Arulmigu Nindra Narayana Perumal Koyil — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Sri Thiruthangalappan Perumal Kovil also called as Ninra Narayana Perumal Temple located in Thiruthangal, on the outskirts of Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu at a distance of 100 Kms from Tirunelveli, is one of the 108 Divya Desams (wherin 12 Vaishnavaite Alwars have sung songs in praise of Lord Vishnu).

Moolavar : Sri Nindra Narayanan , Thiruthangal Appan ;Thayar : Annanayagi Thayar ; Theertham : Papavinasa Pushkarini ; Karunelli Nathar Shri Sivan Temple is adjoing the Perumal temple.The temple in its present form was believed to have been built by Devendra Vallabha, a Pandya king. The temple is built on a granite hill 100 ft tall and a granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. Unlike other temples, this temple does not have a rajagopuram.

As per the legend, there was a competition among the consorts of Vishnu namely Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi on the degree of their devotion to Vishnu. Sridevi descended down to earth and she entered a theertha (water body) and propitiated Vishnu. Pleased by her devotion, Vishnu appeared at the spot. Bhudevi and Neeladevi followed her footsteps and acceded that Sridevi was the most devoted among them. Vishnu desired and stayed (thangal in Tamil) along with his consorts in the place.

As per another legend, Krishna's grandson Anirudhha, got married at this place. As per another legend, Ranganatha from Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple was enamoured by the devotion of Andal. He started a journey to Srivilliputhur Divya Desam to seek her hand for marriage. While reaching the place, it became dark and he decided to spend the night in the place. Since he stayed at this place, it came to be known as Thiruthangal and the hillock came to be known as Thalagiri.

The temple finds mention in the eighth chapter of Brahmanda Purana that deals with the story of king Puroora Chakravarthy did penance at, Thiruthangal and Mahavishnu appeared to him.Devendra Vallabha, a scion of Pandya dynasty was once hunting a tiger and reached Thiruthangal. While firing an arrow at the tiger, a divine voice explained the history of the tiger. In its previous birth, the tiger was a ruler by name Chandraketu, who did not adhere to the principles of doing penance. He was hence made to be reborn as a tiger. Mahavishnu appeared to both Devendra and the tiger. In commemoration of the event, the rock near the temple is named Puliparai (puli means tiger and parai indicates hill).

There was once an argument between banyan tree and Adisesha as to who would be closer to Vishnu. Brahma, was asked to mediate and he judged in favour of Adisesha, who went on to become the serpent bed of Vishnu. Banyan tree was highly dissatisfied and he started doing intense penance praying to Vishnu at Thiruthangal. Vishnu appeared to the banyan tree and gave him a boon that he would sit over him at Thiruthangal. The rock is thus believed to be the banyan tree and thus came to be known as Thangalgiri. Based on the legend, there is a common belief that the temple provides relief to devotees suffering from mental weariness and physical fatigue.

Another uniqueness in this Divyadesam is that Periya Thiruvadi Garudalwar is blessing along with his enemy, ‘The Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan’ and seen adorned with jewellery. Krishna’s grandson Anirudhan got married at this place to Baanaasuran’s daughter Ushai. It is believed that Deiveega Vasudevan came down to attend...

Here, Moolavar, Nindra Narayanan is found in Nindra Kolam and towards his right side, separate sannadhis for periya pirattiyaar who is called as "Anna Nayaki".

Neela devi also named as "Aanandha Nayaki" and towards the Moolavar's left side is Bhoomi Pirattiyaar, also named as "Amirutha Nayaki" and Jambhavathi are found and giving their dharshan to the bhaktas.

All the statues (Moolavar and Thaayar, except Sengamala thaayar) are painted and because of this, they are not done the thirumanjanam. Only, Sengamala thaayar is done with the Thirumanjanam only with the oil.

Manmadhan, who is the son of Thirumaal, Sri Vishnu, was made into ash by Lord Shiva and in Krishna Avathaar, he was born in the name of Prathyumnan, as the son of Sri Krishnar. His son is Anirudhan.

Ushai, who was the daughter of Baanasuran, loved the grandson of Sri Krishnar, Anirudhan. But, he has seen him only in her dream. So she ask her friend how to get him. Her friend, Chitralekha got some photos pained and one of the photos, Anirudhan was found and identified by Ushai. Chitralekha, who knows magic, took away Anirudhan, when he was sleeping in his cot. On knowing this, Anirudhan was jailed by Baanasuran. After hearing his Grandson was jailed, Sri Krishnar fought along with Baanasuran and made Anirudhan out of prison and was married to Ushai. This is one of the oldest story told about this sthalam.

Another story about this sthalam is also said and it is related to Lakshmanan, brother of Sri Ramar.

Chandrakethu, who was the son of Lakshmanan had the fasting on Ekadesi and he took his oil bath before the Dhuvadesi came. As a result of this, he became a puli (tiger) and when he came to this Lakshmanan worshipped this sthala perumal and finally got his mukthi.

Periya Pirattiyaar did a strong tapas against Sriman Narayanan. On becoming happy and fully satisfied on her tapas, Sriman Narayanan gave him the Varam that she will become the hamsam of Annapoorani by offering food and shelter to the people of this entire world and said she is the combined and total structure of all the other naayakis - Aanandha Nayaki, Sridevi, Neeladevi and Amirutha Nayaki. And as further to this, the sthalam will be named as "Sripuram" and these are the Varam (Which is given as the prize who satisfies the perumal) given for Sengamala Thaayar. Since, Thirumagal stayed in this sthalam and did the tapas, this sthalam is named as "Thiru thangal". (Thangal means the place of stay).

This sthala thaayar is also named as Jaambhavathi. She was the daughter of the Great Vishnu bhaktas, Jaambhavan who had a great love and bhakti towards Sriman Narayanan. Once in Ramayana time, he wanted to hug SriRamar but Sri Ramar didnt allow him to do so. But, he gave him a promise that in the Krishna Avathar, he can catch hold of him and will be given in Ramavathar, Jaambhavan in Krishnavathar, came towards Krishna to steal the Siyamanthaka mani, for which they bought for s8 days. In Vaamanavathar, he asked Sri Vishnu that he should be killed only by his weapon, Chakkaram. As a result of this, he was killed on the 28th day and at that time, Sri Krishnar made him to remember his past. Jaambhavan was so happy that he was killed by a great person, who takes care of the entire world and asked for a final help to Sri Emperumaan that he should marry her only daughter, Jaambhavathi. As his final wish, the perumal married,...

Sri Nindra Narayana Perumal Temple, Thiruthangal The Moolavar, Nindra Narayanan is found in Nindra Kolam and towards his right side, separate sannadhis for periya pirattiyaar who is called as "Anna Nayaki".

Neela devi also named as "Aanandha Nayaki" and towards the Moolavar's left side is Bhoomi Pirattiyaar, also named as "Amirutha Nayaki" and Jambhavathi are found and giving their dharshan to the bhaktas. The one more feature of this sthalam is the Garudan. Garudalwar is found along with the snake in his left hand and Amudha Kalasam in his hand and giving his seva and other two hands are folded and he found along with 4 hands.

Another speciality is the Thaayar is found in standing posture facing her thirumugam along East direction. In all the sthalams, the thaayar is found only in sitting position, but only in this sthalam, she is found in standing position, which is said to be one of the speicality of this temple.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolvar of this temple is Sri Nindra Narayanan. Also called as "Thiruthankaal appan". Moolavar in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumagan along the East direction. Prathyaksham for Salliya pandiyan, Puli, Sri Vallavan and Sridevi pirattiyaar.

Thaayar: The thaayar of this temple is Sri Sengamala thaayar. She has her own separate sannadhi. Also named as Annanayaki, Amiruthanayaki, Aanandhanayaki and Jambhavathi.

Utsavar: The Utsavar of this Divyadesam is Thiruthan Kaalappan is found in Nindra thirukkolam.

Mangalasasanam:

Bhoodathalwar - 1 Paasuram Thirumangai Alwar - 4 Paasurams Total -...