Presiding deity: Thamarayalkelvan – Parthasarathy
Position Standing: facing west
Mother: Thamarai Nayaki
Holy water: Katkapushkarani
Vimanam (Tower) : Narayanavimanam
Place : Parthanpalli (Thirunangoor)
District: Nagapattinam
Praised by Mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Azhwar
History:
During their exile after losing their wealth and land to the Kauravas, Arjuna was searching for water in the forest to quench his thirst. He saw sage Agasthya in meditation having his Kamandala (water pot). He could not wait till he opened his eyes and disturbed his meditation and begged him water. He opened the pot with his permission but found not a drop of water in. He looked at the sage with confusion. The sage smiled and said that he ought to have approached Lord Krishna who was ever ready to help him any time.
Arjuna realized his mistake and prayed to Lord Krishna. The Lord appeared before him, gave him a knife and said wherever he dug with the knife there would be a spring giving him water. Arjuna got his thirst thus quenched. The place where this incident took place is called Parthanpalli according to scriptures.
Of the 108 Divyadesas Parthanpalli is one. The speciality of this temple is that Sri Rama appears here with two consorts, that could not be seen in other temples. Emperor Dasaratha performed the Aswamedha Yagna praying to Lord Narayana for children. He was sure that Lord Narayana himself would be his son and wanted to see the gift in advance. Lord Narayana appeared before Dasaratha with his two consorts. As it would not be possible to have such a dharsan during the Ramavatha period, Dasaratha was greatly delighted.
This rare scene is sculpted and kept in this temple. The Lord is just stepping out of the Yaga Gunda with his consorts. This is a very rare sculpture. Arjuna has also a shrine here.
The tower of the temple is 75 feet tall in three tiers with a majestic appearance. The procession deity Lord Parthasarathy holds a sword in the hand. Kolavalli Rama is next to the procession deity holding a bow.
General information:
Parthanpalli (Thirunangoor) is 11 Kms from Sirkali in Nagapattinam district. Buses are available from Sirkali. Temple phone No. 04364 – 275 478. Nearest railway station is Sirkali and airport Chennai.
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