Vanamamalai Perumal Temple, Nanguneri, Thirunelveli
Vanamamalai Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, in Vanamamalai (Nanguneri), Tamilnadu, India on the banks of Thamirabarani river.
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 Divyadesam shrines dedicated to
Vishnu. Vishnu is worshipped here as Vanamamalai Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Varamangai. The temple is believed to
have been built by the Pandyas, with later contributions from Vijayanagar
kings and Madurai Nayaks.
The temple covers an area of 5 acres
(20,000 m2) and has a five-tiered temple tower. The temple is one of the
eight Swayambu Kshetrams, the eight
temples associated with Vishnu that manifested on its own. Vanamamalai is
believed to have appeared to Adisesha and Garuda. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are
held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent.
The place came to be known as Nanguneri meaning
surrounded by four lakes. This is the only temple where Perumal
graces with his royal attire in Durbar with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There
are in all 11 Swayambu moorthies in the main sannidhi - a unique feature of
this Divyadesam. A bath in the temple tank - Chetruttamari Theertham is
said to relieve the devotees of all curses.
Oil at this Divya Desam is as special and sacred as
the Laddu at Tirupathi.
This is the headquarters of the 600 year old Vanamamalai Mutt. This Sthalam is also called ‘Bhooloka Vaikuntam’, ‘Totadrikshetram’ or ‘Vanamamalai’. Since there were 4 big Lakes around this Sthalam, this was named as “Naangu Neri”. (Naangu means four). But currently, only one lake is found. The temple is maintained and administered by the Vanamamalai Mutt.
This is the headquarters of the 600 year old Vanamamalai Mutt. This Sthalam is also called ‘Bhooloka Vaikuntam’, ‘Totadrikshetram’ or ‘Vanamamalai’. Since there were 4 big Lakes around this Sthalam, this was named as “Naangu Neri”. (Naangu means four). But currently, only one lake is found. The temple is maintained and administered by the Vanamamalai Mutt.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
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Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from morning 8.00 AM to
12.00 noon and in the evening from 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
Festivals
& Religious Practices
For brief details, please refer below link;
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/04/vanamamalai-perumal-temple-nanguneri-festivals.html
Religious
Importance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary
Mention
For brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
Gingelly oil abishek is performed to Lord throughout
the year. This abishek oil is stored in a well. Those suffering from
skin problems apply this on their body and consume a few drops for total cure.
Realizing their wishes from Perumal, devotees buy the Gingelly oil sold the
temple itself for abishek to Lord.
Contact
Sri Thothadri Nathar Temple,
Nanguneri – 627 108,
Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 – 4635 – 250 119 / 250 537
Mobile: +91 – 99942 76118
Connectivity
The temple is conspicuously located at the centre of
the Nanguneri town. The temple is located near to Thirukkurungudi Divya
Desam. Nanguneri is located at about 14 Kms from Valliyur, 16 Kms from Thirukkurungudi,
32 Kms from Thirunelveli, 190 Kms from Madurai and 130 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
All buses from Thirunelveli to Nagercoil pass through Nanguneri.
Buses are available for every 10 minutes between
Thirunelveli and Nagercoil (Nanguneri can be reached within 45 minutes from Thirunelveli bus stand). Kanyakumari Exp and Ananthapuri Express from Chennai stop at Nanguneri station.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Valliyur and Nanguneri. Nearest Airport
is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
References
