Nainamalai Varadharaja Swamy Temple, Namakkal

Address

Nainamalai Varadharaja Swamy Temple, Namakkal perumal Kovil Street, Sendamangalam Namakkal District Tamilnadu – 637409 Mobile: 9443499854 & 9442397876

Deity

Varadharaja Swamy Amman: Kuvalayavali Thayar

Introduction

Location: Nainamalai, a hilltop near Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, approximately 10 miles northeast of Namakkal.
Deities: Sri Varadharaja Swamy and Kuvalayavali Thayar.
Temple Significance: Known as the “Thirupathi of Salem,” the temple is a revered pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

Ancient History: The temple is considered one of the most ancient in Tamil Nadu, believed to date back many yugas (ages). Various rishis (sages) are said to have performed penance here, giving the temple great spiritual significance.
Mythological Association: The temple is connected with Naina Maharishi, the guru of Thirumalai Naicker, who is said to have performed penance at this site. It is also believed that the temple existed under different names in various yugas, such as Indhra Jalam, Padma Jalam, Yadhava Jalam, and Naina Jalam.
Religious Importance: During the Puratasi month (September-October), the temple sees lakhs of devotees, particularly on Saturdays, to seek blessings.

Special Features

Annual Event: A unique event occurs once every 12 years, during which it is believed that Lord Indra worships the deity in the form of thunder.
Challenging Pilgrimage: The temple is located on top of a hill, requiring devotees to climb approximately 3,500 steps, which typically takes around three hours to complete.
Sacred Tree: The Thala Virucham of this temple is the nali tree.
Architectural Marvels: The temple features a maha mandapam adorned with sculptures of several deities, including Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshmana, Lord Krishna with a butter pot, Lord Narasimha, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ayyappan, and the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharam).
Unique Solar Phenomenon: From the 1st day of the Tamil month Aani to the 30th day of Aadi, sun rays fall directly on the deity, marking a unique celestial occurrence.
Connected Temples: The temple is accessible from Sendamangalam, a town at the foot of the Nainamalai hills. Another significant temple in Sendamangalam is dedicated to Sri Perundevi Sametha Lakshmi Narayana Swamy.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam: Celebrated during the Tamil month of Masi (February-March).
Purattasi Vratham: Observed on Saturdays during the months of September and October, a special five-week period where devotees visit in large numbers for worship.