Nangur Vishnu Temples, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
The Vishnu
temples at Nangur are a group of 11 temples near Nangur in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu, India. The eleven temples are part of the 108 Divya
Desams of the Hindu
god Vishnu. The temples at Nangur are believed to have been
sanctified by Tirumangai Alvar, one of the 12 Azhwars. The oldest of them have been dated to the reign of the
Medieval Chola king Parantaka
I.
Legends
Angered
at not being invited for the Yaagam conducted by Parasakthi’s father Dakshan,
Shiva is said to have performed the Rudra Thandavam in a place called Ubaya Cauvery
(between Cauvery in the South and Mani River in the North), a few kms South
East of Sirkazhi. So aggressive was his performance that for every hair that
fell down on the ground, a new form of Shiva emerged. And very quickly 11 forms
of Shiva were each performing the Rudra Thandavam. Sensing a possible damage to
the world as a result of Shiva’s fury, Lord Vishnu appeared here before Shiva
as Paramapadha Naathan.
Softened
by the presence of Lord Vishnu, Rudra requested Vishnu appears in just as many
forms. Lord Vishnu is said to have acceded to this request and provided darshan
to Rudra in 11 different forms here in Thiru Nangur, having taken one form each
from 11 different Divya Desams. These together constitute the 11 Divya Desams
in and around Thiru Nangur.
Thirunangur
Tirupathis
Thirukkavalampadi:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruvanpurushothamam:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruarimeya
Vinnagaram:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruchemponsey:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thirumanimadam:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruvaikunda
Vinnagaram:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruthevanartthogai:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruthetriyambalam:
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brief details, please refer below link;
Thirumanikkoodam:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruvellakkulam or Annan Koil:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Thiruppaarththanpalli:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Festivals
The Thirumangai
Alvar Mangalasasana
utsavam (festival) in the month of Thai (Jan-Feb) on the New Moon day
(Amavasai) witnesses 11
Garuda Sevai a spectacular event
in which festival images idols from the 11 Thirunangur Divyadesam shrines in the area are brought on Garuda mounts to Thirunangur. An idol of Thirumangai
Alvar is also brought here
on a Hamsa Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses)
dedicated to each of these 11 temples are recited.
The Utsavar (festival deity) of Thirumangai
Alvar and his consort Sri Kumudhavalli
Naachiyar are taken in a palanquin to each of the 11 temples, through the paddy
fields in the area. The paasurams (poems) dedicated to each of the
11 Divyadesams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the
most important of the festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of
visitors.
Connectivity
These
temples are located in the vicinity of Thirunangur Village. Thirunangur is about
5 miles (8 kms) away from Sirkazhi.
By Road:
These
temples are located on the Sirkali-Nagapattinam route. Auto facility is
available. There are buses from Mayavaram/ Sirkazhi that goes past Thiru
Nangur. Direct special buses are available only on special occasions. If you are
going in car it is 20 kms from Mayavaram and 8 kms from Sirkazhi.
The road
leading to this village is narrow and you might miss the turning from the main
road if you are not watchful. Extensive network of roads connect it to Chennai,
Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Pondicherry, Thanjavur and all other major cities.
Nagapattinam is located at a distance of about 330kms from Chennai by Road.
By Train:
Nagapattinam
railway junction connects Thiruvarur in the west, Nagore in the north,
Velankanni in the south and Karaikal in the east. There is a daily express
train to Chennai via Mayiladuthurai and Ernakulam via Coimbatore and it
connects all major cities. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkazhi.
By Air:
The
nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 miles) away from
the town.