Thiruneermalai Dhivya Desam – Neervanna Perumal Temple
Neervanna
Perumal Temple is located at Foot Hills. This temple has a single prakaram and
a three-tiered Rajagopuram. Raja Gopuram, Bali peeta and Kodimaram (the flag
post) are generally in a row in temples. Here, the Bali peeta and
flag post are slightly away from the Rajagopuram. As Perumal granted
darshan to Sage Valmiki as Neer Vanna Perumal and Sri Rama, they are considered
prominent in the temple. Therefore, to emphasize their importance,
Rajagopuram is before Sri Rama shrine and the flag post before Neervanna
Perumal.
A big
Hanuman statue in the traditional green colour can be found at the entrance of
the Temple opposite to the main Garbha Graha. Neer Vanna Perumal is found in
Nindra Thirukolam (standing posture) facing towards East direction in the
sanctum. He is also called as Neelamugil Vannan. It is believed that he
gave Prathyaksham for Thondaiman, Brighu Munivar and Markandeya. The lord is
seen with Abhaya Hastham and holding Sankha and Chakra. The lord is adorned
with a long Saligrama Maalai or garland.
On his
right is the statue of Sage Valmiki in praying posture and is believed to be a
Swayambu moorthy. There is a Separate Shrine for Animamalar Mangai Thayar in
the precinct. Animamalar Mangai Thayar is so beautiful that you cannot take
your eyes off her. Utsava moorthy of the goddess has Gaja (elephant) on both
sides just like Gajalakshmi. The other temples in the same precinct are that of
Andal and Kodandarama temple.
Procession
deity, Azhagia Manavalar of the Hill Temple is at the temple in foot
hills. Azhagia Manavalar shall visit the hill temple during 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.
