The Heritage visit to this Sri Nanmathiya Perumal Temple at Thalachangadu was a part of “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”, organised by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05th and 6th March 2022. Thanks to V Ramachandran, Tahasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples. This place was called as Thali Sanga nanmadhiyam, which was got corrupted to the present name of Thalachangadu.
This is one of the 108 Divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai alwar in his periya thirumozhi.
கண்ணார் கண்ணபுரம் கடிகை கடிகமழும்
தன்னார் தாமரைசூழ் தலைச்சங்க மேல் திசையுள்
விண்ணோர் நான்மதியை விரிகின்ற வெஞ்சுடரை
கண்ணாடரக் கண்டு கொண்டு களிக்கின்றதின்
கென்று கொலோ... ( 1736 பெரியதிருமொழி 8-9-9 )
மன்னுமணிமாடக்கோயில் மணாளனை
நல்நீர்த் தலைச்சங்கநான்மதியை.. ( பெரிய திருமடல் 132 )
.... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்
Thirugnanasamandar also mentions this place Thalaisangai in his hymns on Thalachangadu Shiva temple.
நலச்சங்க வெண் குழையும் தோடும் பெய்தோர் நால்வேதம்
சொலச்சங்கை இல்லாதீர் சுடுகாடு அல்லால் கருதாதீர்
குலைச் செங்காய்ப் பைங் கமுகின் குளிர்கொள் சோலைக்குயிலாலும்
தலைச்சங்கைக் கோயிலே கோயிலாகத்தாழ்ந்தீர்.
.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Moolavar : Sri Nanmathiya Perumal
Utsavar : Sri Vensudar Perumal
Thayar : Sri Thalai Sanga Nachiyar / Chengamalavalli
Some of the salient features of this temple are …..
The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images Maha Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the top of the arch. Periya Thiruvadi and Siriya Thiruvadi with poorna kumbham are below that. Moolavar in the sanctum is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavar with his consorts are in front of moolavar.
Lakshmi and Narashimahar are in the mandapam facing North. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s dasavatharam images are inside the Vavval nethi mandapam. In the praharam Thayar Thalai Sanga Nachirar, Hanuman, Garudalwar, Andal and Senai mudhalvar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. Mukha mandapam centre portion is of vavval nethi / Vandikoodu mandapam may be constructed during Maratha period.
The Mukha mandapam can be accessed from both sides with 7 steps. The Sanctum sanctorum is on the lower level. Since Lover level is not visible ( filled with construction ) and upper level Jagathi is only Visible.The upper level is on a pratibandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, vrutha kumudam and Viyyalavari. The Bhitti starts with vedigai. The Bhitti and vimanam above vedigai was constructed with brick.
Ekatha Vesara Vimanam called called as Chandra Vimanam. The Koshtams on the bhitti are empty. The Greeva koshtams are like Salai extended up to sigaram. Nasis are between greeva koshtams. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam along with periya thiruvadi.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since mangalasasanam of this temple was done by 8th Century Thirumangai Alwar, the original temple might have been existed before 8th Century. Also it is believed that the original temple was constructed by Ko Chengat Chozha.
Latter the temple received contributions from Chozhas and Marathas. Chozha period inscriptions found on the adhistanam kumudam and Padma jagathi.
Maha samprokshanam was conducted on 13th June 2002 and again on 11th September 2014.
Solar Lights are installed by Jaisai solar solutions from Trichy and Erode, who are blessed by the Ahobila mutt 45th and 46th pattam Azhagiya Singar, at a cost of Rs.184150.00 in 2019.
LEGENDS
It is believed that this place might have obtained it’s name from the flower called Sangu, which was grown in this are during ancient times.
Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal gave darshan to Chandran, Devaprunthagar, Devas and Nithyasuris.
As per the Legend, Chandra was the brother of Maha Lakshmi and considered as powerful next to Sun. Chandra Conducted a Rajasurayagna where he was attracted by Dhara, wife of Guru. Dhara and Chandra had a son called Budhan through illict affair. Guru complained to Maha Vishnu and cursed to affect by the leprosy. Chandra worshiped Maha Vishnu to get rid of the curse.
As per the legend, Chandra married 27 daughters of Daksha, but he was more affectionate with Rohini. So the others complained to their father daksha, who cursed Chandra to loose his power. To get relieved from the Curse, Chandran came to this place created a theertham and worshiped Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal. Perumal relieved Chandran from the curse. Hence this temple’s Vimanam is called as Chandra Vimanam and theertham is called as Chandra pushkarani.
In another legend while Vinayagar was returning from a feast with kubera, a snake crossed their way. The vahana moonchuru got frightened and started ran in amok. Due to this Vinayagar had fallen down and vomited what he ate. Seeing this Chandra laughed. angered Vinayagar cursed Chandra to loose his power. The two legend also connected with Lord Shiva in which he will loose his power for 15 days due to curse and regained the power 15 days as a boon from Lord Shiva in this case from Maha Vishnu.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on all Vaishnavite important days, like Pavithrotsavam in the month Purattasi, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Navaratri, New Year Days, etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 09.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 15.00 to 17.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number of Varadharajan Bhattar, who come from Mayiladuthurai +91 99652 73712 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The Temple is about a KM from the place Thalachangadu and 18.6 KM from Sirkazhi, 23 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 30 KM from Karaikal, 50 KM from Nagapattinam and 255 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.
