Presiding deity : Vaikundanathar, Thamaraikannan
Vimanam (Tower) : Ananthasatya Varthaga Vimanam
Holy spring : Lakshmi Pushkarani, Utharanga Pushkarani, Viraja
Sung by Mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Azhwar
Place : Vaikunda Vinnagaram (Thirunangoor)
District : Nagapattinam
Maharshi Udhanga and Uparisaravasu had the darshan of the Lord in this shrine.
History:
Swathakethu, belonging to the Ikshvahu heritage in which Lord Rama was born was very righteous and loved all beings and was true devotee of the Lord. He and his wife yearned for the darshan of the Lord in his own Abode, Vaikunda.
Completing all his political duties as a king, he set out to perform penance along with his wife Damayanthi. They made a round of fire around them, stood standing looking at the Sun and continued the penance for long days and shed their mortal remains and reached Vaikunda to meet the Lord. To their disappointment, the Lord was not there. Devarishi Naradha told them that despite their severe penance, they could not see the Lord in His Abode, because they did not do great worship during their life in the earth, failed to do charities and performed no pujas for the Lord. Hence the failure.He advised them to worship Iravadeswarar in Earth on the banks of Cauvery and appeal to him for his darshan. Swethaketu and Damayanthi meticulously followed Narada’s advice. Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said that He too was waiting for the Darshan of the Lord. Udhanga Maharshi also joined the group. Lord Vishnu, along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhudevi gave Darshan to all the four. Iravadeswarar appealed to Lord Vishnu that the spot where they had His Darshan be called Vaikunda Vinnagaram and his name Vaikundanathar. The Lord granted their boon. Mother Goddess also came to be known as Vaikundhavalli.
This is one of the 108 Divyadesas. Generally, a devotee can get into the Vaikunda above only after his/her lifetime but here is Vaikunda available readily before the devotee while he/she is alive on earth. As the Lord graces the devotees, Thirunangur is equal to His Vaikunda above. Puja time is 7.00 to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 to 7.00 p.m.
Thirunangur is 7 kms south of Sirkali. One would have to take the Thirunangur-Sirkali bus and get down at Annankoil stop. Then walking a kilometer, the devotee can reach Vaikunda Vinnagaram. Temple contact No. 04364 – 275 478. Nearest Railway Station is Sirkali and the airport Chennai, Trichy.
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