Presiding Deity : Sri Neelamugilvannan
Goddess : Animamalarmangai
Holy Spring : Suddha Pushkarani
Place : Thiruneermalai
District: Chennai
Reputation of the place and temple:
There are questions and hesitation among the Vaishnavite devotees about keeping Lord Narasimha in the house for worship as he is branded as a God of fury. Many believe that Lord Narasimha will be calm only if he will be with his Consort called Mother according to Vaishnava philosophy. It is also said that even his choice devotee Prahlada trembled before him. The answer lies in the temple at Thiruneermalai where the Lord appears in all youth named Balanarasimha showering his blessings on the devotees. This is one of the 108 Divaya Desas of Vaishnava shrines.
The temple is built on a hill. There are two temples one at the foot of the hill, the other at the top. The Lord appears in four poses representing three of his incarnations.
In the temple at the foothill, Neervannaperumal appears as giving Darshan to Sage Valmiki. IN the temple at the top, he appears as Ranganatha, Trivikrama and Shanthanarasimha. According to the Vaishnava tradition, in the two temples, the Lord appears in standing, sitting, lying and walking positions.
Neervanna as Sri Rama is in the standing position. Sage Valmiki appealed for his Darshan saying that he had completed the Epic Ramayana on him and the Lord complied.
Thirumangai Azhwar, one of the 12 Azhwars of the Vaishnava School singing hymns only on the Lord, also sang on Mother Animamalarmangai. Reminding the Vamanavathara (Dwarf incarnation), the Lord is in the walking order asking where to place his third step after measuring all the worlds in two steps. Considering the appeal of boy Prahlada who was afraid of his fury, the Lord appears in a calm and pleasant mood as Shantanarasimha and also as Balanarasimha.
The Thousand tongued Adisesha spreading himself as a mattress and covering the top with his head as an umbrella, the Lord is also seen in this temple in a lying pose with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, known as Ranganatha.
The tank in the temple measuring 3 acres, very beautiful, is called Suddha Pushkarani, Ksheera Pushkarani, Swarna Pushkarani and Karunya Pushkarani. Devotees bathe in the tank for cure from illness. They also get clarity of thoughts and prosperity. People use to tie cradles in the trees in the temple seeking child boon. Ladies come round the hill for removal of obstacles in marriage matters.
General information:
The Pujas in the temple are performed in accordance with the Vaikanasa Agama rules. The daily puja time is 8.a.m. to 12.00 in the day and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Thiruneermalai is 4 kms from Chennai Pallavaram. Buses are available from Tambaram bus stand. Also one can reach Thiruneermalai by electric train from Egmore to Pallavaram and continue by bus. Nearest Railway station is Pallavaram and airport Chennai Meenambakkam.
Festivals:
10 days Brahmmotsavam in the Tamil month Chithirai (April-May), Vasanthotsavam (spring Festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), summer festival in Ani (June-July), Sani Pavithra Utsavam in Purattasi (September-October) is the important festival celebrated in the temple.
Next temple
