|
Location:
Tirukkarangudi
near Nanguneri (Tirunelveli)
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Azhagiyanambi
Taayaar: Kurunkudivalli
Naachiyaar
Theertham:Tiruppaarkadal
Paasuram :Perialwar, Tirumazhisai, Tirumangai,
Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Pancha Ketaka Vimanam
Travel Base:Tirunelveli
Description This Divya Desam
is located near Kalakkad (near Nanguneri) in Tirunelveli
district and is also known as Vamana Kshetram. This is the shrine where
Tirumangaialwar attained salvation.
Deities:
Azhagiya Nambi (also known as Kurunkudi Nambi, Irunda Nambi, Vaishnava
Nambi, Tirupparkadal Nambi, Malai Mel Nambi) in a standing posture facing
east. Taayaar here is Kurunkudivalli Naachiyaar. There are shrines to
Ninra Nambi and Kidanda Nambi. There is a shrine to Shiva in between these
two shrines in front of the Irunda Nambi shrine. Irunda Nambi is referred
to as Vaikuntha Nathan. There is a small shrine to Tirupparkadal Nambi
on the banks of a creek by name Tirupparkadal. Atop a hill at a distance
of about 10km is the Malaimel Nambi shrine.
Legend
has it that Vishnu in the disguise of a disciple, obtained Sree Vaishnava
initiation from his beloved devotee Ramanunacharya and hence the name
Vaishnava Nambi. Legend also has it that Shiva obtained alms from Tirukkurunkudivalli
(Lakshmi), in the skull of Bhrama's fifth head, which had gotten stuck
to his palms, after he had removed it from Bhrama's self. Vishnu is said
to have taught the Sudarshana Mantram to Shiva at this shrine. This legend
here is the same as that held at the Harasaapavimochana Perumaal temple
at Tirukkandiyur and and at Bhikshandar Koyil (Tirukkarambanur)
in Chola Nadu.
There are several
other colorful legends associated with this temple. Vishnu in the guise
of a hunter is believed to have guided a Rakshasan and a Bhramanan to
salvation. It is also believed that Nammalwar was born through the grace
of Vaishnava Nambi at Kurunkudi.
The temple:
This temple covering an area of 18 acres has five prakarams, and is surrounded
by a massive wall, crowned with a five tiered gopuram. The Vijayanagar
rulers and the Nayaks of Madurai have made several endowments
to this temple, which boasts of several exquisite sculptures. Mention
must be made of depictions of Gajendramoksham, Gopi Vastrapaharanam, Trivikrama
Avataram etc. and others such as one of four horses sharing a common head.
|
