Tiruneermalai Neervanna Perumal Temple (Thondai Nadu)
Location
This temple is located just a few km west of the Chennai inner ring road, Chennai. It is very accessible from Tambaram.
Sthalapuranam
The sage Valmiki came down to this hill after worshipping the three forms of Lord Ranganatha, Lord Nrusimha and Lord Trivikrama feeling dissatisfied because he could not worship Lord Rama there. The Lord heard his thoughts and appeared in the form of Lord Rama along with His brothers and Lord Anjaneya at the foot of the hill.
The sage begged the Lord to give him His grand ‘darshan’ like this till the end of time for His devotees and the Lord agreed. The place was known as Kandabavanam before Tirumangai Alwar came here. On his arrival he found that the hill was surrounded by water and he was unable to get the ‘darshan’ and so stood on a nearby hill called Mandragiri to watch.
It became Tiruneermalai because of the water. After six months Thirumangai Alwar was able to get the ‘darshan’ and went away.
Click here for the Temple location (Google Maps)
Special Features
The temple is in two parts – one atop a hill and the other at ground level.
The Divya Desam has the Lord in all forms–
- resting (Ranganatha),
- sitting (Nrusimha),
- standing (Neervannan) and
- walking (Trivikrama).
The Lord on the ground level is Neervannan and the Universal Mother is Animaa-Malar-Mangai. The theertham is ‘Maniokarnika Teertham.
The Vimana is Toyagiri Vimana. Lord Rama was considered as Kalyana Rama appearing in His form before the exile with Sita and His brothers there. This was one of the eight ‘swayamvyakta- kshetrams.’
Mangalasasanam
Tirumangai Alwar in his Peria Tirumozhi (1078-1087) says in summary that the Lord can be seen in various towns and temples in all forms. All of them can be seen in one place and that is Tiruneermalai.
The Alwar said: ‘You joined with Napinnai who is the flower of her race, and with Animaamalarmangai, you joined happily with Mahalakshmi who is resident on a lotus. You destroyed the race of rakshasas without mercy. You stood, rested and sat in many places which can be seen at Tiruneermalai.
Kandavanam was a forest exclusively created for Indra. You encouraged it to be consumed by Agni. You also eliminated the burden on Mother Earth by initiating the Bharata war. You also destroyed Hiranya to protect Prahladha. You started from Vamana stature and became Trivikrama. You reside at Tiruneermalai.’
Bhuthath Alwar says in Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi (2228) referring to Tiruneermalai indirectly that He was the one who playfully measured the world with His feet. He is also the same Lord who picked the world up on the tip of His tusk. During the Pralaya, he held the world in His stomach and brought it forth during creation.
He saved us all and protected us all. When an individual devotee was threatened, He came as Lord Nrusimha and protected His devout devotee Prahalada.
Let us worship with garlands at His feet early in the morning every day and obtain His graceful blessings.
Click here for the complete list of 108 Divya Desams.
