STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
TAMIL NADU
near Kumbakonam
Thirunaaraiyur
- Naachiyaarkovil
Thirunaaraiyur,
about 10 km from Kumbakonam is famous for the Naachiyaarkovil. The Vishnu
Shrine here is dedicated to Lord Srinivasa. A rare feature is, the Garuda
Vaahanam made of stone. The divine consort is Naachiyaar or Vanjulavalli
Thaayaar.
The unique
feature of this temple is that main importance is given to Thaayaar &
Peria Thiruvadi Garudaazhwar.
Medaavi maharishi
prayed to have Mahalakshmi as his daughter. In order to grant his
wish, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared as a child near a Vanjula creeper.
The maharishi named the child Vanjulavalli. When his daughter grew
up into a beautiful maiden, he started looking for a groom. Garudazhwar
led Lord Srinivasa Perumal to the Maharishi, who set certain conditions
for the Lord to marry his daughter. He asked that his daughter should
always get the prime importance, the place should be named after her and
that the Lord should marry only his daughter and bless devotees at this
sthalam with a happy wedded life. The Lord agreed to all these conditions,
married Vanjulavalli Thaayaar and gives darshan in Thirumana Kolam.
All rituals such as Thirumanjanam, purappaadu (procession) begin with Thaayaar
and the temple is known by her name as Naachiyaar Koil.
The Gurada
vaahanam in this temple, while in procession can be carried by four people
in the first sannadhi. But by the time they reach the temple entrance,
the weight keeps increasing & 64 people are needed to carry it.
Devotees find that there is perspiration on his body during the procession.
The same difference in weight can be witnessed during the return journey.
He gets lighter progressively, so that finally only four people are required
to carry him to the sannadhi.
Garudaazhwar
is seen wearing snakes as his ornaments. There are nine snakes in
all adorning his form.
Kuligan -
bangle in his right hand
Thiruvalanthazhvaan
- left hand
Vaasuki -
sacred thread
Dakshan -
waist band
Karkodagan
- garland
Padman - right
ear ring
Mahaapadman
- left ear ring
Kuligan -
head dress
Apart from
these eight snakes, there is a ninth snake adorning his sword.
There is also
a sannadhi for Chakrathaazhwar. There is a belief that this idol
was given to Medaavi Maharishi by the Lord while bathing.
Naachiyaarkovil
is the birthplace of Nambi Aandaar Nambi. Among the important festivals
are Thirukalyaanam (Aug – Sept), Mukkodi Utsavam (Dec – Jan) and Brahmotsavam
(March – April). The main feature of Mukkodi Utsavam is the Garuda Seva
on the 4th day when the stone idol of Garuda is taken out in a procession
carrying Lord Srinivasa.
During Garudasevai,
the Lord is seated on the stone Garudan & Naachiyaar on Anna Vaahanam.
(also listed under 108 Vaishnava
Divya Desangal - Thiru
Naraiyur in Chola Naadu).
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