Thirumanikkoodam (Varadaraja Perumal Temple),
Thirunangur – The Temple
The
temple complex has a single prakaram
(outer courtyard) and a single shrine. It is located
close to Thirunangur, a small village, 8 km east of Sirkali en route to Thiruvenkadu. Eleven Rudras and the
king of celestial deities, Devas, are believed to have worshipped
Varadarajar. The presiding deity, Varadharaja Perumal is housed in the sanctum
in standing posture, facing east. The images of his consort, Sridevi (also
called Thirumamagal Nachiyar) and Bhoodevi are housed in the same shrine.
The Moolavar,
Sri Varadaraja Perumal facing east with four hands, also known as Manikooda
Nayakan, is in a standing posture on the Aadhisesan. Theertham
is Chandra Pushkarini; Lord Vishnu saved Lord Chandra from curse and hence the
name Chandra Pushkarani. Vimanam is Kanaga Vimanam. The Lord Varadharaja is
known for his act of bestowing abundant wealth to his devotees and hence the
name of the Vimaanam as Kanaka (gold) Vimaanam.
Lord of
this place has Chandran as ornament and Garuda as vehicle He gave special Dharsan
to Lord Chandra and Garuda here. This is an act of illustrating the unity
between the Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. As the Lord Shiva solved the curse of Chandran,
here Lord Vishnu also once saved Chandra from his Curse and hence the
Pushkarani is named as Chandra Pushkarani. This temple is in the 37th place of
the 108 Divya Desams.
Garudazhwar
shrine is present at the entrance of the temple. Mahamandapam and Ardhamandapam
are present in this Temple. Varadaraja Perumal the presiding deity in the
Sanctum Sanctorum in a standing posture on a lotus pedestal is facing east.
In the right hand side of the square shaped lotus pedestal Sridevi
appears in the standing position and the Earth Goddess is seen on the left hand
side. The procession God stays nearby. In the northern side of Ardhamandapam
Nammazhwar graces in the sitting posture. Chronic diseases will be cured
on worshipping the God in Thirumanikudam.
