SRINIVASAPERUMAL TEMPLE, NACHIAR KOVIL, THANJAVUR DISTRICT- TAMILNADU-Compiled
Dear friends, Nachiar Kovil is located in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu,India. The Srinivasa Perumal temple issituated in the town of Nachiar Kovil, which is near Kumbakonam. In this temple Goddess Lakshmi hasmore prominence than God Vishnu. This temple is very famous for the Garuda in hard granite which gains gradually more weightwhen taken out for circumambulation and reduces weight to the orginal whentaken back to mandapam after circumambulation. Hope a divine reading Gopalakrishnan 19-6-2025 Introduction Srinivas Perumal is also called Thirunarayur Nambi. Temple isin Thirunarayur, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam, close to Nachiyar kovil. The temple is dedicated to the God Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi. Nachiyar Koil is one of 2 Divya desamswhere Lakshmi is pradahana (main deity) over Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, thetemple is glorified in the Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon ofthe Alvar saints from the 6th to 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu,who is worshipped as Srinivasa Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nachiyar. The temple is the place where God Vishnu is believed to haveinitiated Pancha Samskara (religious initiation) to Thiru Mangai Alvar. The temple follows the Tenkalai mode of worship, and the priests followthe Tenkalai tradition. The recitation of Divyaprabandam and Vedas is done by the Vadakalai tradition. The temple although under HR and CE Government of Tamilnadu,is heavily influenced by Ahobila mutt. The temple is one of the Pancha Kshethram where Maha Lakshmi was found as girl childVanjulavalli - the daughter of Maharishi Medhavi. The other fourtemples of the Pancha Kshethram are Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam, Oppiliappantemple, Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem and Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Thetemple is revered as the 14th Divya Desam. Legends Vishnu is believed to have appeared to the sage Medhaviand married his daughter at this temple, witnessed by Brahma and other gods. As per Hindu legend, the sage Medhavi was doing penance atthis place. While taking a bath in the river, he found an image of Chakratalvarentwined with Yoga Narasimha. A divine voice asked him to install the image inhis hermitage and worship it. The goddess Niladevi, the aspect of Lakshmi, and a consort ofVishnu chose to grow in the hermitage and appeared to the sage in the form of asmall girl under a tree (Vanjula Tree) and hence Madhavi Maharishi named her"VANJULAVALLI". Vishnu travelled in search of Niladevi (Vanjulavalli) on hisvehicle Garuda, the demigod-eagle. Garuda found the presence of Niladevi in thehermitage. Vishnu appeared to Medhavi, pleased by the latter's devotion andasked his daughter to be married to him. The sage happily married Vanjulavallito Vishnu and requested him to stay in his place, which Vishnu accepted. According to local lore, Vishnu was of the view that duringKali Yuga, men would have to listen to women. Hence, he decided that he wouldfirst set an example and listen to the goddess here. During all festiveoccasions, the first rights are reserved for Nachiyar, who moves ahead, whileSrinivasa follows her. Even the food is first served to Nachiyar and then to Srinivasa.Being a temple where goddess has prominence, Vishnu is located slightly by theside and goddess has the prominent position inside the sanctum. There is another locallegend that king Kochengat Cholan was once defeated and he was advocated toseek the blessings of Vishnu, which he obliged. History The temple is believed to have been built by Kochengat Cholanof the late 3rd century CE, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagarkings. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines, while ithas a five-tiered Raja gopuram, the temple's gateway tower. The temple ismaintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu. Architecture The temple is believed to have been built by King KochengatCholan. He is believed to have built 70 temples dedicated toShiva and Thirunaraiyur is the only Vishnu temple constructed by him. Templeis constructed on 5 acres of land The temple has an elevated structure approached through a flight of 21 steps. The temple has a 5-tiered Raja gopuram on the eastern side,raising up to a height of 75 ft (23 m). The entrance through the easterngateway leads to a hall of 16 pillars, called Neenila Mutram. The centre of thehall is occupied by Dwajasthamba (the flag pole) and Balipeeda (the place ofsacrifice), one behind the other. The front portion of theflag pole has a small shrine for Garuda. The flag pole, place of sacrifice and Garuda's shrine arein axial position from the entrance to the main sanctum. Deities The presiding deity of the temple is Vishnu in the formof Narayur Nambi and his consort Niladevi as Vanchulavalli Thaayaar (alsocalled Neela Devi Nachiyar), both of whom are housed in the main sanctum. Unlike other Vishnu temples where Vishnu is given importance,in this temple Nachiyar(Thayar) is prominent. The Nachiar isstanding slightly in front of the Lord. The mother holds a parrot in her handand a bunch of keys on her waist, indicating that she is the one who manageseverything. Thirumangaiyazhwar has made this temple auspicious. The sanctum also houses the images of Brahma, Pradyumna,Aniruddha, Sankarshana and Purushothaman (Vishnu) and a set of gods, who aredepicted attending the wedding. The festive idols of Srinivasa (Vishnu), Sridevi (Lakshmi),Vanjulavalli (Niladevi) and Bhudevi are housed in the same shrine. Sub deities- There is a separate shrinein the north that houses images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita and another shrinein the south that houses the image of Hanuman. There is a shrine for Chakrathazhwar and Yoga Narasimha,believed to have been installed and worshipped by Sage Medhavi. Other idols The first precinct has separate shrines for ManavalaMamunigal and Vedanta Desika and idols of the utsava deities (festive images)of the 108 Divya Desams. The shrine of Thiru Mangai Alvar is located on the northernside. The central hall of the temple, the Goratha Mandapam, houses the imagesof Ramanuja, Koorathalvar and idols of eleven Alvars, leaving that of Andal. Poojas Six daily rituals are conducted in this temple. As at otherVishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community,a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day:Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m.,Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00p.m. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performedin the temple. Festivals Four yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which theBrahmotsavam, celebrated during the Tamil month of Margali (December–January),is the most prominent. The prime festival orBrahmmotsavam is a 10-dayfestival celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January).Garuda Sevai is celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April).During both these festivals, the festive images of Kal Garuda are taken outaround the streets of the temple. Vasanthothsavam or spring festival iscelebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June). The ThirukalyanaUtsavam or the wedding festival is celebrated in the 100-pillared hall during the Tamil monthof Aavani (September–October).[3][4] As per hagiographical records, it isbelieved that Vaikhasana form of worship was originally practiced and thetemple started following Panchrartra form of worship after the advent of saintRamanuja. Special Thirumanjanamsare held on the Thiruvonam star of every month. Margazhi and Panguni Brahmotsavams are celebratedin this temple. Since Kal Garuda Seva is the main function, a large number ofdevotees come to have darshan of the Lord. The Kal Garuda image inthe temple used during the festive occasions is believed to increase in weightseeking 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 people in succession when the procession comesout of various gates from the sanctum to the main entrance of the temple. The southern side of the temple has a garden where the Magilatree, the Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is present. The Vasantha Mandapa or thespring hall is located next to it, which hosts the Vasanthothsavam or springfestival during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June). The temple also has a 100-pillared hall where the weddingfestival is held during the Tamil month of Aavani (September–October). Kal Garuda (Half humanand half eagle) Kal Garuda, an image of Vishnu's mount - Garuda, is the mostprominent feature of the temple. As per local legend, the sculptor who sculpted the idolof Garuda got frustrated as the bird flew away each time, a new image wasprepared. In frustration, he threw a stone at Garuda, who got injuredand decided to stay at the temple as Kal Garuda. The image of Kal Garuda is housedin the shrine outside the main sanctum. During festive procession during theTamil months of Margazhi (December–January) and Panguni (March - April), thefestive images are carried out in procession in Kal Garudar. While only four people are needed to carry the idol of Garuda out ofthe shrine, it multiples to 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 people when the image istaken outside the temple. The weight of the idol remains the same when carried by 4people and stays the same when carried outside by 128. Only supernatural forceis acting on that idol when 4 people carry, if we replicate the same idolsomewhere else, 128 people are required to lift. On the way back only 4 peopleare required to carry the float in the decreasing order 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4. The aspect is treated magical as drops of sweat are also observed on theimage of Kal Garuda during the six-hour-long procession. During the festive occasion, Garuda receives honours fromSrinivasa Perumal (presiding deity) in the form of dress and ornaments. Jewelsand dress are also presented to Garuda by Ranganatha, the presiding Vishnu formof Srirangam Ranganthaswamy Temple. Special Parihara(remedy) Only at this temple Garuda is having dedicated Sannidhi and his body is covered with ninesnakes. If devotees worship on seven continues Thursdays then theirmarriage obstacles will get resolved. Performing archana to KalGarudar every Thursday for 7 consecutive weeks is believed to bestow thedevotees with marriage boon, gives relief from Navasarpa dosha and Navagrahadosha. Devotees willing to do so, may pay a sum of Rs.360 directlyin person at the temple office. For those unable to visit the temple, a sum ofRs.360 can be sent through money order to the below mentioned address. Devoteeswill receive the prasadam from the temple by post once the archana iscompleted. Holy Waters Manimuktha Pushkarani,Shankarshna Theertham, Prithyumana Theertham, Anirudha Theertham, SambaTheertham Temple Tree : Vilva Tree, VagulaTree Nachiyarkovil Nachiyarkovil is famous for Nachiyarkovil brass lamps. Thelamps are made by resident artisans called Pathers (Kammalar) who are living inlarge numbers at Kammalar street, Natchiyarkovil. Also for molded bronze itemsnow. Temple opening hours Temple Timings : 6.00 am to 12.30 noon - 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm Temple address Executive officer, The Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Nachiyar Kovil - 612602, Thanjavur District Telephone - 91 435 - 246 7017, 94435 97388 Email ID: [email protected] Administration The temple is maintained and administered by the HinduReligious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Location Srinivasa Perumal Temple is located in the village ofNachiyar Koil, about tenkilometres south east of Kumbakonam onthe way to Kudavasal on the Kumbakonam –Thiruvarur Road south side. Busesto Thiruvarur can also be boarded. How to reach: By Air: The nearest airport to this temple town is that of Trichy ata distance of 105 km. By Rail: The nearest railway station to the temple is Kumbakonamrailway station at a distance of 9 km. By Road: Adequate buses are available from Kumbakonam to Nachiyar Kovilwhich is at a distance of 10 km on the Thiruvarur road. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1539504111.136285.1750316194617%40mail.yahoo.com.
