Ninra Narayanan Temple – Thiru Thangal


Shengamalar Thaayar

Shengamalar Thaayar

The Andaal Divya Desam at Srivilliputhur is about 25Kms(West) from here.

A war of words between the 3 Devis
A fight arose between the three Devis- Sri Devi, BhooDevi and NeelaDevi- as to who was the senior most among the three and the favourite of the Lord. To prove her status, SriDevi came down to this place and undertook penance near the ‘Thangala hills’. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before her and acknowledged that she was his favourite. In memory of this event, this place came to be called ‘Sri’ Puram. It is believed that Bhoodevi and Neeladevi agreed with this verdict of the Lord and decided to stay here at this place.

Thangalappan sengamalatthayaar

Thangalappan sengamalatthayaar

Every year, on the 5th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, ThiruThangal Appan goes to SriVilliputhur, about 25kms from here. PeriyaAzhvaar praises the Lord in the morning, while Garuda Sevai is a special feature in the evening. The next morning, 6th day of Aadi, ThiruThangal Appan takes flowers from Andaal, another unique occurrence.

11 idols inside the sanctum
Inside the sanctum, one can see as many as 11 idols, the only Divya Desam to have these many idols within the sanctum. The idols are: Deiveeka Vasudevan, Sridevi, Neeladevi, Bhoomadevi, Brigu Rishi, Markandeya Rishi, Garuda, Arunan (Suryan’s Charioteer), Anirudhan, Ushai and Jambavathi (only temple to have an image of Jambavathi).

Garuda and Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan
A unique feature at this Divya Desam is that Garuda is seen along with his traditional enemy, ‘The Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan’. Garuda is also seen adorned with jewellery.

Krishna’s grandson wedding at ThiruThangal
Krishna’s grandson Anirudhan got married at this place to Baanaasuran’s daughter Ushai. It is believed that Deiveega Vasudevan came down to attend this wedding.

Ninra Narayana Perumal - Tiruthangaalappan

Ninra Narayana Perumal - Tiruthangaalappan

A fight between Sacred Banyan tree and Aadhiseshan
Once a fight arose between a sacred Banyan tree and Aadhiseshan as to who was more powerful. They went up to Brahmma who decided in favour of Aadhiseshan as it was on the Serpant Lord that Lord Vishnu slept. Unhappy with Brahmma’s decision, the sacred tree undertook penance seeking Vishnu’s blessings. The Lord asked him to go to ThiruThangal and take the form of a hill. Fulfilling his wish, the Lord would come there to the hill and accept SriDevi, who was undertaking penance, at the foot of the hill.

Festival : Aani Brahmotsavam, Aavani Pavitrotsavam, Puratasi Garuda Sevai, Chitra Pournami- 3 day procession

Quick Facts

Deity : Ninra Naarayanan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Shengamalar Thaayar
Utsavar : ThiruThangal Appan

Temple timing : 6am-12noon and 4pm-8pm

Bus : Frequent buses between Virudanagar(25kms) & Sivakasi and Srivilliputhur & Sivakasi. Mini buses ply every 5-10 mts between Sivakasi and ThiruThangal
Train : 2661 Chennai Tenkasi Podhigai Express stops at ThiruThangal

Place to Stay : Best to stay in Madurai to visit this place