Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple,
Nachiyar Koil – The Temple
This
Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram
is about 75 feet tall. This
temple measures about 690 x 288 feet and has 16 gopurams in total. The
entrance through the eastern gateway leads to a hall of 16 pillars, called Neenila
Mutram. The centre of the hall is occupied by Dwajastambam (the flag
pole) and Balipeedam (the place of sacrifice), one behind the other.
The front portion of the flag pole has a small shrine for Garuda. The flag
pole, place of sacrifice and Garuda's shrine are in axial position from the
entrance to the main sanctum.
The Sanctum is situated on elevated
structure approached through a flight of 21 steps. Presiding Deity is called as
Thirunaraiyur Nambi / Vasudeva Perumal. This is the only Divya Desam where Lord
is seen with a conch and chakra in front of his face. He is housed in the
sanctum along with his consort Vanjula Valli Thayar (also called Neela Devi
Nachiyar). Unlike other Vishnu temples where Vishnu is given importance, in this
temple Nachiyar (Thayar) is prominent.
Vanjula Valli Thayar occupies
the central position in the Sanctum with Vasudeva Perumal slightly away by her
side. She is a little ahead of Perumal in a standing form. He is gracing the
devotees facing east in standing posture ready to marry the Thayar. Both Lord
and Nachiyar are seen here in a beautiful wedding posture, a unique feature at
this Divya Desam. The sanctum also houses the images of 10 feet tall Brahma,
Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Sankarshana and Purushotama (Vishnu) and a set of
gods, who are depicted attending the wedding.
The festive idols of Idar
Kadutha Tiruvalan (Vishnu), Sridevi (Lakshmi), Vanjula Valli (Lakshmi) and Bhudevi
are housed in the same shrine. Procession deity, Vanjula Valli appears with a
parrot and a key bunch on her hip showing that she is the head of the Universe
overseeing all administration. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as Srinivasa
Vimana. It looks like a tower (Rajagopuram).
The
temple has been built in such a way that one can see the sanctum even from
outside the
temple premises. The shrine of Thirumangai Azhwar is located on the
northern side. The central hall of the
temple, the Goratha Mandapam, houses the images of Ramanuja, Koorath
Azhwar and idols of eleven Azhwars,
leaving that of Andal.
The southern side of the
temple has a garden where the Magizha tree, the Sthala
Vriksha (temple tree) is present.
The Vasantha
Mandapa or the spring hall is located next to it, which hosts
the Vasantotsavam or spring festival during the Tamil
month of Vaikasi (May–June). The
temple also has a 100-pillared hall where the wedding festival is held
during the Tamil month of Aavani (September–October). There is a
separate shrine housing the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita in the northern
side of the
temple premises. There is a shrine for Lord Hanuman in the southern side.
There is a shrine for
Chakrathazhwar and Yoga Narasimha, believed to have been installed and
worshipped by Sage Medhavi. Lord Chakrathazhwar with the Navagrahas below and
paintings of Dasavathara (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu) can be seen in the
prakara. Sage Medhavi is nearby in worshipping form. The first precinct
has separate shrines for Manavala Mamunigal, Vedanta Desikar and
idols of the Utsava (festive images) of the 108 Divyadesams.
The idols of the procession deities
of all 108
Divyadesam temples are near the Garuda Bhagwan shrine. Special
Thirumanjanam are performed here on Shravana star days each month. There is
huge tank called Manimutharu in front of the
temple. It is about 648 feet length and 225 feet breadth. The Tank can be
approached through steps in all three sides. Aniruddha Theertham, Pradyumna
Theertham, Samba Theertham and Sankarshana Theertham are the other Theerthams
associated with this
temple.
Kal Garuda Shrine:
For brief details, please refer below link;
