Thirunaraiyur Divya Desam - Thirunaraiyur Nambi Perumal Temple (Nachiyar Koil)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Perumal and Sri Vanjulavalli (or Nambigai Nachiyar Thayar) in Thirunaraiyur Divya Desam.

• Greatness: Thirunaraiyur is a Divya Desam. It is the 14th Divya Desam and is located in Chola Nadu. The name Thirunaraiyur means a place which is fragrant (Thiru means Holy, Narai means Fragrant and Ur means Place). This place is popularly known as Nachiyar Koil since the goddess is very prominent here and takes precedence of the Perumal in various aspects (due to the boon of the Perumal to sage Medhavi). This kshetra is also known as Sugandha Vana Kshetram which means a fragrant forest. This kshetra is also known as Pancha Vyuha Sthalam since Perumal incarnated here in Pancha Vyuha forms - Shankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Samba and Puroshotthama. The Garuda here is very famous (due to the blessings of the Perumal for searching for Devi Lakshmi) and has a separate shrine. The Garuda is made of stone, so known as Kal Garuda (Stone Garuda).
- Perumal is in Standing posture facing East.
- Pratyaksham: Medhavi Munivar, Brahma
- Mangalasasanam: Thirumangai Alvar (10 Pasurams)
- Vimanam: Srinivasa Vimanam, Hema Vimanam
- Pushkarini: Mani Mukta Pushkarini, Shankarshana Teertham, Pradyumna Teertham, Aniruddha Teertham, Shambhu Teertham
- Sthala Vriksham: Magizha

• Puranic Events:

1. Devi Lakshmi & sage Medhavi: Sage Medhavi performed penance here. Devi Lakshmi incarnated here as his daughter Vanjulavalli.
- Events: Sage Medhavi was performing penance in Sugandha Vana Kshetram on the bank of river Mani Mukta with the wish of having the Goddess as his daughter and Perumal as his son-in-law. Incidentally, during that time Devi Lakshmi (as if to fulfil the wish of the sage) left her divine abode in anger (when Perumal was in Yoga Nidra) and came to Sugandha Vana. She incarnated as a small girl standing under a Vanjula tree with an aura of divine effulgence. Sage Medhavi discovered her and adopted her as his daughter. He named her as Vanjulavalli as he found her under a Vanjula tree.
- Note: The name of the Thayar is associated with this event. Since sage Medhavi found her under a Vanjula tree, he named her as Vanjulavalli. The Image of Vanjulavalli Thayar is in the garbhagriha itself along with the Perumal. There is no separate shrine for the Thayar or Andal. The Sthala Vriksha of the Temple (Vanjula Tree) is associated with this event. On the southwest corner of the Mani Mukta Teertham is a Vanjula tree which is said to be the original tree under which Devi Lakshmi incarnated.

2. Lord Vishnu & Garuda: Garuda served the Lord by searching for Devi. Lord made him famous in this kshetra.
- Events: After waking up from Yoga Nidra, the Lord started searching for Devi Lakshmi. He himself manifested in Pancha Vyuha forms (Shankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Samba and Puroshotthama) to search for Devi Lakshmi in the four directions. He asked Garuda to search for Devi Lakshmi from the sky.
- Note: Due to this service of Garuda, the Lord blessed him and made him very famous in this kshetra. The Temple has an Image of Garuda made of Stone (Kal) and has a separate shrine for Garuda. The Image of Perumal is taken out in procession seated on the Kal Garuda twice a year (4th day of Margazhi and Panguni). This is known as Kal Garuda Seva. A peculiar feature of this Seva is that while initially only 4 persons could lift the Kal Garuda, later up to 64 persons are required.

3. Lord Vishnu & sage Medhavi: Sage Medhavi performed penance in this place. Lord gave darshan to him and became his son-in-law.
- Events: When Lord Vishnu woke up from Yoga Nidra, he incarnated in Pancha Vyuha forms and searching for Devi Lakshmi in different directions came to Sugandha Vana. The Pancha Vyuha forms of the Lord are Shankarshana (East), Pradyumna (South), Aniruddha (West), Samba (North) and Puroshotthama (Center). Garuda, whom the Lord deputed in the search also came here. Sage Medhavi extended his hospitality to the five forms of the Lord. However, when Vanjulavalli was pouring water on the hands of the Lord, the Lord caught hold of her hands. Vanjulavalli shouted and when sage Medhavi was about to curse him, Perumal showed his true form to him. The sage became very happy to find that the Lord has fulfilled his wish. The sage asked for the boon that Perumal continue to abide in that place and also his daughter Vanjulavalli be given precedence in all matters.
- Note: The Images of the five forms of Lord is present in the garbhagriha. Due to the boon of the Lord, the goddess (Vanjulavalli Thayar) gets precedence in this temple even over the Lord. So the temple is known as Nachiyar Koil, or the temple of the goddess.

4. Lord Vishnu & Brahma: After hearing about the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi at Thirunaraiyur, Lord Brahma came here and worshipped the Perumal and Thayar.
• Note: There is an Image of Lord Brahma in the garbhagriha itself.

5. Lord Vishnu & Devi Lakshmi: Lord Vishnu married Devi Lakshmi (Vanjulavalli) in this place.

6. Lord Vishnu & Thirumangai Alvar: Lord providing money to Thirumangai Alvar for his services.
- Events: Thirumangai Alvar wanted to marry Kumudavalli, but she lay the condition that he has to feed thousand vaishnavites every day for one year. Thirumangai Alvar robbed the rich to perform this service. He also used the money collected as tax (as chieftain) for this purpose. The king detected this and imprisoned the Alvar in the temple itself. The Lord came in the dream of Thirumangai Alvar and told him about the money hidden on the bank of river Vegavati near Kanchi. With this money, Thirumangai Alvar got released from the prison.
- Note: There is an Image of Thirumangai Alvar in a separate shrine. The place of imprisonment of Thirumangai Alvar is preserved within the temple.

7. Lord Vishnu & Thirumangai Alvar: Lord performed the samasrayam of Thirumangai Alvar in this place.
- Events: Thirumangai Alvar prayed to the Lord to initiate him in Vaishnavism to enable him to marry Kumudavalli. The Lord himself performed the samasrayam of the Alvar (imprinting the symbols of Shankha and Chakra on the shoulders). Hence the Lord is known as Nambi (Guru).
- Note: Since the Lord performed the samasrayam of Thirumangai Alvar as a guru, the Lord is known as Nambi (Guru). The Image of Perumal is seen with Shankha and Chakra as if to imprint it on the Alvar as a Nambi (Guru).

8. Lord Vishnu & king Kochchenganan: Lord helped king Kochchenganan to regain his kingdom.
- Events: Once when king Kochchenganan went to Gaya to perform the shraddha of his forefathers, the enemies waged a battle and captured his kingdom. The king and the queen retired to the forest and came to Sugandha Vana. The sages advised him to pray to Perumal. Accordingly, the king prayed to the Perumal sitting on the southern bank of river Mani Mukta. The Lord appeared before him and told him to take bath in the Mani Mukta Nadi. When the king took his bath, he found a sword and a horse with which he regained his kingdom.
- Note: The Chola king Kochchenganan is said to have built this Perumal Temple of Thirunaraiyur. The king has also build several Shiva temples. The Mani Mukta Nadi has dried up now and is reduced to a Mani Mukta Teertham.

9. Lord Vishnu & river Kaveri: Lord purified river Kaveri from the sins of the pilgrims.
- Events: Kaveri and other rivers went to Brahma for a way to purify themselves from the sins left by the pilgrims. Brahma advised them to mingle their waters with Mani Mukta Nadi to regain their purity.
- Note: This mingling of waters happen in Margazhi Shukla Paksha.

10. Lord Vishnu & Surya deva: Lord helped Surya deva to regain his lost hands.
- Events: Once Surya deva lost his hands which got caught within the wheels of his own chariot. He approached Brihaspati for a remedy. Brihaspati advised Surya deva to take bath in the Mani Mukta Nadi. Surya deva regained his lost hands.
- Note: Surya deva took bath on the Chittirai Dwadasi day.

11. Lord Vishnu & Indra deva: Lord relieved Indra deva from the curse of sage Durvasa.
- Events: Indra deva lost his kingdom due to the curse of sage Durvasa (for disregarding the garland given by the sage). He approached Brahma. Brahma advised Indra deva to perform penance at Sugandha Kshetram and take bath in the Aniruddha Teertham. Indra got relieved of the curse. Indra planted a Peepal Tree in that place.
- Note: A Peepal Tree is present on the bank of the Aniruddha Teertham.

12. Lord Vishnu & Vayu deva: Vayu deva performed penance on the banks of Pradyumna Teertham. He planted a Banyan tree there.
- Note: A Banyan Tree is present on the bank of the Pradyumna Teertham.

13. Lord Vishnu & brahmin Banudatta: Lord relieved brahmin Banudatta from the curse of his guru.
- Events: Banudatta was a brahmin from Mahishmati who was a Vedic scholar. However, due to the display of his ego, his guru cursed him to become a demon. Banudatta roamed about in the forest in the form of a demon. Once he came to the Pradyumna Teertham to drink water. The moment he touched the water, he was relieved of his sins and regained his human form.

14. Lord Vishnu & Sapta Rishis: The Sapta Rishis stayed on the banks of Samba Teertham. They planted an Amalaki tree there.
- Note: An Amalaki Tree is present on the bank of the Samba Teertham.

15. Lord Vishnu & Shiva: Lord Shiva was afflicted with the sin of plucking the fifth head of Brahma. Shiva took bath in the Shankarshana Teertham and got relieved of the sin.

16. Lord Vishnu & Vayu: Vayu deva prayed to Lord Vishnu on the banks of Shankarshana Teertham.

• Deities:
- Thirunaraiyur Nambi: The Image of Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi in Standing posture facing East holding Shankha and Chakra (as if to imprint it on the shoulders of the Alvar as a Nambi).
- Pancha Vyuha forms: The Images of the Pancha Vyuha forms of Perumal present within the garbhagriha. The Pancha Vyuha forms of Perumal are Shankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Samba and Puroshotthama.
- Vanjulavalli Thayar: The Image of Sri Vanjulavalli (or Nambigai Nachiyar) in Standing posture on the right of Perumal present within the garbhagriha. There is no separate shrine for the goddess. This is quite unique.
- Garuda: The Image of Kal Garuda (or Stone Garuda) in a separate shrine. The shrine of Garuda is special in this temple (and unique).
- Brahma: The Image of Lord Brahma present within the garbhagriha.
- Thirumangai Alvar: The Image of Sri Thirumangai Alvar in a separate shrine.

• Sacred Geography:
- Sugandha Vana: The ancient forest of this Kshetra.
- Mani Mukta Nadi: The ancient river of this Kshetra. This later became only a Pushkarini known as Mani Mukta Pushkarini. According to legend, a few Mani (Gems) and Mukta (Pearls) fell from the Vairamudi (Gem-studded Crown) of the Lord while Garuda was carrying it from Thiruparkaddal to Thiru Narayanapuram at Melkote.
- Mani Mukta Pushkarini: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Aniruddha Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Pradyumna Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Samba Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Shankarshana Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.
- Magizha Tree: The Sthala Vriksha of the temple.
- Vanjula Tree: Situated on the south-west corner of Mani Mukta Teertham. Devi Lakshmi incarnated under this tree.
- Peepal Tree: Planted by Indra deva on the bank of the Aniruddha Teertham.
- Banyan Tree: Planted by Vayu deva on the bank of the Pradyumna Teertham.
- Amalaki Tree: Planted by the Sapta Rishis on the bank of the Samba Teertham.

• Location: Thirunaraiyur is located near Kumbhakonam in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. This is in Chola Nadu. The temple can be visited from Kumbakonam (11 km).

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