"Uttama Kshetram" refers to a place or location of excellence, often associated with temples or sacred sites. The term "Uttama" signifies "best" or "excellent," and "Kshetram" means a field, place, or sacred ground. Therefore, "Uttama Kshetram" can be interpreted as a place of exceptional sanctity or spiritual significance.
Uttama: This Sanskrit word, meaning "best," "excellent," or "superior," is used to describe something of the highest quality or degree. Kshetram: This term, also Sanskrit, refers to a field, a place, or a sacred ground, often associated with temples or pilgrimage sites. Uttama Kshetram: Combining the two, "Uttama Kshetram" signifies a place that is considered the best or most excellent, often in a spiritual or religious context. Temple architecture: Inscriptions sometimes refer to temples as "Uttama-uttama," indicating their high architectural or religious significance. Place of worship: “Uttama Kshetram" can denote a temple or a specific location within a temple complex that is considered especially sacred. Spiritual significance: The term can also be used in a more abstract sense to describe a place that embodies the highest spiritual ideals or is conducive to spiritual practices. Vaishnava divya desams are significant as Uttama shetra, where pasurams classify certain shetrams as NINDRA AMMARNDA, kidantha PERUMAL. Thirukurungudi divyadesam is a combination of five nambis- three of them Nindra nambi, Kidantha nambi and Amarnda nambi in the main temple, one each at Parkadal nambi temple and Malaimel nambi temple. Divya desam Temples are the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). ”Divya” means “premium” and “Desam” indicates “place” (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and last two are beyond the realm of Earth. The last two are Thiruparkaddal and Paramapadam. Tiruparkaddal is the ocean of milk and Paramapadam is the Srivaikuntam where lord Narayana resides. The idols of Lord Vishnu in these Divyadesams can be found in 3 postures: Kidantha Thirukkolam ( Sleeping Position ) – 27 Divya desams Veetrirundha Thirukkolam ( Sitting Position ) – 21 Divya desams Nindra Thirukkolam ( Standing Position ) – 60 Divya desams In these 108 Divyadesams, the Lord Vishnu can be seen facing one of the four directions: east, north, south and west. On this basis, the Divyadesams can be classified as: Towards East direction – 79 Divya desams Towards West direction – 19 Divya desams Towards North direction – 3 Divya desams Towards South direction – 7 Divya desams K RAJARAM IRS 9825 On Sat, 9 Aug 2025 at 18:47, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > NINDRA NARAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE, THIRUTHANGAL, NEAR SIVAKASI VIRUDUNAGAR > DISTRICT-TAMIL NADU -COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Nindra Narayana Perumal temple in Thiruthangal, a town in the outskirts > of Sivakasi in the Virudhunagar District in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to > the God Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the > temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon > of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. > > *It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped > as Nindra Narayana and his consort Lakshmi as Arunakamala Mahadevi.* > > The temple in its present form was believed to have been built by Devendra > Vallabha, a Pandya king. The temple has three inscriptions in its two > rock-cut caves, two dating from the period of 8th century. > > *The temple is built on a granite hill* 100 ft (30 m) 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 Raja gopuram, the > temple's gateway tower. The later Pandya kings, Vijayanagar and Nayak kings > in the region made significant additions to the temple. The temple is > located on the other side of Karunellinathar temple, a famous Shiva temple > and can be reached from that temple on the hillock. > > Nindra Narayana is believed to have appeared to Sridevi and Bhoomadevi. > > Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of > which the Vaikasi Vasanthothsavam, Pillai Lokacharyar festival and > Kurathalvar festival, each celebrated for ten days, being the most > prominent. > > The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and > Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. > > Today is Yajurvedi upakarma day and most appropriate to post about Lord > Vishnu. > > Kayena Vacha, manasendriya,….Karomayenjethu,sakalam samarpi, Sriman > Narayenathu samarpayami. > > Gopalakrishnan 9-8-2025 > > > > Legends > > According to the temple's Sthala Purana, there was a competition among > the consorts of Vishnu, Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Niladevi, on the degree of > their devotion to Vishnu. > > Sridevi descended down to earth and repaired a sequestrated spot > surrounded by paddy fields. She sat in devotion and influenced by her power > of worship, all sages started worshipping her at the place. Realising that > living alone would be improper, she engendered a tirtha (water body) and > propitiated Vishnu. Pleased by her devotion, Vishnu appeared at the spot. > *Bhudevi > and Niladevi 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, Aniruddha, got married at this > place. > > *As per another legend, Ranganatha from Srirangan Ranganatha Swamy 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 Thala Giri. > > The temple finds mention in the eighth chapter of Brahmanda Purana that > deals with the story of king Puroora Chakravarthy. Puroora was a > righteous king of Bharathavarsha and when he became old, he gave his > kingdom to his sons. *He approached to sages to direct him to the right > place to do penance, who directed him to Thiruthangal. *After performing > austere penance, 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 Adishesha as to who > would be closer to Vishnu. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation was asked to > mediate and he judged in favour of Adishesha, 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. > > > > History > > Nindra Narayana Perumal temple is believed to have been built by Pandyas. > There are a host of inscriptions in the temple indicating information > related to the gifts offered to the temple. One of the inscriptions from > 1032 CE indicates the temples as Paramaswamy who willingly chose the > hillock as his abode. A lake by name of Vallabha Pereri existed by the side > of the temple. During the reign of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I (1308 - > 23 CE), a shrine was erected for the image of Singha Perumal (Narasimha). > The two sons of Tiruvenkatanatha, an official in the Pandyan Empire > constructed the western precinct. During 1220 CE, they constructed a mutt > and endowed for the recitation of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the > Puranas. During the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan (1216–1238 CE), > special poojas were instituted. *In 1227, Gurukulatharaiyan, the minister > of Sundara Pandy an arranged for the construction of the sanctum, > Mahamandapam and Ardhamandapam*. In later periods, a lady named > Tirumangai Andal installed the metal images of Karmachanai Emperuman and > the Devis. The festival idols were taken out in procession during new moon > day. The inscription about these inscription was recopied as the rock > contained the original epigraph was shattered. > > In modern times, two philanthropist, named Ramanujadasa and Narayanadasa > arranged for the construction of Kalyana Mantapa, Garuda Mandapa and other > Mandapas (halls). > > *During 1979, the northern compound wall, 120 ft by 30 ft tall collapsed > due to torrential rains, which was repaired with the help of local support.* > > In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu > Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. > > My note- From 1972 to 1974 I was in charge of Sivakasi Telecom, as SG > Junior engineer. Tiruthangal was under Sivakasi Telecom. > > > > Architecture > > Nindra Narayana Perumal temple is located in Thiruthangal, a town 2 km > (1.2 mi) from Sivakasi, on the Madurai Road. The temple is built on a > granite hill 100 ft (30 m) tall and a granite wall surrounds the temple, > enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. *There is no Raja > gopuram, the main gateway tower, but is a flat structure, compared to > other South Indian temples that have a steep structure.* > > *My note- In Chennai East Tambaram, Dhenupureeswara temple at Madampakkam > also has no Rajagopuram, but a structure. This temple is under > Archeological Survey of India.* > > Deities > > An image of the presiding deity, Nindra Narayana, is seen in a standing > posture facing east on the third tier of the temple and sporting Abaya > Mudra (right feet gesturing to devotees to surrender to his feet). He is > believed to have appeared to Bhudevi and Sridevi, all of whose images are > housed inside the sanctum. The tier also houses the Maha mandapam and the > shrine of Garuda, the eagle mount of Vishnu. Garuda is seen in a unique > posture with a pot of Amrita on his right hand and a serpent in his left > hand. His other two hands are seen with supplicating pose. The sanctum is > guarded by imposing images of Dvarapalakas, which are believed to be > constructed during the rule of Sattur Kolarapatti. Bhudevi, Sridevi on the > right and Niladevi, Usha, Aniruddha and Bhrigu to the left of Perumal. The > images of the deities are made of stucco and hence ablution is not > performed as in other temples > > Sub deities > > The sanctum houses as sub deities like Markendeya, Garuda, Aruna, > Viswakarma. The images of Narthanakrishan, Andal, Durga, and Vinayaka are > seen on the precinct around the sanctum, while the image of Alvars are > housed in the hall leading to the sanctum. > > The festival metal image of Thiruthangal Appan is placed in front of the > images. The vimana, the roof over the sanctum is called Soma Chandra > Vimana, is similar to the ones in Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy temple and > Alagarkovil. > > The consort of Ninra Narayana, Aruna Mahadevi (also called > "Shenbagavalli") has a separate shrine in the second tier. The Utsavar > (festival image) of Arunakamala Mahadevi is called Shenbagavalli and is > housed inside the same shrine. Unlike other temples, the image of Thayar > is seen in standing posture. > > Poojas > > All poojas are first performed to Thayar before being done for the > presiding deity. The second tier houses the four-pillared hall, vehicle > hall and mirror room. A cave temple on the lower tier, bearing the traces > of Pandyan art, is located to the West of Kalyana Mandapa. *The image of > Pallikonda Perumal is housed in the cave, with Sridevi and Bhudevi serving > his feet* and sages Markandeya and Bhrigu occupying prominent places on > either side. The rectangular walls around the temple enclose all the > shrines and water bodies associated with the temple. > > Religious significance > > The temple is revered in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th > century Vaishnava canon, by Bhoothath Alvar in one hymns and Thirumangai > Alvar in four hymns. The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the > 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Some of the ancient > Sanskrit books consider the temple as a uthamakshetram, meaning the place > that gives the best to its devotees. Divyakavi Pillai Perumal Iyengar has > also eulogized the presiding deity in one of his verses. > > The temple finds mention in the eighth chapter of Brahmanda Purana that > deals with the story of king Puroora Chakravarthy. > > > > Festivals and religious practices > > The temple follows vaikhānasāgama. The temple priests perform the puja > (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples > of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, belonging > to the Brahmin community. The temple rituals are performed four times a > day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 > p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram > (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of > lamps) for both Ninra Narayana Perumal, Ranganathar and Arunakamala > Mahadevi. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in > the temple. > > The Vaikasi Vasanthothsavam, Pillai Lokacharyar festival and Kurathalvar > festival, each celebrated for ten days are the most prominent festivals of > the temple, and for the surrounding villages. Vaikasi Vasanthothsavam is > celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June) when devotees pull > the chariot round the streets of Thiruthangal. Verses from Nalayira Divya > Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests amidst music with > nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument). > > *The other major festivals celebrated are Srijayanthi Uriyadi, > Pavitrostavam, Garudotsavam, Navarathri, Karthigai, Thirumangai Alvar day, > Vaikunta Ekadasi and Kalyana Utsavam.* > > During Chitra Pournami, the festival image has a holy dip in Arujan River, > decorated and mounted on a horse mount and taken around ten villages around > Thiruthangal. On the fifth day of Adi Pooram, the festival image of the > image is brought in Garuda mount and taken to Srivilliputhur Divya Desam > along with four other temples. > > Steps to reach the temple > > The Presiding Deity is an incarnation of Maha Vishnu. The Temple is > situated in a slightly elevated place and *Devotees may have to climb > around 15 steps to reach there*. It is one among the 108 Dhivya Desam > and was highly praised and sung by the Alwars in Naalayira Divya > Prabhandham. > > Specialty > > *There is a Shrine for Lord Ranganathar who is seen in a reclined > posture. Thereby the Temple becomes very unique since Perumal can be seen > in all the three Kolam here viz. Nindra Kolam, Sayana Kolam and > Veetrirundha Kolam*. > > Another speciality of this Temple is that Lord Garuda is found with four > arms. He is found holding a Snake in one arm and his other arm is found > holding a Nectar Pot or Amirtha Kalasam. His other two arms are found folded. > > > Many Devotees who are found to have Brahmahathi Dosham come here to get > rid of it since it is a Brahmmahathi Dosha Parihaara Sthalam. > > 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. > > Mangalasasanam: > > Bhoodathalwar - 1 Paasuram Thirumangai Alwar - 4 Paasurams > > Total - 5 Paasurams. Pushkarani: > > Vimanam: > > Devachandra Vimaanam. > > Theerthams > > Bhaskara Theertham, Papanasa Theertham and Arjuna Nadi are the Three > Theerthams here. It is said that people who take bath in Papa Vinasa > theertham > can attain moksha after their death. > > Address of temple > > 114, Melamada veethi, Thiruthangal, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu 626130.Phone: > 097896 04628 > > Contact Details: 04652 232801 and Dr.Vasudeva Bhattachariar 99422 > 02668.G.Radhakrishna Iyengar 94864 61906 and 63748 13215 > > Temple Timings > > From 6 AM to 12 Noon and from 4 PM to 8 PM > > Temple Location : > > Distance from Virudhunagar to Thiruthangal is 24 Kms. Sivakasi to > Tiruthangal 3 KMs. > > > > > > -- > 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/1759128540.929088.1754745294413%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1759128540.929088.1754745294413%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAL5XZor1dts0F8qYMOA4VhxYi%2B_yM%3DEHLTizqzbZG8XzLg5Jig%40mail.gmail.com.
