Thirunangur Sri Vaikundanathar Temple (Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram), Mayiladuthurai

Address

Thirunangur Sri Vaikundanathar Temple (Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram), Nangur, Tamil Nadu 609106,Phone 91 4364 275 478

Diety

Vaikunta Nathan, Amman: Vaikunta Valli

Introduction

Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram or Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Thirunangur, a village in the outskirts of Sirkazhi in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikuntavalli. Theertham: Lakshmi Pushkarini, Utharanga Pushkarini, Viraja

Puranic Significance

King Swetakethu belonged to Ikshvagu dynasty which Lord Sri Rama chose for His incarnation. He loved every one and was a living example of honesty and integrity. He and his wife had a passion to visit Vaikunda to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu. As a king, he completed all his political duties and set ready for penance with his queen Damayanthi. They prepared fire around them, stood looking at the Sun and began a severe penance. Days passed. They shed their mortal coil and reached Vaikundam but could not find their Vaikunda Vasan. They stood sad. Maharshi came there. Swetaketu and Damayanthi fell at his feet and enquired him why they could not get the darshan of Lord. Narada replied that though they performed severe penance but failed to perform even small Homas and charities. That failure was the cause of this failure. The remedy was that they had to worship Lord Iravadeswarar on the banks of Cauvery on Earth and appeal to Him, who would help them to have Vaikunda darshan. Both prayed to Lord Iravadeswarar and begged his help for Perumal darshan. Lord Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said that He too was waiting for Perumal darshan and suggested that they could join him in penance. Meantime, Sage Udanga Maharshi also joined the in the penance. Thus four performed penance together. When Lord Vishnu appeared before them with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Lord Iravadeswarar prayed that the place where the darshan was granted should be honoured as Vaikunda Vinnagaram and that He be worshipped as Vaikunda Nathar. Thus, Perumal came here as Lord Vaikunda Vasan to this place with Mother praised as Vaikundhavalli.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Perumal for unity in family

Special Features

Lord Perumal facing east blesses the devotee in a sitting posture. The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is called Ananda Satya Varthaga Vimanam. Sage Udhanga Maharshi and Upari Siravasu had the darshan of Perumal in this temple