Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru
Neeragam
Thiru
Neeragam Jagadeeshwara Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located inside
the temple premise of Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram. Ulagalanda
Perumal Kovil has the significance that this temple enshrines three Divya
Desams – Thiruneerakam, Thirukkarakam and Thirukkaarvaanam in its precinct. Thirumangai
Azhvaar praises all three Divya Desams in a single Paasuram.
Legends
The
legend behind this Divya Desam is that Neer, the water is the primary and
necessary element and elixir of all the life on the earth. To explain this, Sri
Narayanan is giving his Seva as "Jagadeeshwara Perumal". The Perumal
is also called as "Thiru Neeragathan".
The
Temple
In the
second prakaram of Thiru Ooragam Ulagalandha Perumal Temple behind the 16
Pillar Mandapam Devotees can worship the Shrine of Thiruneerakam where Vishnu
is blessing as Neeragathan – Jagadeeshwara Perumal under Jagadeeshwara
Vimanam in his Standing Posture facing east. This is the place where Markandeya
Maharishi, father in law of Oppiliyappan, once underwent a penance on the banks
of River Bathra towards Paranthaman to get his Prathyaksham as “Aalilai
Krishnan” – Child Krishna on the Banyan Leaf.
Pleased Vishnu
with his Maya recreated the Pralaya Scene again and provided the Sage his
Darshan of Aalilai Krishnan on the flood. Even though it is one of the 108
Divyadesams, the Shrine is very small and there is no any clear information
about the Temple Vimanam, Gopuram and the Utsava Murthy. Thayar is being worshipped
as Nilamangaivalli Nachiyar. The temple is revered by the verses of
Tirumangai Alvar.
Moolavar &Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this
Sthalam is Sri Neeragathan. He is also named as Jagadeeshwarar. He is found in
Nindra Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards East direction. The
Perumal gave Prathyaksham for Akroorar.
Thaayar:
The
Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.
Mangalasasanam:
·
Thirumangai
Alwar - 1 Paasuram
Pushkarani:
·
Akroora
Theertham
Vimanam:
·
Jagadeeshwara
Vimanam
Temple Opening
Time
The
temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Literary
Mention
Neeragam,
Kaarakam and Kaarvaanam Temples are currently found within the Ooragam Divya
Desam temple complex, North of Kanchipuram bus stand. All these three temples
have been praised by Thirumangai Azhvaar in a single Paasuram along with Thiru
Ooragam. There are no specific stories relating to any of these temples.
However, a close reading of the Paasuram throws open a few questions.
Thirumangai
Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse:
நீரகத்தை........நிலாத்திங்கள் துண்டத்தாய் நிறைந்த
கச்சி ஊர்கதை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பெநிநேனே
கச்சி ஊர்கதை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பெநிநேனே
Thirumangai
specifically refers to Ooragam Divya Desam as ‘Kachi Ooragathaai’ confirming
the presence of Ulagalantha Perumal in Kanchipuram. However, when referring to
Neeragam, Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam in the same Paasuram, Thirumangai does not
bring the Kanchi connect, throwing open the question as to whether these three
Divya Desams were originally outside Kanchi and were then brought into this
temple complex much later, after Thirumangai’s time.
Thirumangai
Azhvaar’s devotion and attachment to the Lord stands out. This can be seen in
the way he connects Lords from different Divya Desams in a single Paasuram.
Even as he is praising one Lord, belonging to one Divya Desam, his thoughts
seem to be immediately moving to and connecting with Lords belonging to other
Divya Desams, which he had already seen.
This
particular Paasuram is a perfect example of the beautiful way Thirumangai
connects different Divya Desams. Starting with Neeragam, he moves to Nilaa
Thingal and then to Ooragam and then brings in Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam as
well.
Connectivity
Ulagalantha
perumal temple is located in Kanchipuram. The temple is very close to Sri
Kamatchiamman temple and very near to Kanchipuram bus stand. The temple is on
the way to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple from Kancheepuram bus stand.
By Road:
The city
of Kanchipuram is well connected with the other part of the states and it is
few kms from the Quadrilateral National Highway. There are frequent bus
services from Chennai and it takes 2- 3 hours to reach. The Chennai
Metropolitan and the state express transport operate the services.
By Train:
Kanchipuram
is connected with the southern part of the rail network and few trains are
running through Kanchipuram. Suburban trains are running between Kanchipuram
and Chennai beach on specified intervals.
By Air:
Chennai,
the nearest international airport, is situated around 75 km away from
Kanchipuram. Both public and private transport facilities are available at the
airport.