108 Divya-deshams: Thanjai Mamani

BY: SUN STAFF

Thanjai Mamani Koil

Dec 18, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Thanjai Mamani Koil is a set of three adjacent temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the Divya Desams revered by the 12 Alvars. Unlike other Divya Desams where a single shrine is referenced, this set of temples is referred to together in all the pasurams (sacred hymns).

Thanjai Mamani Koil Photos: Wiki CC

The temples are believed to be of significant antiquity, with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and Madurai Nayaks. The temples are enshrined within granite walls and the three complex contains all the shrines of the temple. Lord Vishnu assumes the form of Varaha the boar, who killed three demons named Tanchakan, Tantakan, and Kacamukan.

The temple's origin is described in the Brahmanda Purana. During the Treta Yuga, there were three demons named Tanchakan, Tantakan, and Kacamukan who were blessed by Shiva and became very powerful. They grew arrogant and troubled sage Parashara who was doing penance at this place. Vishnu killed Thanjakan with his Sudarshana Chakra. Tancakan pleaded with Vishnu to relieve him off the curse, and Vishnu named the place after his name, and hence it came to be named as Thanjavur. Kachamukan was killed by Vishnu taking the form of a Yali. Vishnu took the form of Varaha the boar to kill the third demon Tantakan, who had fled to Srimushnam.

Veera Narasimha Perumal Temple Photos: Wiki CC

The temples are located in the banks of the Vennaaru River. Manikunram has a small east facing shrine with the Lord and consort in the same sanctum. All of the Nammalvar pasurams (poems) of Thanjai refer to this shrine. Maamanikoil has a small east facing shrine with the Manikundra perumal and consort in the same sanctum sported in seated posture. The shrine is located in an elevated structure. All of the Thirumangai Alvar's pasurams (poems) of Thanjai refer to this shrine. There is a separate shrine for Ambujavalli. The waterbody associated with the temples is called Rama Theertham.

Manikundra PerumalTemple Photos: Wiki CC

Neelamegha Perumal temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram and the sanctum faces east. The presiding deity Neelamegha perumal is in veetrirunda posture. There is a separate shrine of Sengamalli Thayar. The water body of the temple is called Amrutha Theertham. The precinct around the sanctum has images of Hayagreeva, Vedanta Desikar, Alvars and Garuda.

Thanjiyali Nagar, also called Veera Narasimha Perumal, has a small east facing shrine with the main deity and his consort in the same sanctum. All of the Bhoothathalvar pasurams of Thanjai refer to this shrine. The temple has a flat entrance tower and a single precinct. Veera Narasimha Perumal is sculpted in a seated posture giving darshan to sage Markandeya. The shrine over the sanctum is called Vedasundara Vimana and the water body associated with it is called Surya Pushkarani.

Neelamegha Perumal temple Photos: Wiki CC

Wiki CC 4.9

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