(All parts of the Thirunangur Eleven)
Location – As it can be seen from the map, these Divya Desams are located at a distance of 150 km east of Srirangam and close to the town of Mayiladuthurai. These are the 6th, 7th and 8th of Divya Desams of the Thirunangur Eleven.
THIRUKAVALAMPADI
Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple
Sthalapuranam:
The Legend is that when Satyabhama wanted Indra’s ‘parijatha’ tree after slaying Narakasura, Indra refused. Lord Krishna forcibly brought the parijathas to the earth from Indra’s garden. Lord Krishna, one of the ten forms of Lord Vishnu, settled here as the place is full of ‘parijatha’ trees.
Special Features
The Lord here is Gopala Krishna or Rajagopalan and the Universal Mother is Madavaral Nangai or Satyabhama. The ‘Vimana’ is ‘swayambu’ or Vedamoda ‘vimana’ and the ‘theertham’ is Tadamalar Poigai. The utsavar holds a scepter and so it is considered a royal posture. This Lord also participates in the joint Garuda Sevai on Thai Amavasya Day.
Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple, Click here for Google Maps Location
Mangalasasanam
Thirumangai Alwar has sung about this Divya Desam in his Periya Thirumozhi (1298 -1307). Alwar addresses the Lord as the prompt protector of Gajendra when the elephant appeals to Him for help by reciting His name. He is a resident of Thirukavalampadi which is in Thirunangur filled with well-to-do Brahmins. Alwar appeals to him for protection.
He identifies the Lord as the same one who killed Vaali with a single arrow in the chest and made his friend Sugreeva the king. He is the resident of the temple in Kavalampadi where jack fruit and mango trees are found in plenty of dripping honey. Alwar appeals to him for protection.
He gives the Sthalapuranam in another pasuram and says that Indra himself created Kavalampadi and that the Lord is the resident in the temple and appeals to Him all his sufferings till the end.
THIRUARIMEYAVINNAGARAM
Sthalapuranam
Lord Krishna carried the Govardhana hill as an umbrella to protect the people from the hailstorm sent by Indra. So the Divya Desam is called Kudia-adum-kuthan which over time came to be known as Kudamadumkuthann Koil. Very few know the name Arimeyavinnagaram. The word means the place where Hari has willingly stayed.
Special features
The Lord is known as Kudamadukoothar. The Universal Mother is known as Amritakatavalli Thaayar. The ‘vimana’ is Uchasringa and the ‘theertham’ is ‘Amrutha’ or ‘Koti Theertham.’ This Lord also participates in the joint Garuda Sevai on Thai Amavasya Day every year.
Mangalasasanam
Thirumangai Alwar has sung about this Divya Desam in Periya Thirumozhi (1238-1247). Alwar instructs his foolish heart to worship the Lord of the Divya Desam who with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side dispels all the ailments of his devotees.
He is served by Nitya ‘suris’ always. He is the Lord who holds the discus to kill Narakasura. He is the same Lord who has installed Mandhara hill and churned the Ocean of Milk to get ‘amrut’ for Devas.
For the Alwar is like an incomparable jewel and the nectar itself. He is a resident of Arimeyavinnagaram. He has drawn the life of the she-demon Puthana who has come with evil intentions. He consumes curds and butter. Located on the banks of Kaveri which pushes sandalwood etc in its waters, the Lord resides in the temple in Arimeyavinnagaram.
THIRUVANNPURUSHOTAMAM
Sthalapuranam
The Lord appeared as Rama to Thirumangai Alwar. He is considered the perfect type of being. Hence, He is called Purushottaman. It is the name of the Divya Desam.
When Vyagrapaada came here with his child Upamanyu, he went hunting for flowers for his prayers. The child cried. The Lord encouraged by the Universal Mother appeared to the child and gave him milk from Thiruparkadal.
Special Features
The Lord is Purushotamana and the Universal Mother is Purushotamanayaki. The ‘vimana’ is Sanjeevagraha and the ‘theertham’ is Thiruparkadal ‘theertham.’ The ‘murthi’ of Perumal is very handsome to look at.
Mangalasasanam
Thirumangai Alwar has sung about this Divya Desam in Peria Thirumozhi (1258- 1267). Alwar addresses the Lord of this Divya Desam as one who built the bridge across the ocean to reach Lanka and slayed the ten-headed Ravana with his arrows. He made Vibhishana king of Lanka. The temple is surrounded by jackfruit, banana and mango trees.
He is the Lord who kicked Sakatasura with His divine feet and who defeated Shiva during the battle with Banasura. He further cut off all Bana’s shoulders. He sits in the temple in a parklike setting.
He is the Lord who released Shiva from the curse he was suffering from. He sits amidst palm and coconut trees which drop their nuts on to the ponds scaring fish to swim away.
