Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Naranammalpuram,
Thirunelveli
Srinivasa
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Naranammalpuram in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Though small temple, it hosts beautiful
idols of Sridevi-Bhudevi samedha Srinivasa Perumal. Puratasi (Sept-Oct) Garuda Sevai
is famous. The village is named after a queen of the same name of the Nayak
dynasty, who gifted it to Vedic Brahmins over 400 years ago. Originally known
as Dhoorva Thadagam (Arugankulam in Tamil), it was inhabited by exponents of
the four Vedas and Upanishads, and their contribution to the village society
ensured prosperity and cultural harmony.
As the
river changed its course frequently destroying their homes the villagers moved
to a place of higher altitude. They, however, named it also Arugankulam. The
holy water source in the village is known as Jatayu Theertham as Lord Rama was
believed to have performed the last rites here for the slain bird, Jatayu, a
close friend of his father, Dasaratha. There is also a separate Rama temple
near the place. In course of time the villagers moved to greener pastures
leaving the village and its temple impoverished. Four centuries have passed
since the village was set up and the temple, though small in size and overlooking
two rows of hundreds of houses, is considered a sacred place. Those who have
chosen to live there vouchsafe for the blessings they have received in answer
to their prayers for hundreds of years.
But on
December 11, 2001, looters broke into the temple and walked away with the
Utsavar idols. Though the police recovered the idols later they were not fit to
be worshipped having been broken and mutilated. The thieves had checked whether
the images contained any precious metal. The devotees, however, got new idols
and decided to perform the Maha samprokshanam. The copious rain the village
received last October when the other parts of the State reeled under drought
and the bumper harvest are attributed to the consecration move.
Another
Temple called Moondru Yugam Konda Amman Temple is located nearby on the 4-way
bye-pass road which is giving a rich look to this Village. Naranammalpuram is
located at about 11 Kms from Thirunelveli, 55 Kms from Thoothukudi and 156 Kms
from Madurai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest
Airport is located at Thoothukudi and Madurai.