Nachiyar Koil (Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple) – Temple
Speciality
This temple extends its border for about 690x288 feet.
As Narayur Nambi is also known as Srinivasan, the Vimaanam of this temple is
known as "Srinivasa Vimaanam". This place is also called as "Suguntha
Giri".
Prominence
to Nachiyar at the Thiru Naraiyur Temple:
Lord was of the view that in Kali Yugam men would have
to listen to women (husband to listen to wife’s words). Hence, much before
that, he decided that he would first serve as an example and listen to the
Goddess here. On all occasions, the first rights are reserved for the Nachiyar.
Even the food is first served to the Nachiyar and only then to the Naraiyur
Nambi.
Being a temple where Goddess has prominence, one can see
the Lord slightly by the side and the Goddess is the one who has the prominent
position inside the sanctum. Even from the entrance of the temple, one gets a
glimpse of Vanjulavalli Nachiyar.
Naachiyaar Koil in Thiru Naraiyur is one of the few
Divya Desams where Goddess has prominence over the Lord. Some of the other
Divya Desams where Goddess is dominant are Srivilliputhur, Uraiyur and
Tiruvellarai. While Srivilliputhur is called Nachiyar Thiru Maligai, Thiru
Naraiyur is called Nachiyar Koil. There is no separate Sannidhi for Goddess and
she is always seen together with the Lord. This is the only Divya Desam where
Lord is seen with a conch and charka in front of his face.
Thiru
Naraiyur Nambi initiates Pancha Samaskaaram to Thiru Mangai Azhvaar:
Thiru Mangai Mannan (Neelan) who was the army chief of a
Chozha king fell in love with Kumudhavalli. She was to accept him only if he
came to her with a true Vaishnavite identity. Thiru Mangai Mannan looked to
Thiru Naraiyur Lord to give him the Vaishnava identity and help him secure the
hand of Kumudhavalli.
Thiru Naraiyur Nambi is said to have initiated Thiru Mangai
Mannan with the Pancha Samaskaaram, which is the true identity for a
Vaishnavite. Thus, Thiru Mangai Mannan became Thiru Mangai Azhvaar.
Pancha
Samaskaaram – The identity of a real Vaishnavite:
1. 12 Thiru Namam on the body (fore head, arms, chest, on
the back)
2. To include the name of an Acharya in one’s name
3. To have the ‘chakra’ seal inscribed on the left hand
4. To first serve the Lord with food every day and
5. To understand and utter the Thiru Mandhiram
Thiru Naraiyur Nambi is the only Divya Desam Lord to
have offered the Pancha Samaskaaram initiation to anyone. As a mark of
initiating the Pancha Samaskaaram on the Azhvaar, Lord Srinivasa is seen
leaning forward slightly, quite a unique sight at this temple.
Thiru
Naraiyur Lord praised as Nambi:
Lords of few Divya Desams have been praised as Nambi.
The most prominent among them is Thiru Kurungkudi, the other one being the Lord
here who is referred to as Thiru Naraiyur Nambi. An Acharya is referred to as
Nambi and since Thiru Naraiyur Lord initiated the Pancha Samaskaaram to
Thirumangai Mannan, he became the Acharya of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and hence the
Azhvaar referred to him as ‘Thiru Naraiyur Nambi’.
Thiru Naraiyur Nambi is also credited with the bringing
together of Thirumangai Azhvaar and Kumudhavalli, as he was the one who
initiated the Pancha Samaskaaram to the Azhvaar, making him a true Vaishnavite.
Thiru
Mangai Azhvaar’s 110 Paasurams on the Thiru Naraiyur Nambi:
Recognizing this special initiation of Pancha
Samaskaaram, Thirumangai Azhvaar praised the Lord with over 100 Paasurams, the
highest for any temple. The only other Lord that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar has
praised with a 100 Paasurams was Thiru Kannapuram Sowri Rajan Perumal, where
the Lord explained the Thiru Mandhiram to Thirumangai Azhvaar.
‘Mathil Inghe,
Madal Anghe’ says Thiru Mangai to Srirangam Lord Ranganatha:
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar had built the wall at Srirangam
Ranganatha temple. So pleased with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, Lord Ranganatha wanted
him to praise him with Madal - Love Letters to the Lord.
However, Thiru Mangai Azhvaar told Ranganatha that the
Madal was dedicated solely to the Naraiyur Lord: “Mathil Inghe, Madal Anghe”
meaning ‘Wall in Srirangam” and “Letters in Thiru Naraiyur”. He composed two
Madals - Periya Thiru Madal and Siriya Thiru Madal.
Kal
Garuda (Garuda made in stone):
Garuda, the vehicle of the lord, is of special
significance at this temple. The story goes that a sculptor who was creating an
image of Garuda suddenly found the idol flying after he had made its wings.
Shocked at this sudden action, the sculptor threw a stone at Garuda and struck
him on the nose. Garuda came falling down and decided to settle here at this
place and bless the devotees.
A huge and well built Lord Garuda is seen just next to
Lord Srinivasa Sannidhi. In the Tamil month of Aadi, Thiru Naraiyur Nambi makes
a visit to Garuda’s Sannidhi.
A
magical Event - Garuda increases in weight manifold:
During street procession (Margazhi and Panguni), an
unbelievable event takes place at the Nachiyar Koil. While only 4 people carry
Lord Garuda out of his Sannidhi, as the Lord goes out of each Layer and
prakaram, he is said to increase in weight, that 8 people, 16 and then 32
people are required to carry Lord Garuda out of the temple. Finally, when the
Lord is taken outside the temple, Garuda increases in weight so much that 128
people are required to carry the Lord. On his way back, it is said that Garuda
mount decreases in weight and finally when he is back in the Sannidhi, only 4
people are required to carry him.
Kal Garuda is said to answer the prayers of devotees
immediately and remove all Doshams. Childless couples, unmarried women, people
with Naaga Dosham will also be relieved if they pray to the Kal Garuda at Thiru
Naraiyur temple.
Idols of
all 108 Divya Desams at Nachiyar Koil:
An old Brahmin wanted to see all the Divya Desams.
However, he could not visit because of his old age. The old Brahmin prayed
before Thiru Naraiyur Nambi, who is said to have given the idols of all the 108
Divya Desam Lords to the Brahmin. This is the only Divya Desam where the idols
of all the 108 Divya Desams can be seen.
In his Periya Tirumozhi praise on Thiru Naraiyur, Thiru
Mangai Azhvaar refers to Naraiyur Nambi as the Lord whom he saw in different
postures in several other Divya Desam Lords.
Another unique feature at this Divya Desam is that the
Vimaanam above the Sanctum Sanctorum is like a tower. This is the only Divya
Desam where one finds 10 feet Brahmma in a standing posture within the sanctum.
In other Divya Desams one finds the image of Brahmma on the wall.
Krishnaranya
Kshetram:
Nachiyar Koil is the beginning of the Krishnaranya
Kshetram. This continues at Thiru Cherai, Thiru Kannamangai and finally ends at
Thiru Kannangudi, near Nagapattinam.
The temple has been built in such a way that one can see
the sanctum even from outside the temple premises. With several layers, each
comprising of several steps, leading to the Sannidhi, the sanctum looks like
being atop a hill, on first looks from the temple entrance.
Being one among the celebrated 108 Divyadesas of
Perumal, Mother Vanjulavalli graces the devotees in her standing posture.
Procession deity Mother appears with a parrot and a key bunch on her hip
showing that she is the Head of the Universe overseeing all administration.