Thiru Neermalai | Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple | Divya Desams - 061

About the Temple & Location:

This Divyadesam is one among the sthalams found in Thondai Nadu.

In this Sthalam, the Perumal is found is various positions as Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan and Nadanthaan Thirukkolam.

This Sthalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, Chengalpet District. We can reach the temple by travelling around 4 Kms from Pallavaram Railway Station, which is about 7 Kms from Chennai.

This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as “Thoyagiri Kshetram” and also as “Thothadri”. Thoya means “Water” and Adhiri means “Mountain” (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as “Thiru Neermalai”.

Specials:

The Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (ie) – Nindra, Iruntha, Kidantha and Nadantha Thirukkolmas.

It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as “Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram“.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Perumal gives his seva in four different positions.

Neervannar – Nindra Thirukkolam.
Lord Narasimhar – Irundha Thirukkolam.
Lord Ranganathar – Kidantha Thirukkolam.
Lord Thiruvikrama – Nadantha Thirukkolam.
The Neervannar is found in Nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing his Thirumugham towards East direction. He is also named as Neelamugil Vannan. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar.

Lord Ranganathar is found in Kidantha (lying) position facing his thirumugham towards South direction and the Sayana kolam is referred to as “Manicka Sayanam”. He is lying on the Aadhiseshan under Ranga Vimaanam.

Thaayar

The Thayaar of this sthalam is Animaa Malar Mangai and has her own separate Sannadhi.

According to Thirumangai Alwar, Thiruneer Malai is referred to:

Thirunaraiyoor Nindra Thirukkolam
Thiruvaali Narasiman (Irundha Thirukkolam)
Thirukudanthai Aarai Amuthai (Kidantha Thirukkolam)
Thirukoviloor Ulagalanthaan (ThiruVikrama kolam)
Thus, in Thiruneermalai Divyadesam, we can see all the four forms of the Perumal together.

In this temple, Muni Valmiki worshipped Eari Kidantha (Aranganathan), Iruntha (Narasimar), Nadantha (Thiruvikraman) Kola seva of the Perumal. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshman and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman.

Thiruneermalai Temple is on a small hillock and is said to be dated around 2000 years old according to scriptures found in the temple.

This divya desam is also called as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" and also as "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the hill was once surrounded by water, this place was named as "Thiru Neermalai".

It is said that once saint Thirumangai Alwar came here to have the dharshan of the Perumal. During that time, the hill was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Lord. After all the water drained, he went up the hill and worshipped the Perumal.

The Lord here shows his 4 sevas - Nindra(standing), Iruntha(sitting), Kidantha(lying) and Nadantha(striding) Thirukkolmas (poses).

At the adivaram (bottom) you can have the darshan of Neervannan (Neelamukilvannan) along with thayar Animamalar mangai. Prathyaksham (seva) for Thondaimaan, Brighu Munivar and Maarkandeyar.

Climbing the small hillock's 200 or so steps you can see the other three perumal sannidhis.

Sage Valmiki is said to have worshipped Aranganathan, Narasimar, Thiruvikraman here. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Ranganathan gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshmana and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha Chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman.

According to the scriptures in the temple, it is said that worshipping here is equivalant to have visited four divya desams Thirunaraiyoor,Thiruvaali,Thirukudanthai and Thirukovilur.

Here in this temple,there is a old peepal tree. Lord Ganesha, known here as Dhoomakethu Ganapathi, is seen along with Sapthakaanika's under this tree. Santhaana homam (homam performed praying for child), milk abhishekam on chathruthi day by the devotees. Dhoomam means "Rahu". If you worship this Ganapathi during rahu kaalam, it is believed that all the dosha's will be removed by praying to Lord Ganesha here.

The temple is revered by the verses of Thirumangai Alwar and Budhathalwar.

The holy tank here is one in form but is said to comprise of four theerthams. The Mahamaga tank in Kumbakonam is believed to be a confluence of 19 theerthams. Similarly here, four theerthams Siddha, Swarna, Karunya and Ksheera theertham confluence in this holy tank.

Temple Timings
The temple is open from 8:00 AM till 12:00 AM and from 4:00 pm till 7:30 pm

How to reach?

This place is 6 kms from the Pallavaram Railway station which itself can be easily accessed by suburban trains and buses. Plenty of local buses, taxis , autos are available from Pallavaram bus stand.

If you are driving, the roads are well laid and 6 kms away from the GST road and also via the outer ring road.

Mangalasasanam:

Thirumangai Alwar – 19 Paasurams
Bhudathalwar – 1 Paasuram
Total – 20

Pushkarani:

Kshri includes Karunya, Sidha and Swarna Pushkarani.
Kshri Pushkarani for Kidantha Perumal.
Karunya Pushkarani for Nindra Perumal.
Sittha Pushkarani for Ulagalantha Perumal.
Swarna Pushkarani for Veetruntha Paramapatha Emperuman.
The Pushkarani is found along with the Neerazhi Mandapam.

In Kulakarai, Vasantha Mandapam is found.

Vimanam:

Ranga Vimaanam – Sri Ranganathar.
Santha Vimaanam – Lord Narasimhar.
Thoyagiri Vimaanam – Ulagalantha Perumal.