Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple,Tiruneermalai,Tamil Nadu

Sri Neervannaperumal Temple, Thiruneermalai is one among the 108 Divyadesams temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his various Avatars, found in Chennai near Tambaram (Thondai Nadu).

There are actually two temples for Perumal that form this Divyadesam – Neervanna Perumal temple at the bottom of the hill and Sri Ranganathar temple at the top of the hill. In this Sthalam, the Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (i.e.) – Neer Vanna Perumal standing (Nindra), Narasimha sitting (Iruntha), Ranganatha reclining (Kidantha)and Ulagalanda Perumal in walking postures (Nadantha).

This Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also called as “Thoyagiri Kshetram” and also as “Thothadri”. Thoya means “Water” and Adhiri means “Mountain” (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this sthalam is named as “Thiru Neermalai”. The temple has a beautiful Teppakulam-tank covering three acres with a Mandap at the centre. This is praised as Suddha Pushkarini, Ksheera Pushkarini, Karunya Pushkarini and Swarna Pushkarini.

Grishneshwar Temple, Daulatabad, Maharashtra

History
Puja Timings
Special Rituals
Festival
Temple Travel
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The legend is that when Valmiki prayed to have a Darshan of Lord Rama in the same form that he took during his marriage to Sita. As per the sage’s request, Perumal appeared in the form of Lord Rama along with Sita, Lakshman, Bharath and Shatrugan in this place. Since Lord Rama’s skin was blue and similar to the color of the surrounding water, he is called as Neervannar (In Tamil, neer means water and vannam means color).

It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as “Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram”.

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.

Devotees bathe in the tank for health and cure from illness and for a clear mind and worship Perumal. Devotees also seek child boon by placing cradles in a tree and for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam and special pujas to Perumal and offer vastras.

Thiruneermalai is famous for conducting marriages. Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam and Murukku are offered to the Lord as Prasadam.

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) are the important festivals celebrated in the temple.

By Road

This temple can be accessed by public transport from Pallavaram (About 6 km). Road access is also available through Chennai bypass service road (8 km from West Tambaram) as well as the recently completed Outer Ring Road.

By Rail

Nearest Railway station is Pallavaram (8 km)

By Air

Nearest airport is Chennai Meenambakkam (10 km)

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