Presiding deity : Deivanathan, Vanamamalai (Thotharinathan)
Mother : Varamangai Thayar
Holy tree : Mango tree
Holy spring : Setruthamarai (Lotus in the mud)
Vimanam – tower : Nandavardana Vimanam
Place : Nanguneri
District: Tirunelveli
Mangalasasanam: by Nammalwar
Those who had the darshan of the Lord were Brahamma, Indira, King of Sindhu, Garuda, Urvasi and Thilothama.
History:
A bad odour from the bodies of the demons Madhu and Kaidaba killed by Lord Vishnu enveloped the entire earth. The purity of the earth was much polluted. Mother earth suffering from the bad odour performed penance from this soil and got purified. The Lord appeared before Mother earth in the same form as he is in Vaikunda.
The place is surrounded by 4 lakes. Hence the name Nangu Eri-Nanguneri. Almost in all temples, there would be only one Swambumurthy but in Nanguneri there are 11, Sridevei, Bhoodevi, Sun, Moon, Bruhu rishi, Markandeya, Urvasi, Thilothama and Garuda and Vishvaksenar. This is a unique feature of this temple.
Of the 8 temples where Perumala is a Swayambu Murthi in India, the temple in Badrinath in North is covered by fog and could not be visited for worship. In Nanguneri, the Swayambu Perumal can be worshipped throughout the year. The other significance of the temple is that the Lord is appearing in a Durbar with his consorts Sridevei and Bhudevi.
The Lord’s one hand is showing his feet, telling the devotee whose thoughts are centred at his feet would have a place on his lap. His hand has a Parathyega Chakra symbol and those who have the luck of seeing the symbols would have no enemies at all.
The Lord in the temple is bathed in gingely oil each day and the oil is saved in a well here. Those suffering from skin diseases use to apply the oil in their body and consume a few drops for cure. Then they buy the oil from the temple stores and offer it for abishek.
The Mother Goddess idol which was originally in the Tirupathi temple was brought here then. The story goes that Thirupati Perumal appeared in the dram of Senior Jeer of the temple and told him that the Varagunamangai Thayar belonged to the Perumal of Nanguneri and directed him to take the bride there.
The headquarters of the Vanamamalai Jeer is in the Nanguneri temple. The sadari (bearing the feet of the lord) also has the face of the Jeer.
Festivals:
The Brammotsavam elebrated in the month of Chithirai (April-May) is an important festival of the temple The puja time is 7.00 a.m. to 12.a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
General information:
All buses from Tirunelveli to Nagercoil pass through Nanguneri. The temple is in the heart of the place. Nearest railway station is Valliyur and airport Thoothukudi.
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