Thirukkurungudi | Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal Temple | Divya Desams - 078

About the Temple & Location:

This sthalam is situated in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu.

Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal Temple is located at Thirukkurungudi town of Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu . Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal Temple revered as one of the 108 Divya Desam temples, dedicated to Lord Vishnu..

By Road

Thirukkurungudi has an extensive transport network and is well-connected to other major cities by road. Distance is 45 km from Tirunelveli, 15 km from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 km from Valliyoor.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Thirukkurungudi Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal temple is Tirunelveli train station Junction which is 35 Km from Thirukkurungudi.

By Air The nearest airport to Thirukkurungudi Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal temple is Thiruvananthapuram International airport, Thiruvananthapuram which is 71 Km from Thirukkurungudi

Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal temple is also called Vamana Shetram and Dakshina Bhadri. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal (Lord Vishnu) also called Lord Sri Sundara Paripooranan. There are five different idols of Nambi (Vishnu), personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace, found in this temple. They are:

Nindra Nambi (Standing posture) , Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi, Thirumalai Nambi

The other deities of the Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal Temple are Goddess Sri Kurungudi Valli Thaayaar, Lord Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi, Goddess Andal, Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lord Gnanapiran, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kalabhairavar, Lord Mahendra Girinadhar ( Lord Shiva), Azhwars and Acharyas. Sri Nindra Nambi Perumal temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, and the Paasurams (devotional songs) are sang by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai azhwar, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai azhwar.

Sthlapuranam :

This kurungudi sthalam is also called as “Vaamana kshetram”, who is one of the avatharam of Sriman Narayanan, born in Purattasi month – Sukla patsham in Sravana Thuvadasi for Kaasyabha Maharishi and Athithi. The dhuvadasi in which he was born is Vijaya dhuvadasi.

He was teached the Savithri mantram by Suryan and Vyazha Guru Brihaspati taught him the Brahma Soothiram. Since Vaamanar was born to the Maharishi, his clothes and all the activities were the same as how a rishi should be. He got the Dharbai from his father – Kaashyaba Maharishi Bhoomi (or) earth gave krishna Aasanam, Chandran gave him the Thandi, (Which is used as a support for the hand), Athithi gave Kaupeenam (Clothes) Brahma devan gave the Kamandalam, some vessels given by Guberan and Bharadhwaja Maharishi was his Guru and teaches him all the vedas. Parasakthi gave him food with her thirukkaram (hand) when he begged for food.

In Spite of taking the thrivikraman – ulagalandha perumal Kolam, Vaamanar is giving his seva as a short muni in this sthalam. Because of this, this sthalam is called “Kurungudi”.

When Siva peruman got his brahmahathi dosham by plucking the head of Brahma devan, came to this sthalam and as advised by the Nindra Nambi, to get out of the dosham, he begged from Kurungudi Valli Thayar for Amudham (food) to get out of the dosham as pabha Vimocchanam. And after this, he learnt the Sudarshana Japam from Vaamanar and got completely out of the Dosham.

By this sthala perumal’s Kurungudi Nambis seva only, Nammalvar born to his mother, Udaya Nangai. Thirumangai alwar got his Mukthi (attained paramapadham) in this sthalam and as a memory of this, a small temple is constructed with the name “Thirumangai Alwar Thiru varasu” in the banks of the river, which is towards the east direction of the temple.

“Nambu” means believe and “Nambi” means believed by all. As the name of the perumal, Nindra Nambi, he is believed and devoted by all the bhaktaas. Like Narayanan who gives his seva in Nindra, Kidantha and Irundha thirukkolam, Siva perumaan also gives his seva as Siva linga Swaroopan in Nindra Kolam as a dancing person. Thirukkayilai and as Thiruthaandava Kolam as a dancing person. Like the same way, Sivaperuman when came to meet and get the darshan of Nambi perumal, he met him and got the Vimochan of the pabham. As a result of this, a separate sannadhi for Lord Shiva as “Magendranadhar”, who is found in between Kidantha Nambi and Iruntha Nambi perumal sannadhi.

Nearer to Kurungudi, there lived a valla paanan (musician) who wanted to worship Kurungudi Nambi on shukla patcha Ekadesi. Once, he came along the way to Kurungudi, a Brahma Raatshashan (a wild demon) was very hungry and happened to see this paanan. It said to him that since he is very hungry, he is going to eat his food. But paanan replied that he is going to Kurungudi to get the darshan of Kurungudi Nambi and after getting that, he can eat him. After getting the words from him, the demon asked him to go and will wait until he comes.

The paanan after reaching Kurungudi, stood in front of the Kurungudi temple vaasal (entrance) In Spite of the Dhavasthambham (Kodi Maram) screened the perumal without seeing it, the paanan started to sing on him, forgetting all things around him. After hearing this, the Kodimaram, which was in front of him, made a way to the paanan, so that he could see the Nambi perumal. He sang the Paasurams of Nammalwar with some musical way in it.

After getting satisfied on the Baanan’s devotion and his devotional songs, Kurungudi Nambi gave his seva to him and gave him the title as “Nampaaduvaan”. Nam Paaduvaan can be explained as that the song was sung about the perumal and paanan was singing it and from now he should sing always on him. And to extend this, he was gave the title as “Nampaaduvaan” by the perumal itself.

After getting the darshan and getting the title from Kurungudi Nambi, the Paanan went straight to the Raatshashan and asked him that now he can eat him as his food. The demon asked what he sang on the perumal? As the paanan started to explain it, the demon hearing it forgot all of its hunger and let the paanan free. In Spite of being so wild, the paasurams of perumal went along the Ears of the demon and filled not only the stomach of it but also the entire heart and body of the Raatshashan. And the perumal asked paanan to give the Paasuram to the Raatshashan so that he will not suffer from hunger anymore and he gave him the paasuram. This story is well explained in Varaha Puranam. This story is played as a small drama during Kausika Ekadesi.

The prasaadham (food) which is done the Naivedhyam (offered) for the perumal is offered for Lord shiva of this temple. On entering the temple, a big Mattaiyadi Mandapam is found and we can also see another Mandapam, Nadhi Mandapam. After crossing, the kodi maram is found, with lots of rare sculptures in it. Next to the mandapam, we find the sannadhi of Manavala Mamunigal. A hanging bell can be found in Kulasekara Mandapam which is offered by a king of Thiruvidhangodu to the Nambi perumal. Moolavar Nindra Nambi is also named as “Pari pooranan” and found along with two pirattiyaars, Markandeya Maharishi and Brighu Maharishi in Nindra kola seva.

Next to him, we can find the Vainava Nambi, the utsavar along with two pirattis, Neela Devi and Kurungudi valli thayar.

On the south praharam of this temple, a separate sannadhi for Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lakshmi Sametha varaha Moorthy and in west prakaram – all ten Avatars, Dasavathaar, Srinivasa perumal Andal and Kurungudi Valli Thayar Sannadhi are found.

Also separate sannadhi for Nindra Nambi, Veetrirundha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi.

Close to the Nambi’s legs, the head of the Mahabali is found. The Irundha Nambi is also named as “Vaikundhanadhan”. 5 Kms after this sthalam, Malaimel Nambi is found on the top of the mountain. Kurungudiyavan kudi is the other name for Vaamanar of this sthalam and he is found on a small Chattiram, 1/2 miles in the south direction. 1/2 miles away a small river named “Thiruppaarkadal” is found, where Thriuppaarkadal Nambi Sannadhi is found.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolvar of this Divyadesam is Sri Nindra Nambi. Also called Kurungudi Nambi, Irundha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi, Vaishnava Nambi, Thiruppaarkadal Nambi and Malaimel Nambi. Moolavar in Nindra Thirukkolam giving his seva and facing his thirumugam in east direction. Pratyaksham for Lord Shiva.

Thaayar: Kurungudi valli Naachiyaar. Two separate sannadhi for two pirattis.

Mangalasasanam:

Periyalwar – 1 Paasuram

Thirumazhisai Alwar – 1 Paasuram

Nammalwar – 13 Paasurams

Thirumangai Alwar- 25 Paasurams
Total – 40

Pushkarani:

Thiruppaarkadal
Panjadurai

Sindu Nadhi.

Pooja Timings - The temple remains open in the morning from 6.30 AM to 12.00 noon and in the evening from 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM.

Festivals

Panguni Brahmostavam – March/April, Vaikundha Ekadashi – December/January, Chithirai Vasanthostavam – April/May

Vaikasi Jyeshtabishekam – May/June, Navaratri – September/October , Float Festival – January/February

Vimanam:

Panja Kedhaka Vimaanam.