| Description This Divya
Desam is located near Kalakkad (near Nanguneri) in Tirunelveli district and is also known as Vamana Kshetram. This
is the shrine where Tirumangaialwar attained salvation. Deities:
Azhagiya Nambi (also known as Kurunkudi Nambi, Irunda Nambi, Vaishnava Nambi,
Tirupparkadal Nambi, Malai Mel Nambi) in a standing posture facing east. Taayaar here is
Kurunkudivalli Naachiyaar. There are shrines to Ninra Nambi and Kidanda Nambi. There is a
shrine to Shiva in between these two shrines in front of the Irunda Nambi shrine. There is
also a shrine to Kalabhairava. Irunda Nambi is referred to as Vaikuntha Nathan.
There is a small shrine to Tirupparkadal Nambi on the banks of a creek by name
Tirupparkadal. Atop a hill at a distance of about 10km is the Malaimel Nambi shrine.
Legend has it that Vishnu in the disguise of a disciple, obtained Sree
Vaishnava initiation from his beloved devotee Ramanunacharya and hence the name Vaishnava
Nambi.
Legend also has it that Shiva obtained alms from Tirukkurunkudivalli (Lakshmi), in the
skull of Bhrama's fifth head, which had gotten stuck to his palms, after he had removed it
from Bhrama's self. Vishnu is said to have taught the Sudarshana Mantram to Shiva at this
shrine. This legend here is the same as that held at the Harasaapavimochana Perumaal
temple at Tirukkandiyur and and at Bhikshandar
Koyil (Tirukkarambanur) in Chola Nadu.
There are several other colorful legends associated with this temple. Vishnu in the
guise of a hunter is believed to have guided a Rakshasan and a Bhramanan to salvation.
It is also believed that Nammalwar was born through the grace of Vaishnava Nambi at
Kurunkudi, commemorating which there is no image of Nammalwar here. Worship is offered
spot at which Tirumangaialwar attained moksham. It is believed that this is the last of
the shrines that Tirumangaialwar had visited and composed verses in praise of.
The name Kurunkuti arises from the legend that Vishnu in his varaaha avataram, shrunk
his form prior to taking abode here. It is also believed that the river Silambaaru was
created from the anklet of Vamana.
The flagstaff is not in line with a sanctum and is associated with the legend of its
miraculous moving to the side to facilitate a devotee to have a vision of the deity from
outside of the sanctum. This incident is enacted in temple plays here.
The temple: This temple covering an area of 18 acres has five
prakarams, and is surrounded by a massive wall, crowned with a five tiered gopuram. The
Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayaks of Madurai
have made several endowments to this temple, which boasts of several exquisite sculptures.
Mention must be made of depictions of Gajendramoksham, Gopi Vastrapaharanam, Trivikrama
Avataram etc. and others such as one of four horses sharing a common head.
The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Pankuni. |
