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Divya Desam is a vast beautiful temple, in the town of Nagappattinam. Also in
Nagappattinam is the Vitanka Stalam
Naagaikkaronam sung by the Tevaram hymns. Deities: The
Moolavar is Neelamegapperumaal in a standing posture facing east; there are also shrines
of Govindaraja Perumal (Veetrirunda Perumal) and Ranganathar in a reclining posture. There
is a rare bronze image of Narasimhar, shown in the gesture of blessing Prahladan, and
vanquishing Hiranyakasipu at the same time. The Utsavar here is Soundaryarajan.
Legend has it that Vishnu was worshipped by Nagarajan here, as in the
Shivastalam Naagaikkaaronam.
Legends related to this temple are referenced in the Bhrahmaanda puraanam.
Legend has it that it was decreed that the third breast of a local princess would
disappear upon her sightiing her groom to be. This princess sighted Nagarajan offering
worship to Vishnu here at Nagappattinam, and married him, and that Vishnu appeared in
front of the couple in three different postures, as seen in the temple and blessed them.
Legend has it that Dhruva the son of the king Uttanapada performed severe penances
towards Vishnu; Dhruva enchanted by the presence of Vishnu on his Garuda mount in a
stunning form. It is this form that is revered as Soundarya raja Perumal, the processional
deity.
This temple with 3 prakarams has a 7 tiered Rajagopuram which was
constructed by during the period of Dutch occupation here. The bronze image of Ashtabhuja
Narasimhar here is said to be of great beauty. A mango tree constitutes the stala vriksham
here. There are shrines to Ranganathar, Srinivasa, Andal, Rama.
Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day here in the
Pancharatra Agama protocol. The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Pankuni;
Vaikuntha ekadasi and Aadi Pooram are other festivals of importance here.
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