Divya Desam 14 Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple Natchiyar Kovil,Thirunaraiyur(a)Nachiyarkovil — Attraction in Nachiyarkoil

Once upon a time there lived a saint named Medhavi here in Naachiyar Koil. He wanted Mahalakshmi to be his daughter so he pleaded Mahavishnu and on an auspicious day under the tree called "Vanjula Maram", he found a very beautiful girl child. He named her "Vanjulavalli" after the tree from where he found her.

He led a peaceful life then by teaching Gyana to his students. Gradually Vanjulavalli grew up and reached the marriage stage.

One day Lord Narayanan split him into five of his forms: Shankarshanan, Prathyumnan, Anirudhan, Purushothaman and vasudevan and visited saint Medhavi's Ashram as a Guests.

His students bore the guests a warm welcome and Vagulavalli prepared a delicious meal for them. AFter finishing their meal, all the five went to wash their hands. When Vagulavalli helped them by pouring water, suddenly Vasudevan caught her by hand and immedietely she shouted for help.

Hearing her cries, her father came running for rescue. But before he could catch and curse Vasudevan, all the five guests disappeared to bring forth the original one (ie) Mahavishnu saint Medhavi was spellbound, when Mahavishnu asked his daughters hand for marriage.

Happily, saint Medhavi accepted for marriage. But before that he asked 3 Boons from Mahavishnu He should attain life beyond birth and death (ie) he should attain eternity. All the living beings in Narayur which gave the Lord food and wife, should also attain salvation and His daughter should be given the first place in all the aspects.

Hence from that day, this place is called as Naachiyar kovil, (ie) temple of Mahavishnu's wife.

As Madurai stands in the name of lordess Meenakshi, the wife of Lord Shiva, Naachiyar Kovil stands in the name of Lord Vishnu's wife.

Here Lord Vishnu stands in a begging posture seeking Varulambika's hand from saint Medhavi in the Moolavar Sannadhi. In accordance to the saint's wish, Thaayar stands a step ahead to perumal.

Shankarshnan, Prathyumnan, Anirudhan and purushothaman too bless us in the Moolavar sannathi by standing a step back to the Narayur Nambi.

Here Stone idol of the bird Garuda, Stands as the Vahanam or Vehicle to Narayur Nambi whereas Annam or the Swan is the Vahanam of the Godess Vagulambika.

Garuda has a seperate sannathi in this temple extending about 10 1/2 sq.ft's. He has beautiful big wings, broad chest and long hair. In tamil month Margazhi and Panguni the festival "Kal Garuda Sevai" (ie) the festival where the idol of Narayur Nambi placed on the stone idol of Garuda and taken out into vibrant procession is taken place every year.

There is a unique speciality regarding the stone idol of Garuda. when taken out for a procession, until a step out fo his sannathi he can be easily carried by 4 persons. Then inside the temple his weight would increase as to be carried by 8 persons, then further outside the praharam he would weigh heavy so that 16 persons are required to carry him. Totally outside the temple not even 32 persons are enough to carry him, he would get heavier and heavier ahead. He would sweat a lot too so that his cloths get drenched in the sweat.

But after the procession is over, while returning to his sannadhi he would start losing his weight (step by step) or (stage by stage). This is a remorkable wounder that takes place only at this place.

This Garuda is treated in equivalence to Lord Vinayaka and so a dish Mothakam named as "Amudha Kalasam" is offered to him.

Also, the slow progress of Lord Narayur Nambi with Garuda reveals his commitments with saint Medhavi indirectly.

As all know, the swan or Anna Patchi is a delicate bird which moves in a slow and delicate manner. But, Garuda is a huge bird which can fly swiftly.

But when both the god and godess are taken out in a procession, the lord god should lead the procession as he is carried by the bird. But his promise that his wife would have the first place in every thing...

Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple (Srinivasa Perumal temple), Nachiyar koil is located at 9 kms from Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu. is one of the 108 Divya Desams (wherin 12 Vaishnavaite Alwars have sung songs in praise of Lord Vishnu). Thirumangai Alwar has sung 110 Paasurams here.

Moolavar: Thirunarayur Nambi / Srinivasan / Vasudevan. giving his seva in standing posture being ready to marry the Thaayar, facing east (Kalyana thirukkolam). Prathyaksham for Medavi Munivar and Brahma devan.Thayaar: Vanjulavalli Naachiyar. She is found next to the Moolavar in Garbhagriham .Mangalasasanam: Thirumangai Azhwar Pushkarani: Mani mukthi Nadhi Theertham.Aniruddha Theertham. Pradhyumna Theertham.Samba Theertham.Sankarshana Theertham. Vimanam :Srinivasa Vimaanam.

As per Legend, Saint Medhavi lived in Nachiyar Kovil, wanted Mahalakshmi to be his daughter so he did severe penance to Mahavishnu and on an auspicious day under the tree called "Vanjula Maram", he found a very beautiful girl child. He named her "Vanjulavalli" after the tree from where he found her. When she came to marriageable age, Mahavishnu asked his daughter's hand for marriage.Maharishi sought 3 Boons from Mahavishnu : 1) He should attain eternity. 2) All the living beings in Narayur which gave the Lord food and wife, should also attain salvation and 3). His daughter should be given the first place in all the aspects. Hence from that day, this place is called as Naachiyar kovil, (ie) temple of Mahavishnu's consort.

Here Lord Vishnu stands seeking Varulambika's hand from saint Medhavi in the Moolavar Sannadhi. In accordance to the saint's wish, Thaayar stands a step ahead to perumal. Shankarshnan, Prathyumnan, Anirudhan and purushothaman (Other forms of Lord Vishnu)too bless us in the Moolavar sannathi by standing a step back to the Narayur Nambi.

Here Stone idol of the bird Garuda, Stands as the Vahanam or Vehicle to Narayur Nambi whereas Annam or the Swan is the Vahanam of the Godess Vagulambika. Garuda has a seperate sannathi in this temple He has beautiful big wings, broad chest and long hair. In tamil month Margazhi and Panguni the festival "Kal Garuda Sevai" (ie) the festival where the idol of Narayur Nambi placed on the stone idol of Garuda and taken out into vibrant procession is taken place every year..

Idol of Garuda. when taken out for a procession, until a step out fo his sannathi he can be easily carried by 4 persons. Then inside the temple his weight would increase as to be carried by 8 persons, then further outside the praharam he would weigh heavy so that 16 persons are required to carry him. Totally outside the temple not even 32 persons are enough to carry him, he would get heavier and heavier ahead.But after the procession is over, while returning to his sannadhi he would start losing his weight (step by step) or (stage by stage). This is a remorkable wonder that takes place only at this place.

When both the god and godess are taken out in a procession, the lord god should lead the procession as he is carried by the bird. But his promise that his wife would have the first place in every thing would be broken. Hence, Garuda becomes heavier and it becomes tough for the devotees to carry him faster than the light weight Annapatchi. So, in this way perumal fulfilles his word. There is a big water tank in front of the temple called "Mani Muthaaru". Temple Specialties: Kal Garuda service is world famous The weight of the Garuda increases and decreases during Kal Garuda Seva Place where mother comes first Temple timings : 7 am to 12.30 pm and...

Among the 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desam Temples, Thirunarayur Nambi Temple aka Nachiar Kovil is situated in Thirunarayur, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam has a special place. It’s near to Oppiiappan Temple, say 15 mins by Car. Unlike other Vishnu temples where Vishnu is given importance, in this temple Nachiyar (Thayar) is prominent. Also because of the famous Kal Garudan Sannadhi. Lord Vishnu appeared to the sage Medhavi and married his daughter Vanjulavalli at this temple, witnessed by Brahma and other gods. The temple was built by Kochengat Cholan of the late 3rd century AD. Vijayanagara and other Cholas maintained it later. kingsThe Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar. Incidentally Vishnu himself is believed to have initiated Pancha Samskara to the Azhwar. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram and A granite wall surroundings the temple and Sannadhis. The entry is through a passage with huge pillars. See the pictures. The temple has an elevated structure approached through a flight of 21 steps. The presiding deity of the temple is Vishnu in the form of Narayur Nambi and his consort Lakshmi as Vanjulavalli Thayaar in the main sanctum sanctorium. Also present are Brahma, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Sankarshana and Purushothaman attending the celestial wedding. The Goratha Mandapam situated centrally has sannadhis of Ramanuja, Koorathazhwar and eleven azhwars. There is a separate Sannadhi for Rama, Lakshmana and Sita and another one in the south for Hanuman. There is a Chakrathazhwar and Yoga Narasimha Sannadhi installed and worshipped by Sage Medhavi. Nachiyar Koil has different customs as Vanjulavalli Thayar, leads the procession before the Lord. The Kal Garuda made out of Salagramam is used as vahanam during the festive occasions. It increases in weight as it is carried down and decreases when carried up. 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 people carry as it goes down sanctum and the reverse when the idol is brought back from main entrance back to sanctum Not just this. You can see the profuse sweating of Garudan as he carries Lord Vishnu. There were two Garuda Pakshis which used to partake the temple prasadam daily. On the Thirunakshatiram (birth star) of Garuda, a few years back, they attained moksham under the temple's Sthalavriksham, a Magizha tree. Tamil Month of Margazhi (December–January) for Bhahmotsavam and Panguni (March - April) for Garuda Seva festivals which are held...