Veera Narayana Perumal Temple, Kattumannarkoil – History
King Parantaka Chola I, during his rule (907 to 935 AD),
formed this biggest tank of Tamilnadu to improve the Irrigation facilities in
and around Chidambaram (which now feeds Chennai as well), and named it as
‘Veera Narayanan Eri’, now called Veeranam Eri. ‘Veera Narayanan’ is the
nickname given to him for his Valour. He also formed a village called as Veera
Narayana Chathurvethi Mangalam. This Village was gifted to the Scholars who
were well versed in the four Vedhas. This Village is now called as
Kattumannarkoil which is situated in the right flank of Veeranam Tank.
Parantaka Chola 1 converted this
brick temple to granite construction. Sadaya Varman Sundara Pandian
renovated the
temple completely and installed the present deity Sri Veeranarayana Perumal
in the 13th century AD. Inscriptions relating to Kulothunga Chozha I
period refer this place as Veera
Narayanan Vinnagaram and Krishna Deva Raya, who was a great devotee of Lord
Vishnu, revere this Lord as Azhagiya Mannanar.
Nathamunigal, the first of the Vaishnava Acharya Parampara,
born and lived at Kattumannarkoil, with the blessings of Veera
Narayana Perumal of Kattumannarkoil brought back the lost “Nalayira Divya Prabandham”,
Vaishnava verses back to the world. Maha Samprokshanams of this
temple was celebrated in 1968 and in 1992 and again in 2004. The
Temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu Government Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Department.