Divya Desam series: - TIRUKKURUNGUDI

February 21, 2008

TIRUKKURUNGUDI This Divya shetram is located 10 Kms near Nanguneri in Tirunelveli District. The moolavar is Azhagiya Nambi also called Sundara Paripurnam, in a standing posture. The Thayar is Kurungudi Nachiyar. The Theertham is Tiruparkadal and the Vimanam Panjakhedaka Vimanam.

There are shrines for Kidantha Nambi, Erunda Nambi and for Malai Nambi on the top of an adjoining hill.The majestic moola vigrahas are carved of stone with application of natural colours and decorated with gold leaves as per agama sastras. There is a shrine for Shiva inside the temple. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu in the guise of a disciple obtained Srivaishnava initiation from Ramanuja and hence He is called Vaishnava Nambi. Vishnu is said to have taught Sudarsana Mantram to Shiva at this shrine. It is also believed that Vishnu in His Varaha Avatara shrunk His form and took abode in this shetram, and hence this place is called Kurunkudi. The majestic moola vigrahas are carved of stone with application of natural colours and decorated with gold leaves as per agama sastras. There is a shrine for Shiva inside the temple. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu in the guise of a disciple obtained Srivaishnava

initiation from Ramanuja and hence He is called Vaishnava Nambi. Vishnu is said to have taught Sudarsana Mantram to Shiva at this shrine. It is also believed that Vishnu in His Varaha Avatara shrunk His form and took abode in this shetram, and hence this place is called Kurunkudi. Azhwar

Mangalaasaasanam:Periyaazhwar – 71Tirumaisaiazhwar – 813Tirumangai Azhwar – 1005, 1399, 1470, 1788-1807, 2769Nammaazhwar – 2898, 3102, 3277-3287 (pasuram number as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam) Nammazhwar the foremost amongst the Vaishnavite saints is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Nambi. After worshipping Badri Narayana and Lord Ranganatha, Tirumangai azhwar attained salvation at the feet of Lord Nambi. At one time 18 families of Arayars were performing the traditional art of chanting the name of the Lord in 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 and in recognition of their services a bell is installed inside the sanctum. The annual festival is celebrated during the Tamil month Panguni. The temple has intricate carvings rich in different styles of the Pandyan and Nayak dynasties. Superb woodcarvings are also found in the tiers of the temple tower. Om Namo narayanayaPadmashri Sampathkumar

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