Thirumanikkoodam Divya Desam, Thirunangur

Introduction

Thirumanikkoodam is a temple of Vishnu, where he is housed as Varadaraja Perumal. His consort is Goddess Thirumaamagal. This temple is a Divya Desam, regarded a special abode of Vishnu, for, it has been glorified in the hymns of the Azhwar saints, many centuries ago. Thirumanikkoodam Divya Desam or the Varadaraja Perumal temple is located in the Thirunangur village, near Sirkazhi town, in the Mayiladuthurai district of the Tamil Nadu state. This also remains one of the Thirunangur Tirupathi, a cluster of 11 Vishnu shrines of this belt. All these temples are closely associated with the saint-poet Thirumangai Azhwar, who has sung hymns praising all these deities. Incidentally, Thirumanikkoodam is the only temple among these 11 Tirupathis, that has been sung about by an Azhwar saint in addition to Thirumangai Azhwar. It is also believed that Krishna, as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Prince Arjuna, started his teachings to Arjuna only at this place, and hence the temple got the name as Thiru Mani Koodam. The temple tank, too, is said to have been dug by Arjuna only.

Temple Legends

The Legend is common for all the 11 temples of Thirunangur, and it is about Vishnu appearing before Shiva to control his anger and bring balance to the cosmos. Once, Goddess Sati, Shiva’s consort, went to attend the sacrifice conducted by her father, Daksha, against Shiva’s wish. Daksha had a grouse against Shiva, as he had plucked out one of the heads of Brahma, Daksha’s father. So, while Daksha invited many dignitaries to the ritual, he ignored his son-in-law Shiva. In the sacrifice too, Sati was greatly belittled by Daksha, and unable to take the insult, she jumped in the sacrificial fire and killed herself. This tragedy proved too much for Shiva to bear, and he went wild and started doing his cosmic dance. And every time his tuft of hair touched the earth during the dancing, 11 new embodiments of Shiva, got generated from there. As this could spell doom for the universal beings, the Devas and other celestials pleaded with Lord Vishnu to end this dance of destruction and restore balance in the universe. Accordingly, Vishnu is said to have assumed 11 forms and brought Shiva under control. It is said that these 11 Vishnu forms are worshipped as the principal deities of the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples.

The Architecture of Thirumanikkoodam Divya Desam, Thirunangur

This is a simple temple with a single courtyard and shrine. Lord Varadaraja Perumal can be worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum, in the standing posture, along with his consorts Sridevi, known as Thirumaamagal Nachiyar and Bhudevi. The deities are facing East. The 11 Rudras, the Shiva-forms, and the king of the Devas had worshipped this Lord, it is said. This temple has also come under praise in some other devotional works, like the 108 Tirupathi Andhadhi, composed by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Iyengar.

Temple Festivals

Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalaasaasana Utsavam is celebrated in all the Thirunangur Tirupathi temples with devotion and enthusiasm, during the Tamil month Thai (January-February). On the occasion, the festival deities of all these temples are taken in procession to Thirunangur, in Garuda Sevai, that is, on their Garuda vehicles. Saint Thirumangai Azhwar, along with his consort Kumudavalli Naachiyar, is also brought from the Thiruvali-Thirunagari temple, when his compositions in praise of these deities are all chanted with piety. A big crowd of devotees participate in this festival and seek divine blessings. Besides, the Theerthavari festival is also celebrated in the month of Aadi (July-August).

Benefits of Worshipping the Lord of Thirumanikkoodam

Since Lord Krishna is said to have started his spiritual lessons to Arjuna here, this Lord is worshipped, particularly by those, seeking divine knowledge and blessings. Also, Varadaraja is the ‘king of granting boons,’ as his name suggests. Hence it is believed that his blessings can bestow strength, prosperity, career growth, progeny blessing, and joy.