Divya Desam series: - TIRUNARAIYUR (Naachiyaar Koyil)

March 27, 2008

TIRUNARAIYUR (Naachiyaar Koyil) This Divya Shetram is located in Tirunaraiyur en-route to Tanjavur from Kumbakonam. Since importance is given to Nachiyaar in this temple, it is called Nachiyaar Koyil. The moolavar here is Tirunaraiyur Nambi also known as Vasudevar depicted in the Kalyana kolam with Vanchulavalli Thayar in the sanctum. The Theertham is Manimuktha pushkarini and the Vimanam Srinivasa Hema Vimanam. Legend has it that Lakshmi was born as Vanchulavalli at the foot of a Vanchula tree to Madhava Munivar. Vishnu is believed to have manifested himself in the Pancha Vyuha forms and married Vanchulavalli. In the sanctum one finds the sculptures of the deities – Sankarshana in the east, Pradyumna in the south, Anirudha in the west, Purushottaman in the north and Vasudeva in the center. There is no separate shrine for Thayar. There are

shrines for Yoga Narasimhar, Ramar, Hanuman and Chakrapani. There is a special shrine dedicated to Kal Garudan. The Garuda is seen with nine serpents and is believed to have the powers to remove the Navagraha Dhosham. The speciality of the Kal Garudan is that the mount is said to increase exponentially in size as it is carried out of the sanctum with the Utsava moorthi seated on, and decrease the same way while being brought back inside the temple. It is found only 4 people are needed to carry it initially and as it is carried out of the temple, 64 people are required to carry it thereon. During

the festival Nachiyaar leads the procession on Hamsa Vahanam. Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam: Tirumangai Azhwar –1078,1329, 1470, 1478, 1577, 1611, 1659, 1852, 2067, 2068, 2673, 2748, 2778 (Pasuram numbers as found in the Naalaayiram Divya Prabhandam) The Margazhi brahmhotsavam is of great significance here. Om Namo Narayanaya Padmashri Sampathkumar

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