Ugra Narasimhar Temple, Thirukkuravalur, Nagapattinam
Ugra
Narasimhar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Thirukkuravalur
Village in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Thirukkuravalur is the Avathara
sthalam of Thirumangai Azhwar. It is one of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrams (5
Narasimha temples) in and around Thiruvaali and Thirunangur with Narasimhar in
various forms. Panaga Prasadam is offered every day here. On New moon days, the
temple is kept open all through the day.
This is
an ancient Vaishnava Divya Desa, very devotionally revered as a great Narasimha
Kshetra in South India. The temple is known as the Dakshina Narasimha Sthala. This
holy land is mentioned as Sri Poornapuri, Poorna Narasimha Kshetra in Padma
Purana and Naradha Puranas. River Manniyaru, a tributary of Cauvery running
between Tirukudalur and Swamimalai passes through this place before reaching
the ocean.
Sri
Vaishnava Acharyas had praised this place as "Kurayalur fertile with
perennial River Manniyaru" and "the sacred soil that gave Seer
Kalian" – Kalian-Tirumangai Alwar. Great Vaishnava Gurus as Kulasekhara
Alwar, Sri Ramanuja and Manavala Mamunigal had visited and worshipped the Lord
in this temple.
Legends
Lord Vishnu consoled Lord Shiva:
Mother
Parvathi left Lord Shiva to meet her father Daksha to teach him a lesson for
organizing a Yagna with the intention of humiliating Lord Shiva. When Daksha
humiliated her too, she fell on the Yagna fire. Furious Shiva sent Veerabadra
and destroyed Daksha’s yagna. Yet, Lord Shiva could not reconcile from the
separation of Mother Parvathi. Lord Narasimha with his consorts Sridevi and
Bhoodevi gave darshan to Lord Shiva and consoled him. To see Lord Narasimha
with two Mothers is a rare depiction in temples.
Avathara Sthalam of Thirumangai Alwar:
The
place also has the reputation of being the birth place of Great Tirumangai
Alwar. He was born here in Dwapara Yuga itself as a king named Uparisiravasu.
He was again born here as King Neelan according to Mangalapuri Mahatmiyam. Of
the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desas venerated by Alwars (82 are in Tamilnadu, 2 in
Andhra Pradesh, 13 in Kerala, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 1 in Nepal and 2 are in the
Divine Kingdom)Tirumangai Alwar had venerated 86 Divya Desas in his Mangala Sasanam
hymns.
Benefit of worshipping 86 Divya Desas here:
It is
the staunch faith of the devotees that one worshipping this temple once would
have the benefit of worshipping in all the 86 Divya Desas sung by Tirumangai
Alwar. It is also noteworthy that Alwar had not sung the Mangalasasanam
separately for this temple, where he was born, but had mentioned this shrine in
the hymns he did on other temples.
The
Temple
The
significance of the temple is in the depiction of Lord Narasimha with two
Mothers, Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Lord Narasimha generally graces with Sri
Mahalakshmi only in all other temples. Mother Amirthavalli graces from her
own separate shrine. There are separate shrines for Sri Aanjaneyar,
Chakarathalwar and Tirumangai Alwar and Sri Vaishnava Gurus. The temple is
praised in the hymns of Tirumangai Alwar.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is opened from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Sri
Narasimha Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi (11th day from the New Moon day) are
the festivals celebrated in the temple. A grand Garuda Seva festival is
celebrated in Thirunangur near this place, also one of the 108 Divya Desas on
the Thai (January-February) Amavasya day (new moon day) when Alwar visits this
temple, with the chanting of the Tamil Veda ‘Tirupallandu’.
Prayers
Special
pujas are performed to Lord Narasimha on Pradosha days (13th day
from new moon or full moon days). Those suffering from depression, debt burdens
and family problems pray on this day and on Ashtami and Swati Star days and
offer Panagam as Nivedhana to the Lord.
Sudharsana
Homa is performed to Chakarathalwar (the deity attributed to the discus of Lord
Vishnu) on Amavasya day – new moon day). Those facing adverse planetary effects
and curses of the departed ancestors and threats from enemies join this Homa
and offer prayers for relief.
Contact
Sri
Narasimhar Temple,
Thirukkuravalur,
Nagapattinam
District
Mobile: +91 – 94435 64650
/ 94430 07412.
Connectivity
The
temple is 2 km from Mangai Madam which is 10 km from Sirkali on the Poompuhar
road. Bus facility from Mangai Madam is very infrequent. Hiring other vehicle
is suggested. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkazhi and Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.
