Aadhi Narayana Perumal Temple, Engan, Thiruvarur
Adi Narayana Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu located at Engan in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The unique
aspect of the temple is that Idol of Lord Vishnu worshiped in the temple is
sitting atop Garuda. Thus, devotees get the opportunity to have Garuda Seva
darshan daily. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Narayana Perumal.
Mothers are Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Tree. Historically
this place is called as Sameebanam and Vanni Maraikkadu.
Legends
Sage Brugu was performing penance here surrounded by
Vanni trees. A Chola king raised high sounds while hunting a lion and
interrupted the penance of the sage. He cursed the king that he would have a
lion’s face as he has chosen this place for hunting where sages are engaged in
penance. The king begged for a remedy. The sage suggested him to bath in Vettaru
River known as Vriddha Cauvery and worship Perumal to get rid of his curse. The
king followed the advice of the sage and got back his human face. Hence why
this place is very special to Mrigashirsha Nakshatra as the king was relieved
from his animal (Mrigam) face.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Narayana Perumal. Lord
Vishnu graces from his sanctum sanctorum on his vehicle Garuda, which is a rare
form in the Vishnu temples. Here the Lord comes in the mission of rescuing one
of his disciples on his Vahana Garuda. Mothers are Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Sthala
Vriksham is Vanni Tree. Procession deity Aadhi Narayana Perumal graces with his
discuss and conch along with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Subsidiary deities worshipped
in the temple are Nardana Vinayaka, Hanuman and Garuda. The temple is an
ancient one with traditional architectures and sculptors. The small shrine is
built in typical Dravidian architecture style.
Nitya
Garuda Seva:
This is a Vaishnava temple with presiding deity Perumal
appears on Garuda in the sanctorum itself. We see Perumal in temples in
sitting, standing or reclining form only. The Lord appears on Garuda only
during festivals. This is a temple where Garuda Seva is available to the
devotee every day. Mrigashirsha starrers worship here for quick solutions to
problems they face.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the
evenings.
Festivals
Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Garuda Panchami, Gokulastami
in August-September and Rama Navami in March-April are the festivals celebrated
in the temple.
Prayers
Besides Mrigashirsha starrers praying in this temple for
relief from adverse planetary effects, those seeking child boon, early happy
wedding crossing the obstacles, afflicted by Naga Dosha-snake aspects, Pakshi Dosha-bird
aspects, suffering from skin diseases, threatened by enemies, family unity and
upset by recurring death incidents in family, and child health problems pray in
this temple on Poornima days (full moon days) and Mrigashirsha star days. It is
believed that performing Tirumanjanam to Perumal on Wednesdays and Saturdays
yield all happy results and bring relief to all from any problem the devotee
faces. Those seeking a job commensurate with their qualification and a job with
a decent package are advised to perform abishek to Perumal on Wednesdays and
Saturdays. Those seeking child boon make a frame with four sugarcanes and tie a
sari on it as a cradle called Thooli in Tamil and place fruits in it, carry it
around the outer prakara of the temple in a step by step manner.
Contact
Aadhi Narayana Perumal Temple,
Engan, Tiruvarur District – 612 603
Phone: +91 4366 269 965
Mobile: +91 94433 51528
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 14 Kms from Thiruvarur, 4
Kms from Simizhi, 34 Kms from Sikkal, 40 Kms from Ettukudi, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam,
40 Kms from Nagapattinam, 25 Kms from Alangudi, 20 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 11
Kms from Kudavasal, 19 Kms from Needamangalam, 8 Kms from Thirukkannamangai and
110 Kms from Trichy. Engan is located in a side road that connects the
Thiruvarur – Needamangalam – Tanjore road and Thiruvarur – Kudavasal – Kumbakonam
road and so can be reached from either road.
Enkan is located to northwest of Thiruvarur in the
Nachiyar Kovil, Kumbakonam road and about two kilometers left of the main road
before Simizhi. An entrance arch is there on the main road. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Thiruvarur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.