Tiruttankaal Temple

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Tiruttankal near Srivilliputtur (Virudunagar)
(
Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Ninra Narayanan,
Taayaar: Senkamala Taayaar
Theertham:Papavinasa Theertham
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar
Vimaanam:.Somachanda Vimanam
Travel Base:Tirunelveli
Description This Divyadesam is located in Tiruttankaal on the Virudunagar Tenkasi railroad at a distance of 3 km from Sivakasi. (Tiruttankaa enshrining Deepaprakasa Perumaal is located in Kanchipuram).

Deities: There are two temples here. In the hill temple the Moolavar is Ninra Narayanan, in a standing posture facing east, while the Utsavar is Tankaalappan. Enroute to the hill temple is a cave temple enshrining Ranganathar or Pallikonda Perumaal.

Taayaar sannidi is in the 2nd level of the hillock while Perumaal's temple is situated on the hillock.Taayaar here is Senkamalattaayar in her own sanctum in a standing posture. Taayaar is also known by the names Anna Nayaki, Ananta Nayaki, Amrita Nayaki and Jambavati. To Perumaal's right is Sree Devi (Anna Nayaki), while to his left are Bhu Devi (Amrita Nayaki) and Jambavati. In the sanctum are images of Markandeya, Garudan, Arunan, Viswakarma, Bhudevi and Sridevi, Niladevi, Usha, Anirudhan and Bhrigu Muni. The temple at ground level enshrines Tirukkolapperumaal. The image of Garuda is portrayed bearing a serpent and a pot of nectar.

Legend has it that Ranganathar of Srirangam resided here, enroute to Srivilliputtur (hence the name Tiruttangal).Legend also has it that there was a conflict between Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and Nila Devi as to who was superior. Sri Devi left her abode and settled down at Tiruttankaal, as Arunakamala Mahadevi and was worshipped by one and all. She meditated upon Vishnu desiring that he be with her. Vishnu answered her prayers; Bhu Devi and Nila Devi followed. Legend also has it that Krishna killed the demon Banasuran, and his daughter Usha married Krishna's grandson Anirudhan here.

Festivals: Worship services are offered first to Taayaar and then to Perumaal. Four services are offered each day. Oonjal festival is celebrated each Friday in the Taayaar shrine. In the month of Chittirai, the Pournami Utsavam is celebrated for five days. Festival image of Perumaal is taken on a horse mount to neighboring villages then. The 10 day Vasantotsavam is celebrated in Vaikasi. Krishna Jayanti, Pavitrotsavam, Garuda sevai in Purattasi, Navaratri, Kartikai deepam, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Koorattalwar Tirunaal, and Pankuni Tirukkalyanam are celebrated here. On the fifth day of Aadi Pooram, Perumaal is taken in procession to Srivilliputtur.

The temple: The vimanam here is of great beauty and is known as the Somachanda vimanam (as in Azhagar Koyil). Inscriptions from the 11th century are seen here, although much of the construction here is a result of recent renovations. On the other side of the hill is a rock cut temple enshrining Karunelli Naathar (Shiva) and Meenakshi with shrines to Vinayakar, dakshinamurthy, Natarajar, Sivakami, Subramanyar, Suryan and Chandran. This temple dates back to the 13th century.

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