Saturday, April 1, 2017

Thirukkurungudi Dhivya Desam, Thirunelveli

Thirukkurungudi Dhivya Desam, Thirunelveli
Thirukkurungudi Dhivya Desam consists of Thiruvattaparai Temple, Thirumangai Alwar Tiruvarasu Temple, Azhagiya Nambi Temple, Thirupaarkadal Nambi Temple and Malaimel Nambi Temple. Main Temple is Vaishnava Nambi Temple, located in Thirukkurungudi village in Thirunelveli district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. It is located 45 km (28 mi) from Thirunelveli and 11 km (6.8 mi) from Nanguneri. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabhandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD.





It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaishnava Nambi and his consort Lakshmi as Thirukurungudivalli. The temple is locally referred as Dakshina Vaikuntam, the holy abode of Vishnu. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and two of its three bodies of water. Vaishnava Nambi is believed to have appeared to slay the demon Somuka who abducted the four Vedas. The temple follows Thenkalai tradition of worship.





Araiyar Sevai, the visual song and dance enactment of Nalayira Divya Prabhandham is originated here at Thirukkurungudi. It is also known as ‘Dakshina Badri’. The Lord here is seen 5 different Kolams- Ninra Kolam, Iruntha Kolam, Sayana (Sleeping) Kolam, Thirupaarkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi (on top of the Mahendra hill). The place is referred to as the ‘Southern Home’ of Lord Vishnu.





Lord Vishnu took the role of a disciple and obtained Vaishnava initiation from Ramanuja at the place. Thirumangai Azhwar attained Moksham at the place. Thirukkurungudi is a holy Divyadesam complex of 5 temples and 5 Nambis (“Nambu” in Tamil means believe and “Nambi” means believed by all). The main temple of Thirukkurungudi has 3 Nambis in Nindra (standing), Irundha (sitting) and Kidantha (reclining) postures. The other two Nambis are in the nearby Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple and Malaimel Nambi temple.





The other two nearby temples Thiruvattaparai and Thirumangai Azhwar Tiruvarasu are also very significant and part of this Divya Desam. Nammazhwar, the foremost amongst the Vaishnavite saints, is considered to be the incarnation of this Lord Nindra Nambi. He was born to his mother Udaya Nangai after her prayers here. The famed Araiyar Sevai and Kaisika Puranam originated from here. It ranks 89th Divya Desam temple (out of 108 Divya Desams).





Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) and Brahmotsavam during the month of Chittirai, being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.





Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Religious Significance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Singers
Celebrated Vaishnavite Saints Tirumazhisai Azhwar, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar had praised the glory of the Lord of the temple in their Mangalasasanam Prabhandham hymns.
Mangalasasanam:
·        Periyalvar - 1 Pasuram
·        Tirumazhisai Alwar - 1 Pasuram
·        Nammalwar - 13 Paasurams
·        Thirumangai Alwar - 25 Paasurams 
Periazhwar refers to Thirukkurungudi, Thiruvellarai and Thiru Kannapuram in this following Pasuram;
உன்னையும் ஒக்களையிர் கொண்டு
தம் இல் மருவி உன்னோடு தங்கள் கருத்து
ஆயின செய்து வரும்
கன்னியரும் மகிழ, கண்டவர் கண்குளிரக்
கற்றவர் தேற்றிவர, பெற்ற எனக்கு அருளி
மண்ணு குறுங்குடியாய் வெள்ளறையாய்
மதில் சூழ் சோலைமலைக்கரசே
கன்னபுரதமுதே
என் அவலம் களைவாய் ஆடுக செங்கீரை
ஏழுலகும் உடையாய் ஆடுக ஆடுகவே
Prayers
People pray to Perumal for salvation. Devotees light ghee lamps.
Contact
Thirukkurungudi Dhivya Desam,
Thirkurungudi – 627 115
Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 4635 265 289
Mobile: +91 94432 05739 / 94863 21552
Connectivity
Thirukkurungudi is located at the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of Kanyakumari and about 120 km from Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala. Thirukkurungudi is approachable by road. It is located at about 45 kms from Thirunelveli, 15 kms from Nanguneri (Vana Mamalai) and 10 kms from Vallioor.
Jeeps are available from Thirukkurungudi to Malaimel Nambhi temple (Even if you have your own vehicle, hiring one of the many jeeps available in Thirukkurungudi is recommended due to poor rood conditions and the hilly terrain). Visiting other temples (Thiruvattaparai, Thirupaarkadal Nambhi, and Thirumangai Alwar Tiruvarasu) is easier when you have a vehicle. You can ask the local people / priests to take you to these temples.
From Chennai, one can take the Kanyakumari/Ananthapuri Express to Valliyur. From here, one can reach Thirukkurungudi (10 km) in 20 minutes by boarding the Papanasam bound bus via Eruvadi. By car, one can reach the shrine in 45 minutes from Thirunelveli. One can also visit Vaanamamalai Divyadesam in Nanguneri. Nearest Railway Station is located at Valliyur. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram and Thoothukudi.

References