Thiruneermalai Dhivya Desam – Hill Temple
The hill
temple is accessed via a flight of 300 steps and it houses three sanctums. They
are Shanta Narasimhan, in a seated posture facing east, Ranganathar, in a reclining
position, facing south and Trivikrama (Ulagalandha Perumal) in a walking posture
facing east. The Temple have two prakarams. The Garuda shrine faces the sanctum. Presiding Deity is
called as Ranganathar. Mother is called as Ranganayaki, consort of Ranganathar.
She is housed in a separate sanctum facing east. This temple is very famous for
conducting marriages.
Shrines
of Trivikrama and Narasimha are located around the first precinct. Here in this
temple, there is an old peepal tree. Lord Ganesha, known here as Dhoomaketu Ganapathi,
is seen along with Sapthakaanika's under this tree. Santhaana homam (homam
performed praying for child), milk Abhishekam on Chathurthi day by the devotees.
Dhoomam means "Rahu". If you worship this Ganapathi during
Rahu Kaalam, it is believed that all the dosha's will be removed by
praying to Lord Ganesha here. Compared
to Sholinghur and
other hill temples climbing up this small hill is easy. The hill top is shown
in many Tamil films.
The
procession deity in Vishnu temples are generally placed before the presiding
deity. But the procession deity Azhagia Manavalar of the hill temple
is at the temple in foot hills. Azhagia Manavalar shall be coming to
the hill temple on the flag hoisting and lowering days during the Chithirai
(April-May) Brahmmotsavam and the Panguni Uthiram (March-April) wedding
festival day, three days in total when devotees will have the joint darshan of
the presiding and procession deities together. The view from the top of the
hill is wonderful.
Ranganatha Perumal Shrine:
The
sanctum houses the image of Ranganatha reclining on Adhishesha in all grandeur,
with Bhoodevi and Sridevi sitting near his feet, with Lord Brahma is seated on
a lotus that sprouts from Lord’s navel. The similarity of this godly sight with
Srirangam is striking at once. It is believed that when Sage Bhrigu and Markandeya
were returning after having the divine darshan of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam,
they yearned for his darshan again at this place. Lord readily granted the
darshan as Boga Ranganathan.
Lord
Ranganathar is found towards South direction and the Sayana Kolam is
referred to as "Manicka Sayanam". He is lying on the Adhiseshan under
Ranga Vimaanam. It is said that Tirumanjanam or Abhishekam is not offered to
moolavar but once a year, in the month of karthigai, Thaila Kaappu is applied
to the moolavar. The Utsava moorthies comprise of Ranganayaki Thayar, Lord
Ranganathar with Boodevi and Sridevi and Chakkarathalwar.
Ulagalandha Perumal (Trivikrama) Shrine:
Trivikrama
is seen in walking posture facing east with his left leg lifted to his
shoulder at 90 degrees reminding us that he was asking Mahabali for the space
to keep his third foot step. Moolavar is seen adorned with Saligrama Maalai. Utsavar
is Perumal with Bhoodevi and Sridevi. The Divya Desams enshrining
Trivikrama are Tiru
Ooragam (Kanchipuram), Thirukkovilur, Kaazhicheeraama Vinnagaram
and Thiruneermalai.
Shantha Narasimhar Shrine:
Lord Narasimha is in seated posture and is facing east. Though
Lord Narasimha is known for his furious appearance, he is smiling and cool
here. After killing Hiranya to save his devout son Prahladha from his tortures,
he was still furious. Boy Prahladha was very much afraid of Lord’s
fury. To make his devotee happy, Lord Narasimha shed his fury and
appeared before Prahladha as a smiling boy himself. He thus became Bala
Narasimha. Behind Bala Narasimha is Ugra (furious) Narasimha with two
hands. Devotees can worship Narasimha in two forms Bala and Ugra.