108 Divya-deshams: Thiruneermalai

BY: SUN STAFF

Thiruneermalai Temple on top of the hill

Dec 22, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The Thiruneermalai temple complex consists of two temples - the Ranganatha Temple and the Thiruneermalai Neervanna Perumal Temple, residing in Kovur, a town in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. One temple is at the top of the hill and the other in the foothills. In all, the temple complex occupies 15 acres, with the lower shrine covering 3 acres.

The presiding Deity of the temple in the foothills is Neervana Perumal, who is in standing posture. Ranganatha is the presiding Deity uphill and the shrine's vimana above the sanctum is called Ranga Vimana. Neervana Perumal's shrine also houses His consort Animamalarmangai Tayar (Laksmi Devi), Kalyana Ramar, and Andal. The shrine for Anjaneya (Hanuman) is to the right, upon the hill shrine. There are images of Trivikrama and Lord Narasimha around the first precinct. There also exists a shrine for Ranganayaki Tayar, facing the east. It is a double prakaram (outer courtyard) temple. The Garuda shrine faces the deity.

Neervanna Perumal Temple at the foot of the hill

The temple tank is called the Kshira Pushkarini and it is believed to feed the waters of Vaikuntha and the Ocean of Milk. The Karunya Pushkarini is the second tank, which is believed to have formed from the weeping of Narasimha, who was moved by the divine prayers of Prahlada. There are two other tanks called Svarna Pushkarini and Siddha Pushkarini.

The temple has many inscriptions from the Chola and later Pandyas, indicating generous contributions to the temple. According to temple legend, this site is referred to as Toyatri, meaning a mountain surrounded by water. Thiruneermalai, the modern Tamil name, also means a sacred mountain surrounded by water. Being among the eight sacred Vishnu temples where the Lord manifested himself, it is called the Ashtasvayamvaka Kshetra.

Thiruneermalai Hill Entrance

Sage Valmiki, after composing the epic Ramayana, worshipped Ranganatha at the top of the hill. When he came downhill he wanted to receive a theophany of Rama, who appeared for the devotee. Lakshmi appeared as Sita, Adi Shesha appeared as Lakshmana, Vishnu's conch, the Panchajanya as Bharatha, his discus, the Sudarshana Chakra as Shatrughna, and Garuda in the form of Hanuman.

As per a legend, the poet-saint Thirumangai Alvar was held up in the top of the mountain for six months as the place was surrounded by water. Thirumangai Alvar has glorified the temple highlighting the unique aspect of Lord Vishnu seen in four different poses: standing (Neervana Perumal), lying (Sriranganathar), sitting (Narasimha) and walking (Trivikrama).

Aerial view of Ranganatha Swamy Temple from top of the hill

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