Dec 19, 2022
On Dec 19th, we had to meet with Krishna Veni a community scholar at her place Malli, a village near Srivilliputhur. We decided to visit the Nindra Narayana Perumal Kovil at Thiruthangal, as suggested by Sri which is about 5 kms before Sivakasi. The cab picked us up at 8.45 am from JC residency, Madurai and we reached Thiruthangal by 10.45 am – the roads are truly fantastic.
Got darshan of Thiru Nindra Narayana Perumal and Sengamala Thayar.
Sthala Puranam
Thiruthangal has been visited by some of the Saptarishis like Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Atri, Marichi and Bhrigu. The “Vana Swaroopi” Sriman Narayana’s Vigraham is “Swayambhu” and was found by Sreedevi when she did her penance here. The temple has been built by the Pandyas. Inscriptions dating back to 1023 CE mention about this temple and the grants made by different Pandya Kings.
As in most Vishnu temples, you first get the darshan of his consort (Thayar) before getting his darshan.
At Thiruthangal, you first get the darshan of Sengamala Thayar. Only in this temple Thayar adorns a new sari everyday and there is daily Thirumanjanam (the ritual of bathing the Goddess/God). It’s a practise to donate a new sari to Thayar here. The reason you visit the Goddess first is because she will intervene for you and ensure that your wishes are fulfilled by Mahavishnu.
You need to climb up to the next level to get the darshan of Perumal. The legend is that the demon Banasuran was wreaking havoc on the rishis living here. When Sreedevi (Thayar) does her penance at this place, she insists on Perumal saving the people from Banasuran. Interestingly Banasuran’s daughter falls in love with Aniruddha, Bhagwan Krishna’s grandson.
Banasuran is very angry with his daughter but Krishna intervenes, kills Banasuran and gets his daughter married to Aniruddha. The marriage took place at Thiruthangal and all the people around requested grandfather Krishna to stay there and he agreed.
Inside the Garba Griha (sanctum Sanctorum) Narayana is along with Sreedevi, Bhudevi, Niladevi and Jambavan’s daughter as his consort. Note : In Treta Yuga when several devotees and rishis requested Rama to marry them but since he had taken the “eka patni Vrata” in Dwapara Yuga, Krishna fulfils their wishes and marries 16000+ women. He gives the form of a woman to Jambavan’s daughter (Jambavan is a bear in Ramayana and the one who reminds Hanuman of his potential – do read Hanuman, Jambavan and Lessons for life.
Very interestingly at Thiruthangal, we also see Surya Bhagwan’s charioteer Aruna being made whole by Mahavishnu. Since Aruna was born premature, he was formed only till his waist, but here he was made whole. So many devotees with diseases or illnesses donate jaggery and husk to Narayana and he relieves them of their illnesses. You also get metal body parts like in Tirupati that can be donated for relief from illnesses.
Only in this temple, Narayanan’s vaahanam (vehicle) Garuda, is four armed. In one of his arms, he holds the Amrita Kalasa with the nectar that was found during Samudra manthan. In one of his back arms, he also holds his arch enemy Vasuki. On the left hand side, Anjaneyar Swami’s Sannathi is also there.
Nindra Narayana Perumal is covered in herbs so there is no Thirumanjanam.
At the Nindra Narayana Perumal Kovil, they don’t accept cards or GPay for donation. You can pay cash for Annadaanam. There is a book store across the road to buy Sthala Puranam etc.
#KrishnansTempleTrails #Hinduism
Do read – 108 Divya Desams
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