns but also

from Madras. Now under the HR & CE administration, the temple is

undergoing renovation at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakhs, to be

met mostly through contributions from devotees, according to Mr.

T. Mohanasundaram, Executive Officer. The `samprokshanam' of the

Neervannan temple at the foothills is slated for February 2. A

few weeks thereafter the consecration of the hill top temple will

be performed.

 

 

 

----------

 

Go to : |Weekly edition |THE HINDU Main Menu|

 

----------

Copyright ) 1995 THE HINDU & PARALOGIC CORPORATION.