Thanjai Maamani Koil, Thanjavur

Thanjai Maamani Koil, Thanjavur

Thanjai Maamani Koil is a set of three Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India and are close to each other. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. 

Unlike other Divyadesams where a single shrine is referred, this set of temples is referred together in all the Paasurams (poems). This temple is in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It’s in the banks of the river Vennaaru and it’s about 2 1/2 miles away from the Tanjore railway station. Bus facilities are provided and staying facilities are furnished.

Lord Vishnu has been worshipped by the devotees in three different temples Neelamegha Perumal Temple, Manikundram Temple and Thanjai Yali Temple. Thanjai Maamani Temple comes under one Divya Desam, with three temples cluster within a reach of few hundred meters to each other temple.

The Lord presented himself in the form of Narasimha to Dhatchagan (Thanjagan – in Tamil) at his request, hence the name Thanjai. The Lord in Thanjai Maamani Kovil faces Thanjavur hence is that Thanjai Kattharulum Deivam (Protector of Thanjavur). Brahmotsavam are celebrated in Tamil months of Panguni, Chithirai and Vaikasi (March to June) for the three temples are celebrated in succession.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/05/thanjai-maamani-koil-thanjavur-legends.html

Temple Speciality

After Perumal came to this place, it is said that Kubera asked Vishwakarma, the architect for devas, to build a city here. Vishwakarma built a city in the form of a garuda that is flying. It is said that in this city, since it is in the shape of a flying garuda, garuda protects everyone.

It is also considered by learned people that the three Perumals, Neelamegha Perumal, Manikundram Perumal and Narasimha Perumal are with Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi in this Divya Desam.

The river here is supposed to be the same as virajaa Nadhi that flows in paramapadham. In Tamizh, that river is called Vennaru - a derivative of vinnaaru.

At one time, the three temples were in different locations around Thanjavur. (Neelamegha Perumal near Manimutharu, Manikundram Perumal in the part known as Kalimedu, Narasimha Perumal near a pond called Singa Perumal Kulam). During the rule of the nayakkars, all the three Perumals were moved to their current location.

Since all the three Perumals are facing Thanjavur, the Perumal is called as Thanjai Maamani - the treasure on Thanjai that is protecting it.

This Divyadesam is a collection of 3 temples each within a distance of about one mile. All the Three Perumals are in sitting posture and all the Three Uthsavars are named as “Sriman Narayanan” only.

The above 3 Temples are

·        Neelamegha Perumal Koil.

·        Thanjai Manikundra Perumal Koil.

·        Thanjai Yazhinagar Koil.

Temples

This is one of the 108 Divya Desas of Perumal. This shrine is in 3rd place. The Lord of the temple is praised by Saints Boothazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar in their Mangalasasanam hymns. The Lord in this temple appears in sitting posture as Veera Singapperumal and Narasimhar.  

Sri Yoga Narasimha is in the front Mandapam. Also Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is in the prakara of Neelamegha Perumal temple, Abhaya Varadha Narasimhar on the Garudazhwar Vimana and Kambathadi Yoga Narasimha on the pillar of Thayar shrine. Thus there are Five Narasimha Lords in the temple.

Lord Mahavishnu himself is in the discus as Chakarathzhwar in Veera Narasimhar temple.  The idol is beautifully sculptured showing Lord placing his hand on an elephant. There is also an idol nearby worshipping Lord.  

The portrayal is described as Thanjakasura (the elephant) and the little idol as the demon figure worshipping the Lord after correcting himself of his bad traits. Thus, it is taught that pardon is available to the wicked correcting themselves. Behind is Lord Yoga Narasimha in sitting posture with Hiranyakasipu and Prahalada.  Darshan of Chakarathzhwar is considered very important.

Mother Mahalakshmi on the left of Lord of Narasimha is on his right in the shrine at Neelamegha Perumal temple prakara in sitting form. This Narasimha is also called Valavandhai (right side) Narasimha. Lord Narasimha was in high fury after killing Hiranya.

As Mahalakshmi would be absent in places dominated by anger, she has chosen the right side, it is said. It is advised that those of short tempered nature should correct themselves by worshipping Mother Mahalakshmi.

Instead of abishekam only Thailakappu is done for the three presiding deities. As procession deity, Neelamegha Perumal is holding the Sengol-the royal stick of authority. Procession Mother is wearing a crown of Fire but in soft and smiling look. Sage Parasara is in the sanctum in worshipping posture. Lord Hayagriva the authority of Wisdom is facing north with Mother Mahalakshmi the Goddess of Wealth.  This temple is one of the 88 temples which come under Thanjavur Palace Management Committee.

Melasinga Perumal, Neelamegha Perumal and Manikundra Perumal were called as Maamani Temples.  This temple is called by many names like Parasara Shetram, Vambulancholai, Azhahapuri, Garudapuri, Sameevanam, and Thanjaiyali Nagar. Devotees worship Lord and Mother offering cardamom garlands, light ghee lamps with sugar candy as naivedhana to gain academic excellence.

Neelamegha Perumal Temple:

The temple has small east facing shrine with the Lord and consort in the same sanctum. All of the Thirumangai Alvar pasurams (poems) of Thanjai refer to this shrine. Neelamegha Perumal is in sitting posture facing east. Sengamalavalli Thayar and Neelamegha Perumal both gave Prathyaksham to Parasaramuni. Inside the main Sannadhi of Thanjai Maamani Koil Moolavar (Garbagraham), we can find dancing idol of Lord Krishna, Venkatesa perumal in his marriage dress along with his two wives and Lord Varadharaja perumal.

Outside the Moolavar Sannathi, we can have Dharsan of Lakshmi Narasimmar containing Godess Lakshmi Devi in his right lap, Andal Naachiyar and Vishwaksenar. Thaayar Sengamalavalli Nachiyar has a separate Sannadhi.

Outside the Thaayar Sannadhi, there is one pillar in which one side Yoga Narasimmar is portrayed whereas on the other side Lord Aancheneyar (Hanuman) is found. It is said that if we come around and pray the Narasima and Aancheneyar continuously for 108 times, all our wishes would be granted immediately.

Towards the right side of the Thaayar Sannadhi there is Vedanta desigan Sannathi which is said to be set up his own son Nayinaaraachariyar.

Perumal (Lord): Neelamegha Perumal – Sitting Posture – Facing East.

Thayar (Lakshmi): Sengamalavalli.

Utsavar: Utsavar Sriman Narayanan.

Pushkarani: Amrutha Theertham, Kannika Pushkarani, Vennaru.

Vimanam: Soundarya Vimanam.

Prathyaksham: Parasara Muni.

Manikundram Perumal Temple:

The temple has small east facing shrine with the Lord and consort in the same sanctum. All of the Nammalvar pasurams (poems) of Thanjai refer to this shrine.

Manikundra Perumal is in sitting posture facing east. Ambujavalli Thayar, Prathyaksham to Markandeyar. Here perumal stands as a hill of with a grace on glare of pearls and stones in Manikundra perumal Koil its Vimaanam has the Manikooda Vimaanam.

·        Perumal (Lord): Manikundra Perumal – Sitting Posture – Facing East

·        Thayar (Lakshmi): Ambujavalli.

·        Pushkarani: Srirama Theertham.

·        Vimanam: Manikkooda Vimanam.

·        Prathyaksham: Markandeya.

Thanjaiyali Nagar:

Lord Narasimha is in sitting posture facing East with Thayar Thanjai Nayagi. Both were Prathyaksham to Markandeyar. The temple has small east facing shrine with the Lord and consort in the same sanctum. All of the Bhoothathalvar pasurams (poems) of Thanjai refer to this shrine.

The temple is facing east with separate Sannadhi for Thanjai Nayagi Thayar, Andal and Thirumangai Alwar. Moolavar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and Garudalwar Sannadhi is in the front mandapam. In the mandapam, Sannadhi for Sri Ranganathar, Varadarajar, Viswaksenar, Periya Nambikal, Alavandar, Ramanujar and Manavala Maamunigal are located.

At the entrance of the temple, Dhwajasthambham and Balipeedam are located. The history of the temple is Sri Veera Narasimhar took the form of Yazhi to kill demon Thanjagan, who took the form of elephant. Hence this place was called as Thanjai Yazhi Nagar or Thanjamapuri and latter it became Thanjavur. Marathi inscriptions are available on the pillar, which tells us the significant contributions done to this temple by King Sarabhoji.

·        Perumal (Lord): Narasimha – Sitting Posture – Facing East.

·        Thayar: Thanjai Nayagi.

·        Pushkarani: Surya Pushkarani, Srirama Theertham.

·        Vimanam: Vedasundara Vimanam

·        Prathyaksham: Markandeya

·        Utsavar: Sriman Narayana in all the three temples.

In all the three temples, Utsavar is Sriman Narayanan. These three temples are together considered as one Divyadesam. These temples are separated by 200 meters from each other. The Lord presented himself in the form of Narasimha to Dhatchagan (Thanjagan in Tamizh). Hence the name Thanjai came into being. The Lord in Thanjai Maamani Kovil faces Thanjavur and called Thanjai Kattharulum Deivam (God who protects Thanjavur).

At this place, Sri Nayinachariar (Son of Swami Desikan) established that Desika Prabandham is to be recited in all Divyadesams during Anathanyana period (Periods when Divya Prabandham is not recited).

Mangalasasanam:

Three Azhvaars namely Thirumangai Azhvar, Boothaththaazhvar and Nammazhwar have done Mangalasasanam for this Divya Desam. Thirumangai azhvar sang three verses in his Peria Tirumozhi; Boothaththaazhvar sang one verse in his Irandaam Thiruvandhathi and Nammazhwar sang one verse in his Thiruvaimozhi.

·        Thirumangaialwar – 3 Paasurams

·        Nammalvar – 1 Paasuram

·        Boodathalwar – 1 Paasuram

·        Total – 5 Paasurams

Pushkarani:

·        Amirtha Theertham

·        Kannika Pushkarani

·        Rama Theertham

·        Surya Pushkarani

·        Vennaru

Sacred Tree:

·        Magizham Tree

Temple Opening Time

Veera Narasimha Perumal temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. To visit the other two temples, the devotee has to take the priest with him/her

Festivals

Brahmotsavam is celebrated for three Perumals successively in the months of Panguni (March-April), Chithirai (April-May) and Vaikasi (May-June). 18 Garuda Seva in Vaikasi-May-June is the great festival of the temple.

Prayers

Devotees pray to Lord Veera Narasimha during Pradosha time-4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. to realize their wishes. Devotees offer sweet pudding-Sarkarai Pongal- nivedhana to Neelameghar and Manikundra Perumal and sweet drink – Panagam to Lord Narasimha. They also offer vastras.

Contact

Sri Neelamegha Perumal Temple

Palli Agraharam, Thanjavur (District)

Tamilnadu, India.

Phone: +91 – 4362 – 223 384

Mobile: +91 – 8940212119 / 9952114758

Connectivity

Singapperumal koil is 3 km from Thanjavur old bus stand on the Kumbakonam route. The three temples are nearby to one another. These temples are situated at Vennatrankarai (Vennar Bank) about 5kms North of Thanjavur, on the Thanjavur-Thiruvayaru/Kumbakonam Road. This place is situated in green and fertile landscape in the banks of Vennar River.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Thanjavur & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.