Thiruneermalai-An Enchanting Temple

 In continuation of our plan to visit all divya kshetrams, we undertook a trip last week to Thiruneermalai. Though we are residing in Chennai for more than two decades, strangely this Divya desam in Chennai itself had eluded us. I believe it was only now that we became eligible for the divine call.

Thiruneermalai is a Chennai Suburb around 5 kms from Pallavaram off Guindy- Tambaram road. You can reach the temple either by car, taxi or take a bus from Pallavaram bus depot.

Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also known as Thoyagiri kshetram or Thothadri. (Thoya=water (neer): adhiri=hill (malai)

As the hill was once surrounded by water, this kshetram came to be known as Thiruneermalai

History: The temple is known to have been built in the 8^th century by the Pallava kings and was later said to have been renovated by the Chola kings.

Legend: Sage Valmiki wished to have the darshan of Sri Rama as in his wedding form with Sita {Kalyana thirukolam} and performed penance here for this purpose. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Rama gave him the divine darshan in Kalyana Tirukolam along with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna and at the request of the sage the Lord stayed at Thiruneermalai to bless His devotees

Saint Tirumangai Azhwar came here to have the darshan of the lord. Since the hill was then surrounded by water, he could not reach the temple. Hence he stayed at the opposite hill and prayed to the Lord till the water receded. Pleased with his steadfast devotion, the lord granted the azhwar four forms of darshans as Neervanna Perumal, Sri Ranganathar, Sri Narasimhar and Sri Ulagalanda Perumal

Tirumangai Azhwar in 19 Paasurams  and Boodhathaazhwar in one Paasuram have sung the glory of the lord in the Mangalasasanam hymns here

One of the famous hymns of Tirumangai azhwar is here for you to read and enjoy

அன்றாயர்   குலக்கொடி  யோடணிமா

மலர்மங்கையோடன்பளவி  அவுணர்க்

கென்றானு  மிரக்க மில்லாதவனுக்குக்

குறையுமிடமாவது  இரும்பொழில்சூழ்

நன்றாய புனல்னறையூர்த்    திருவாலி

குடந்தை  தடந்திகழ்  கோவல்நகர்

நின்றானிருந்தான் கிடந்தான் நடந்தாற்

கிடம்  மாமலையாவது  நீர்மலையே

In this hymn paasuram Thirumangai azhwar describes the unique features of the Lord at Thiruneermalai by referring to the lords in other divya desams at Thirunaaraiyur (naacciyaarkovil), Thiruvaali (near Sirkazhi), Thirukkudandhai (Kumbakonam), and Thirukkovilur (near Cuddalore). In these places the Lord manifests in different postures- standing, seated, reclined, and walking postures, respectively. But in Thiruneermalai alone He manifests himself in all the four forms at one place. He dwells in Thiruneermalai with his consort Animaa malar mangai.

Sri Neervanna Perumal / Neermughilvanna Perumal

Now, let me share a little more of our experience here.

Soon after we boarded the taxi, Hema my cousin, started entertaining us with stories from mythology making the short journey not only pleasant but made  my yearning to learn more about our culture intense. As we entered the temple, we could see a big Hanuman statue in the traditional green colour opposite to the main Garbha Graha. After paying our obeisance to Him, we entered the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple at the foothill.

Here the presiding deity is Sri Neervanna Perumal who is in the Nindra Kolam or standing position. The lord is seen with Abhaya Hastham and holding Sankha and Chakra. The lord is adorned with a long Saligrama maalai or garland.On his right is the statue of Sage Valmiki in praying posture and is believed to be a swayambu moorthi.

Next we had the darshan of the presiding goddess Animamalar Mangai Thayar who is so beautiful that you cannot take your eyes off her. We saw that the utsava moorthi of the goddess has gaja (elephant) on both sides just like Gajalakshmi.

The other temples in the same precinct are that of Sri Andal and Sri Kodandaramar temple. After getting the darshan of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, we proceeded towards the hill temple

The temple at the top of hill

Sri Ranganatha perumal

The initial reaction from KK on seeing the long steps winding up was one of dismay but soon he started towards it with enthusiasm. Yes, we need to climb around 250 steps to reach the upper hill temple. A little strenuous though, it is not actually difficult. As we reached the top, the view all around was breathtaking. I could visualize how green and lush it would have been in the earlier days, devoid of all the concrete structures but we can still find some calm beauty here.

As you enter the temple, we can see the dwajasthambam and a few steps away we enter the sanctum of Lord Ranganatha. It is a glorious sight to see the Lord reclining there on Adishesha in all grandeur, with Bhoodevi and Sridevi sitting near his feet, with Lord Brhama is seated on a lotus that sprouts from Lord’s navel. The similarity of this godly sight with Srirangam is striking at once

It is believed that when Sage Bhrigu and Markandeya were returning after having the divine darshan of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, they yearned for His darshan again at this place. Lord readily granted the darshan as Boga Ranganathan!

It is said that Tirumanjanam or abhishegam is not offered to moolavar but once a year, in the month of kaarthigai, Thaila kaapu is applied to the moolavar

The utsava moorthies comprise of Ranganaayaki Thayaar, Lord Ranganathar with Boodevi and Sridevi and Chakrathalwar.

As we come out we can see the sannidhi of Ranganaayaki Thayaar.

Dwajasthambam at the temple on the hill top

Sri Ulagalandha Perumal:

Here we can have the darshan of Trivikraman or Ulagalandhan Perumal.

Moolavar Trivikraman is seen in Nadandhaan or walking posture facing east  with his left leg lifted up to his shoulder at 90 degrees reminding us that he was asking Mahabali for the space to keep his third foot step. Moolavar is seen adorned with saligramma maalai.Utsavar is Perumal with Bhoodevi and Sridevi

Part of the gopuram at the temple on the hill

Sri Shantha Narasimhar

In most temples we see Lord Narasimha being depicted in ugra nature but here you can see Him very calm and almost with a faint smile. It is believed that after killing the demon king Hiranyakashipu to save Prahalada, the lord was still furious and full of anger. Prahaladha was filled with fear seeing the lord’s fury.

Hence to make his devotee happy, he shed his anger and became calm and smiled at Prahaladha. Thus he came to be known as Bala Narasimha.Behind this Bala Narasimha, we can see the Ugra Narasimha too. I could not take my eyes off the Bala Narasimha for long, enchanted by His calm and the smiling feature …it is definitely addictive. You even tend to smile back at him. Do visit once to experience this divine experience. The feeling is too good to be adequately expressed in words.

Once you come out, do not forget to taste the delicious Puliyodarai that is sold outside.

Manikamika Thatakam is believed to be a mixture of four theerthams namely, Soma Pushkarni, Karunya Pushkarni, Ksheera Pushkarni and Siddha pushkarni

The scenic beauty of the surroundings and the theertham is a lovely sight that lingers long after you leave the temple. 

Having had this wonderful experience, it was time to head back home with the calm Narasimhar still smiling at us

Temple timings: morning 8.00 am to 12 noon. Evening 4.00 pm to 7.30 pm

Thank you Hema and Vijayaraghavan for the all the inputs for this blogpost.

Till the next Divya darshan happy reading!!!