Location: Thanjavur
near .
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Three sets of deities
Taayaar: Three sets
of deities
Theertham:Amrita Theertham
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Nammalwar, Bhootatalwar
Vimaanam:Soundarya Vimanam
Travel Base:Thanjavur
Description: This is a actually a cluster
of three temples, considered to be one Divya Desam, sung by Tirumangaialwar,
Bhootattalwar and Nammalwar. Nammalwar refers to Manikkunram, while Bhootattalwar
refers to Thanjai. Tirumangaialwar refers to Thanjai Maamanaikkoyil, and
Manikunram. These temples are located in the outskirts of Thanjavur (the
ancient Chola capital - known for its architectural masterpiece - The
Brihadeeswarar Temple) in a suburb by name Vennatrankarai.
Legend
has it that Vishnu took the Narasimha Avataram to vanquish a demon elephant
by name Tanjakan; upon his request, Vishnu took abode here, in this stalam
which came to be known as Thanjavur.
The first of the three
temples, the Maamanikkoyil enshrines Neelamegapperumaal in a sitting posture
facing east, and his consort is Senkamalavalli. Parasarar is said to have
worshipped here. Also here are shrines to Lakshmi Narasimhar and Lakshmi
Hayagrivar. There is also a beautiful image of Nartana Krishnar here.
The second temple
is known as Manikkunram. Manikkunrapperumaal is enshrined
here in a seated posture, facing east. His consort is Ambujavalli. The
theertham here is the Rama theertham and the vimanam Manikkoota Vimanam.
Markandeya is believed to have worshipped here.
The third is Thanjaiyali
nagar, enshrining a seated image of Narasimhar whose consort is Thanjai
Nayaki. The theertham here is Surya Pushkarini, and the vimanam Vedasundara
Vimanam. Markandeyar is believed to have worshipped here. The Utsavar
in all of these temples is known as Narayanan.
The temples date back
to the period of the Nayakas of Madurai. The Veda Sundara Vimanam above
the Veerasinga Perumaal shrine is of great beauty. These temples are administered
by the Tanjavur palace.
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