The Visit to this Sri Sempon Arangar temple also called as Per arulalaperumal Temple at Thiruchempnsey a part of Thirunangur was a part of Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Sirkazhi Visit on 1st & 2nd July 2023. This Sri Sempon Arangar Temple is one of the 11 temples of Thirunangur, under the Administrative control of – Thirunangur Ezhu Koil adheenam- திருநாங்கூர் ஏழு கோயில் ஆதீனம். Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar. In that Thirumangai alwar mentions this temple as Thiru Semponsei Temple.
திருச்சொம்பொன் செய்கோயில்
பேரணிந்து உலகத்தவர் தொழுதேத்தும் பேரருளாளன் எம்பிரானை
வாரணி முலையாள் மலர்மகளோடு. மண்மகளும் உடன் நிற்ப
சீரணி மாட நாங்கை நன்னடுவுள் செம்பொன்செய் கோயிலின் உள்ளே
காரணி மேகம் நின்றது ஒப்பானைக் கண்டு கொண்டு உய்ந்தொழிந்தேனே.
….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பெரிய திருமொழி 4-3-1
Moolavar : Sri Semponsei Arangar / Per Arulalan
Thayar : Sri Allimamalaral
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram base with Thiruman, Chankha and chakra. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Grudan sannidhi are in front of rajagopuram base. Moolavar Per Arulaalan is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Alwars are in the maha mandapam. Thayar Allimamalaral is in a separate temple facing east.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upanam like mada temple. An inner circuamabulation path is around the sanctum sanctorum, which is always kept closed. An Eka tala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam is called as Kanaka Vimanam. Maha Vishnu’s various avatars are in the greeva koshtam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple belongs to 07th to 08th century and may be reconstructed during Chozha period / Vijayanagara period and vavvalnethi mandapams are constructed during Maratha period.
Through Muralidhara Swamigal’s effort, Maha Samprokshanam was conducted after thirupani on 23rd November 2017, with the contributions from Kulandaivel Mudaliar of The Chennai silks,
The temple is being managed by the Thirunangur 7 temples Adheenam.
LEGENDS
As per the legend the 11 temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. After Datchayini jumped in to Dakshan’s Yaga kunda. Shiva took the body of Datchayini and danced furiously. Each time the jada mudi touches the ground, 11 forms of Shiva appeared. The Celestial deities afraid, that if Shiva’s dance continued, the entire creation will be ceased. So they requested Maha Vishnu to stop Shiva’s dance. On Seeing Maha Vishnu Shiva became normal and requested Maha Vishnu to appear 11 different forms at this place, Thirunangur. Maha Vishnu is also called as “Thamaraikannudiyabiran - the one with lotus eyes”.
This is the only temple where Maha Vishnu helped to construct this temple. Maha Vishnu is called in different names like Chempon Arangar, Per Arulalan, Herambar, etc,. Since Maha Vishnu is in Paramapadam, worshipped as Arulalan and Per Arulalan, when he is with us.
Kasiban of Kanchipuram losts his all wealth and was in a economically in poor state. Came to this temple, worshipped per Arulalan, reciting Om Nama Narayana mantra 32 thousand times in 3 days. Satisfied with his bhakthi, Maha Vishnu as Per Arulalan gave him all the wealths.
As per the legend, Rama on the way to Ayodhya after the war, in which Ravana was killed, came to this place. He stayed in Ithruda Nethra maharishi’s ashram. The Maharishi advised Ramar to do a penance staying inside a Golden Cow to get rid of Brahmahathi dosha. Rama made a big cow in Gold and did penance for 4 days. On the 5th day, Rama gave the cow as a gift to an Andhanar. The andhanar sold the Golden cow and built this temple. Hence the temple is called as “Semponsei temple”.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas conducted, as per Pancharathra agama, special poojas are conducted on, Maha Vishnu’s birth star Aippasi Swati Brahmotsavam, Thirumangai Alwar’s mangalasasana Utsavam ( New moon Day in the month of Thai- Thirumangai Alwar Utsavar will be brought from Thiruvali – Thirunagari ) and Garuda seva in the Tamil month Thai ( Jan – February ).
During Garuda Seva, all the 11 temple’s Utsavars on Garuda vahanam and Thirumangai Alwar with his consort Kumudavalli Nachiyar, on Hamsa Vahanam are taken to Sri Narayana Perumal’s temple also called as manimaada Koil and respective temple’s pasurams will be recited. After the Garuda Seva, Thirumangai Alwar with his wife Kumudavalli Nachiar will be taken to all the 1l divya desam temples of Thirunangur. The 11 Diva desams are, 1. Sri Narayana Perumal (Manimaadakkoil),2. Sri Kudamaadu koothar (Arimeya Vinnagaram), 3. Sri Semponarangar (Semponsei Koil), 4. Sri Pallikonda Perumaal (Thiruttetriambalam ), 5. Sri Annan Perumaal (Thiruvellakkulam), 6. Sri Purushothama Perumaal (Vanpurusothamam ), 7. Sri Varadarajan (Thirumanikoodam), 8. Sri Vaikuntha Nathar (Vaikuntha Vinnagaram), 9. Sri Madhava Perumaal (Thirudevanaar thogai), 10.Sri Partha sarathy (Thiruparthan palli) and 11. Sri Gopalan ( Thirukavalampaadi ).
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number +91 4364 236172 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 3 KM from Chennai – Nagapattinam High way, 10 KM from Sirkazhi, 26 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 31 KM from Chidambaram 247 KM from Chennai.
Nearest railway Station of Sirkazhi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
