Temple Visit - Thiruneermalai

I recently happened to visit one of the 108 Vaishnava Divyadesam “Thiruneermalai” on the outskirts of Chennai. Here the Lord is in four different postures i.e.

Nindran - Standing Posture – Lord Rama
Irunthan - Sitting Posture – Lord Narasimha
Kidanthan - Reclining Posture - Lord Ranganatha
Nadanthan - Walking Posture – Lord Trivikrama
You will be surprised to know that by visiting this temple we get the benefit of visiting the four temples namely

· Thirukovilur
· Thiruvali
· Thirunarayur (Naachiyar Koil)
· Thirukudanthai (Kumbakonam)

Finds interesting?!! Please read on to get to know more about this temple.
Happy reading!
Warm Regards
A.V. Devan
Chennai – 15th Apr 2010






Thiruneermalai


About the Temple:

Thiruneermalai is situated near Pallavaram about 12 Kms from Chennai en route Chengalpattu on the GST Road. This temple is one of the 108 Vaishnavite Divya Shetrams found in Thondai Nadu. In this temple, the Perumal or Lord Vishnu is found in various positions as Standing (Nindraan), Sitting (Irunthaan) , Reclining (Kidanthaan) and Walking (Nadanthaan) Thirukkolam. This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" or "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as "Thiru Neermalai". The three lords i.e. Ranganatha, Trivikrama and Narasimha shrines are located in the 300 feet hillock and Neervanna perumal shrine is located near the foothill.

Four Lords

The Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (i.e.) - Nindra, Iruntha, Kidantha and Nadantha Thirukkolmas.

Neervanna Perumal (Lord Rama) - Nindra Thirukkolam.
Lord Narasimhar - Irundha Thirukkolam.
Lord Ranganathar - Kidantha Thirukkolam.
Lord Thiruvikrama - Nadantha Thirukkolam.

The Neervannar is found in Nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing his Thirumugham towards East direction. He is also named as Neelamugil Vannan. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar. Lord Ranganathar is found in Kidantha (lying) position facing his thirumugham towards South direction and the Sayana kolam is referred to as "Manicka Sayanam". He is lying on the Aadhiseshan under Ranga Vimaanam. Thaayar The Thayaar of this sthalam is Animaa Malar Mangai and has her own separate Sannadhi.


Historical Information


The foremost and earliest historical evidences about Thirumalai temple are the pasurams sung by Boodathalwar and Thirumangaialwar. Thirumangaialwar is considered to have lived during the period of Pallava King Second Nandhiwarman (710 A.D-775 A.D). His songs remains as testimony that Thiruneermalai remained as one of the finest temple during his period. Also the inscriptions provide information about the renovation and divine works carried out by later Chola and Vijayanagara Kings. According to these informations the temple belongs to 8 A.D.




The Legend

History has it that once sage Valmiki reached Thiruneermalai (then going by the name Gandavanam) and atop the Thoyadri hill worshipped Lord Narayana in three forms Ranganatha in the reclining posture, Narasimha in sitting position and Thiruvikrama in walking style; but he still felt that he was missing something. Back at the foothill he realised what he was looking for. His earnest prayers were answered by the Lord and there was his favourite “Kalyana Raman'' giving him darshan as “Neervannan'' with Sita, Lakshmana, Sathrugna, Bharatha, Hanuman and others. Later, when Thirumangaialwar wanted to worship the Lord at the temple, the place was surrounded by a large sheet of water and he waited for months at Kaliyanchavadi (now known as Karayanchavadi) to have the access and the darshan. Since then the place came to be mentioned in religious literature as ‘Thiruneermalai'.



Specialties

It is believed that a devotee worshipping at Thiruneermalai will be endowed with the blessings which one would receive by visiting the four sacred places of Thirunarayur (Nachiyar kovil), Thiruvali, Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam) and Thirukovilur.
The Utsavar deity of Ranganatha is seen at the Neer Vannan temple at the foot of the hill. Only thrice a year- on the first and last day of Brahmotsavam festival and on the Panguni Uthiram day- is he taken up the hill to be alongside the Moolavar Lord Ranganatha. This place is called Madhya Rangam and Lord Ranganatha is seen in Bhoga Sayanam. The temple building and structures belongs to the ancient Chola Period. The temple tank is also known as Suddha pushkarani, Sheera pushkarani, Karunya pushkarani. It is the holy water point of this temple. Taking holy bath in this tank and worshipping the deity provide relief from disease and rejuvenates both mind and soul. The tank spreading over 3 acres has a beautiful Neerazhi mandapam in center.

How to Reach

Thiruneermalai is situated near Pallavaram about 12 Kms from Chennai en route Chengalpattu on the GST Road. From Pallavaram one can take the diversion. See map given below. You can also travel in the Poonamalle-Tambaram by pass road to reach the temple. See map given below (A) is Tiruneermalai.



“ Anraayar Kulakodiyoodu, Manimaamalar Mangaiudan Palavi, Avunarukku Enraanumirakum Nanraaya Punal Naraiyur Thiruvaali Kudanthai Thadanthigal Koval NagarNinraan Irunthaan, Kidanthaan Nadanthaarkidam Maamalaiyaavathu Neer Malai Ye”



Reference :


The Hindu article about Thiruneermalai – ramanuja.org
lordneervannar.com
divyadesam.com
Wikipedia