Thiru Thanjaimaamani Koil | Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple | Divya Desam 20

Thiru Thanjaimaamani Koil – Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Tanjore

About the Temple & Location:

This temple is in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It’s in the banks of the river Vennaaru and its about 2 1/2 miles away from the Tanjore railway station. Bus facilities are provided and staying facilities are furnished.

Sthala Puranam:

Tanjore is the capital of the Chola Kingdom. Parasara Maharishi’s and all the other rishis wanted to get dharsan of Lord Narayana down in this earth and hence the Lord sat on the bank of the river vinnaaru now vennaaru which is a pious river flowing with Amudhan (the drink bringing eternity) tin the Vishnuloga. This is the story behind the formation of the Tanjore Maamani Koils.

It’s also said that the Viraja river flowing in the Vishnu Lokam has changed as Vennaary here.

As the Utsavar, Sriman Narayanan is considered as to be the king of this whole universe, he has the Sengol (Baton) in his hand.

Inside the main sannadhi of Thanjai Maamani Koil Moolavar (Garbagraham), we can find dancing idol of Lord Krishna, Venkatesa perumal in his marriage dress along with his two wives and Lord Varadharaja perumal.

Outside the Moolavar Sannathi, we can worship Lakshmi Narasimhar with godess Lakshmi devi in his right lap, Andal Naachiyar and Vishvakshenar.

Thaayar Senkamalavalli Nachiyar has a separate sannadhi. Outside the Thaayar sannadhi, there is one pillar in which one side Yoga Narasimar is portrayed whereas on the other side Lord Aanchaneya (Hanuman) is found. It is said that if we come around and pray the Narasima and Aanchaneya continuously for 108 times, all our wishes would be granted immediately.

Towards the right side of the Thaayar sannadhi there is Vedhanta desigan sannathi which is said to be set up his own son Nayinaaraachariyar.

There is a beautiful story regarding the Thanjai Yazhinagar perumal.

Parasa Maharishi along with other rishi’s was living here. Deomns destroyed their yagnas and gave the rishi’s lots of troubles. Among them Tharagan, Thandagan and Thanjagan were particular in their tasks. Kaalidevi (Wife of Lord shiva) killed almost all the Demons. But somehow Thanjagan escaped from her and started to trouble the rishis. So as an answer to the prayer of rishis' Lord Narayana took the form of Narasimha once again and killed the demon. It is to be noted that Thaaragan and Thandagan was killed by Kaali during the period of Krishna avathar but Lord Narayana took the form of Narasimha which is 4th avathaar. So this Yazhinagar Narasimhar is very special.

In remembrance of Thanjakasuran this palce is called Tanjore Nagar, and the Thaayar Thanjai Naayaki.

The Vedas say that Lord Narayana would take any form at any time to protect his devotees. And the above case proves it. As the meaning of Vedas is explained here, the Vimaanam of this place is Vedasundara vimaanam.

The Vimaanam of Thanjai Maamani Koil is beautifully carved and hence gets it name Soundarya vimanam. And as the perumal stands as a hill of with a grace on glare of pearls and stones in Manikundra perumal Koil its vimanam has the Manikooda vimanam.

History and Significance

In Krutha Yuga, three Demons named Thanjagan, Thandagan and Gajamugan had put together underwent a sincere penance towards Lord Shiva. Pleased at the devotion, Lord Shiva gave them his Prathyaksham was asked for the boon what they were looking for. Asuras had asked him for a boon of immortality. Lord Shiva advised them that Sreeman Narayanan is the one and only preserver and he only would be in a position to offer this boon for them and assured them that there would not be to them.

After getting the great boon from Lord Shiva, the Asuras started troubling the entire universe and they also started harassing the entire Devas and Rishis. During that time there was a severe drought and famine in the whole universe. But surprisingly there was one and only place with enough food and water and that was Sage Parasar’s abode. By knowing this Asuras went down to Sage Parasar’s place and assaulted him. The Sage called Lord Vishnu to help him out. Finally Lord Paranthaman sent his Chakra and destroyed all the Demons, who were troubling everyone . Only these 3 Asuras were left. Lord Sreeman Narayan appeared before Thanjagan and beheaded him. At last Thanjagan realized all his mistakes and begged Lord to Pardon him. Pleased Lord Vishnu forgave all his blunders. Hence the place is known as Thanjagan oor and known as Thanjavur and Tanjore.

Second Demon Gajamugan took the form of Elephant and fought. Lord Vishnu then took the form of Lord Narsimham (Half Man and Half Lion) and killed the Demon. Regretted Gajamugan asked to pardon him. From that time the place where Gajamugan was killed is worshipped as Thanjai Yali Koil. (Yali means Elephant). The frightened third Demon Thandagan went down to Bhadhala Logam to escape. Lord took the form of Varaham (The Pig ) plunged into Bhadhala Logam and destroyed the Demon. The place where Thandagan killed has been known as Thandagaranyam. Lord Vishnu appeared as Bhuvaraha Murthi after beheaded Demon Thandagan is being worshipped as Sreemushnam. At last the Lord gave salvations to all three Demons.

Specials:

This Divyadesam is a collection of 3 temples each within a distance of about one mile. All the Three Perumals are in sitting posture and all the Three Utsavars are named as “Sriman Narayanan” only. The 3 Temples are

1. Thanjai Maamani Koil.

2. Thanjai Manikundra Perumal Koil.

3. Thanjai Yazhinagar Koil.

Architecture

The first of the three temples, the Maamanikkoyil enshrines Neelamegap perumaal in a sitting position facing east, and his consort is Senkamalavalli. Parasarar is said to have worshipped here. Furthermore here are shrines to Lakshmi Narasimhar and Lakshmi Hayagrivar. There is also an interesting image of Nartana Krishnar here.

The second temple is known as Manikkunram. Manikkunrapperumaal is enshrined here in a seated position, facing east. His consort is Ambujavalli. The theertham here is the Rama theertham and also the vimanam Manikkoota Vimanam. Markandeya is believed of having worshipped here.

The third is Thanjaiyali nagar, enshrining a seated picture of Narasimhar whose consort is Thanjai Nayaki. The theertham here is Surya Pushkarini, and also the vimanam Vedasundara Vimanam. Markandeyar is believed to have worshipped here. The Utsavar within these temples is known as Narayanan.

Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple go back to the time period of the Nayakas of Madurai. The Veda Sundara Vimanam over the Veerasinga Perumaal shrine is of great allure. These temples are administered by the Tanjavur palace.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in Sitting position facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Parasara Maharishi.

Thayaar:
The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Senkamalavalli.

Utsavar:
The Utsavar of this sthalam is Sriman Narayanan.

Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangaialwar – 3 Paasurams
Nammalwar – 1 Paasuram
Bhoodathalwar – 1 Paasuram.
Total – 5 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Amirtha Theertham.
Kannika Pushkarani.
Vennaru.

Vimanam:
Soundarya Vimaanam.