Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Naranammalpuram, Thirunelveli

Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Naranammalpuram, Thirunelveli
Srinivasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Naranammalpuram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Though small temple, it hosts beautiful idols of Sridevi-Bhudevi samedha Srinivasa Perumal. Puratasi (Sept-Oct) Garuda Sevai is famous. The village is named after a queen of the same name of the Nayak dynasty, who gifted it to Vedic Brahmins over 400 years ago. Originally known as Dhoorva Thadagam (Arugankulam in Tamil), it was inhabited by exponents of the four Vedas and Upanishads, and their contribution to the village society ensured prosperity and cultural harmony.
As the river changed its course frequently destroying their homes the villagers moved to a place of higher altitude. They, however, named it also Arugankulam. The holy water source in the village is known as Jatayu Theertham as Lord Rama was believed to have performed the last rites here for the slain bird, Jatayu, a close friend of his father, Dasaratha. There is also a separate Rama temple near the place. In course of time the villagers moved to greener pastures leaving the village and its temple impoverished. Four centuries have passed since the village was set up and the temple, though small in size and overlooking two rows of hundreds of houses, is considered a sacred place. Those who have chosen to live there vouchsafe for the blessings they have received in answer to their prayers for hundreds of years.

But on December 11, 2001, looters broke into the temple and walked away with the Utsavar idols. Though the police recovered the idols later they were not fit to be worshipped having been broken and mutilated. The thieves had checked whether the images contained any precious metal. The devotees, however, got new idols and decided to perform the Maha samprokshanam. The copious rain the village received last October when the other parts of the State reeled under drought and the bumper harvest are attributed to the consecration move.
Another Temple called Moondru Yugam Konda Amman Temple is located nearby on the 4-way bye-pass road which is giving a rich look to this Village. Naranammalpuram is located at about 11 Kms from Thirunelveli, 55 Kms from Thoothukudi and 156 Kms from Madurai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest Airport is located at Thoothukudi and Madurai.