Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple,
Chinnamanur, Theni
Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple
is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Chinnamanur Town in Theni
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is Lakshmi Narayana Perumal with his consorts
Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Surabi
River. Chinnamanur was called as Hari Kesava Nallur during ancient times. Famous
Poola Nandeeswarar Temple is situated very close to this Temple.
Legends
Equivalent
to Guruvayurappan Temple:
In days of yore, Lord Vishnu
devotees of this place built a Perumal temple on the banks of Surabi River as
Sri Ranganatha Temple in Srirangam. The temple was damaged by foreign invaders.
The region then came under the rule of Chera kings. Lord Perumal with his
consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi appeared in the dream of the king directing him
to build a temple here. The king built this temple with an idol resembling Lord
Guruvayurappan and the two mothers. Lord appearing as Child Kannan in
Guruvayur, appears here with his consorts. Lord Vishnu with Mother Mahalakshmi
is worshipped as Lakshmi Narayana. As Mahalakshmi is the main mother goddess
here, He is praised as Lakshmi Narayana.
Presence
of Anjaneya Idol in Sanctum:
Many years ago, devotees decided
to build a separate shrine for Anjaneya. According to local history, Lord
appeared in the dream of a devotee and directed that his devotee Anjaneya be
installed in the sanctum sanctorum itself close to him. Accordingly, Anjaneya
was installed in the sanctum itself.
History
Though most of the temples of
this region were constructed by the Pandya and a few by the Chozha King, this
temple was built by a Chera King.
The Temple
The temple is situated on the
eastern bank of Surabi River. Lord Lakshmi Narayana graces the devotees with his
consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in a standing posture. Anjaneya can be seen in
the sanctum along with the presiding deity. He is shorter in height than the
feet of the Lord. Special pujas are dedicated to Anjaneya on Hanuman Jayanthi.
As he is the disciple of Sun, devotees offer on Sundays garlands of Vada, a
popular dish of Tamil Nadu. The Vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of
Tridala design.
As Lord is all prominent in the temple,
there are no shrines for sub-deities-Parivara Devadas except for Garuda Bhagawan
opposite to the shrine of Lord. Lord Shiva (Shivalinga) and Nagas can be found under
the Magizham tree in the prakara. Magizha tree though traditionally attributed
to Lord Shiva, is also the holy tree of this temple. Theertham associated with
this Temple is Surabi River.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
7.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Chitra Poornima in April-May and
Saturdays of Purattasi month (September-October) are days of festivals in the
temple. Chitra Poornima festival is fully dedicated to Lord. He comes in
procession on a horse vahana. Krishna Jayanthi is also observed in this Temple.
On the Krishna Jayanthi day, Lord is dressed as child Krishna followed by
pujas. He comes in procession with a butter pot.
Prayers
Patients suffering from incurable
diseases and acute stomach pain pray to Lord with a towel on their birth star
days. This towel is tied around the Lord and Thirumanjanam is performed. The
wet cloth is returned to the devotee. He/she takes it home, uses it as a
bedspread and sleep on the piece of cloth. They are relieved of the ailments,
it is said. A fee is charged for this Thirumanjanam. Devotees pray for family
prosperity and for sincerity to their employers.
As agriculture is the main
occupation of the people of this place, they place the paddy seeds at the feet
of the Lord before sowing. They also place the sticks they carry for security
at the feet of the Lord, perform Sahasranama Archana and take them back. This
is known as Kambu-stick Prarthana-worship. Women facing delays in marriage
worship Lord and men worship Mother Sridevi with garlands for realizing the
wedding wish.
For solution regarding land
disputes, they pray to Mother Bhoodevi with Kumkum Archanas. Following the
tradition in Lord Guruvayur Temple, sandal paste is offered as Prasad in Lord
Lakshmi Narayana temple also. Special pujas and Homas are performed on Jupiter and
Saturn transition days for the welfare of humanity as a whole. Devotees offer
sweet pudding (Sakkarai Pongal in Tamil) as nivedhana to Lord.
Contact
Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple,
Chinnamanur – 625 515,
Theni District
Phone: +91 4554 247 486 / 247 134.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
1.5 Kms from Chinnamanur New Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Kuchanur, 17 Kms from Cumbum,
23 Kms from Theni, 24 Kms from Theni Railway Station, 25 Kms from Bodinayakanur,
99 Kms from Madurai and 110 Kms from Madurai Airport. This temple is situated
in the heart of Chinnamanur Town, near Bus Stand. There
are frequent bus facilities available for every 5 minutes from Theni to
Chinnamanur. Buses going towards Cumbum and Kumili from Theni will pass through
Chinnamanur.
Location