108 Divya-deshams: Thiruneeragam

BY: SUN STAFF

Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Thiruneeragam

Mar 05, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Thiruneeragam, is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This Divya Desam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal with His consort Amuthavalli (Lakshmi). The temple complex actually houses four Divya Desams in its different precincts, namely, Tirukkaravanam, Tirukarakam, Tiruneerakam, and Tiruürakam. Tiruürakam is present within the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple.

Bhagavata Purana describes how Lord Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over Svarga, as it had been taken by the benevolent asura King, Mahabali. Bali was the grandson of Prahlada. King Mahabali was generous, and engaged in severe austerities, winning the praise of the world. He regarded himself as the most powerful being in the world. Vamanadeva appeared to conquer him. This pastime is also associated with the Thrikkakara and Tirukoyilur temples.

A view of the temple it and tank

Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. It is believed to have been built by the Pallavas, with later contributions from the medieval Cholas, Vijayanagara kings, and Madurai Nayaks. The earliest inscription is from 846 CE during the regime of Nandivarman III (846–869 CE). The inscriptions refer the main deity by various names, like Thiru Uragathu Ninru-arulina Paramaswamin, Tiru Uragathaḻvar, and Tiru Uragathu Emberuman. The Sambuvarayar rule of the 16th Century records the gift of a pond and a grove in Sevvanmedu village. The temple still oversees this grove on the Lord's behalf.

View of the gopuram

The presiding Deity, Ulagalantha Perumal, is over 35 ft. in height, depicted with His left leg at a right angle to the body and parallel to the ground. The right leg is seen placed on the head of Mahabali, with two fingers on His left hand stretched out, referring to the two steps he took to measure the two worlds, and the stretched finger on his right hand indicating the question He posed to Mahabali as to where he could place His third step. The sanctum vimana has an elevated roof to accommodate the huge image of the presiding deity.

View of the ceiling of the temple

Tirukkaravanam shrine is located in the second precinct. The presiding deity is Kalvar, who faces north; His consort is Kamalvalli Thayar. Gauri Tatakam and Taratara Tatakam are the temple tanks associated with the temple and the vimana is called Puskala Vimana. There is a separate shrine for Aranavalli Thayar.

Nurrettrutiruppatiyantati, Lord Vishnu revealed himself to a sage here in the form of a child on a banyan leaf.

View of the ceiling of Tiruneerakam

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