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Location: Tiruttankal
near Srivilliputtur (Virudunagar)
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Ninra Narayanan,
Taayaar: Senkamala Taayaar
Theertham:Papavinasa Theertham
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar
Vimaanam:.Somachanda Vimanam
Travel Base:Tirunelveli
Description This Divyadesam
is located in Tiruttankaal on the Virudunagar Tenkasi railroad at a distance
of 3 km from Sivakasi. (Tiruttankaa enshrining Deepaprakasa Perumaal is
located in Kanchipuram).
Deities:
There are two temples here. In the hill temple the Moolavar is Ninra Narayanan,
in a standing posture facing east, while the Utsavar is Tankaalappan.
Enroute to the hill temple is a cave temple enshrining Ranganathar or
Pallikonda Perumaal.
Taayaar sannidi is
in the 2nd level of the hillock while Perumaal's temple is situated on
the hillock.Taayaar here is Senkamalattaayar in her own sanctum in a standing
posture. Taayaar is also known by the names Anna Nayaki, Ananta Nayaki,
Amrita Nayaki and Jambavati. To Perumaal's right is Sree Devi (Anna Nayaki),
while to his left are Bhu Devi (Amrita Nayaki) and Jambavati. In the sanctum
are images of Markandeya, Garudan, Arunan, Viswakarma, Bhudevi and Sridevi,
Niladevi, Usha, Anirudhan and Bhrigu Muni. The temple at ground level
enshrines Tirukkolapperumaal.
Legend
has it that Ranganathar of Srirangam resided here, enroute
to Srivilliputtur (hence the name Tiruttangal).Legend
also has it that there was a conflict between Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and Nila
Devi as to who was superior. Sri Devi left her abode and settled down
at Tiruttankaal, as Arunakamala Mahadevi and was worshipped by one and
all. She meditated upon Vishnu desiring that he be with her. Vishnu answered
her prayers; Bhu Devi and Nila Devi followed. Legend also has it that
Krishna killed the demon Banasuran, and his daughter Usha married Krishna's
grandson Anirudhan here.
Festivals:
Worship services are offered first to Taayaar and then to Perumaal. Four
services are offered each day. Oonjal festival is celebrated each Friday
in the Taayaar shrine. In the month of Chittirai, the Pournami Utsavam
is celebrated for five days. Festival image of Perumaal is taken on a
horse mount to neighboring villages then. The 10 day Vasantotsavam is
celebrated in Vaikasi. Krishna Jayanti, Pavitrotsavam, Garuda sevai in
Purattasi, Navaratri, Kartikai deepam, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Koorattalwar
Tirunaal, and Pankuni Tirukkalyanam are celebrated here. On the fifth
day of Aadi Pooram, Perumaal is taken in procession to Srivilliputtur.
The temple:
The vimanam here is of great beauty and is known as the Somachanda vimanam
(as in Azhagar Koyil). Inscriptions from the 11th century
are seen here, although much of the construction here is a result of recent
renovations. On the other side of the hill is a rock cut temple enshrining
Karunelli Naathar (Shiva) and Meenakshi with shrines to Vinayakar, dakshinamurthy,
Natarajar, Sivakami, Subramanyar, Suryan and Chandran. This temple dates
back to the 13th century.
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