Thiruvali Sri Azhagiyasingar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thiruvali Sri Azhagiyasingar temple, Thiruvali , Sirkazhli circle, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu 609109 Phone: 275699/94433 72567

Diety

Narasimhan, Azhagiyasingar (Vishnu), Amman: Amirtha Kada Valli

Introduction

At Vedarajapuram, a village in between Thiruvali and Thirunagari, Mangai Mannan stops the Lord in an effort to relieve him of his belongings. It is here that the Lord reveals his true form and utters the Astakshara Mantra in the ears of Mangai Mannan. This entire event is enacted here every year in Panguni on the day before Panguni Uthiram. Being the place where Lord Vishnu appeared to share the Thiru Manthiram, Thiruvaali is said to be equivalent to Badri. Accepting the prayers of the Devas (they wanted Goddess Lakshmi to help protect the world from any further destruction after the Lord had slain Hiranyakashipu), the Goddess came here and sat on the Lord’s right thigh. Hence, this place came to be called ‘Thiru’Vali.

Puranic Significance

Perumal took the Narasimha Avtar to destroy demon Hiranya. His fury could not be softened by anyone. Devas and Rishis were afraid that Lord’s fury would destroy the whole universe and begged the help of Mother Mahalakshmi. She came and sat on Lord’s lap. Lord embraced (Aalinganam in Sanskrit) hence the place was named Aalingana Puram – Tiruvali. Tiru in Tamil means Mother Mahalakshmi. Tirumangai Azhwar was a chieftain of this place. When his assets dried in the service of Lord, he began to rob people on the way to fund his services to Lord and thus became a Saint in the Vaishnavite order after the Upadesa of Lord. His Mangalasasanam hymns are noted for its poetic beauty combined with a spiritual flow touching the soul. Saint Kulasekhara Azhwar had sung the glory of Perumal in his songs

Beliefs

Those seeking wisdom and prosperity pray to Lord here. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord Perumal and offer vastras.

Special Features

This sacred land is revered next to Badarikashrama as Lord Perumal taught the Tirumantra to Azhwar. The place is also revered as Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetra as Lord Perumal graces here along with Mother Mahalakshmi. The devotee has the advantage of worshipping five Narasimha Kshetras in Tiruvali. Mother Mahalakshmi gave pressure to Perumal to grant darshan to Saint Tirumangai Azhwar. As planned, Mahalakshmi was born as daughter of Sage Poorna Mahrshi and had the hands of Perumal in wedding. When they were passing through Devarajapuram, Tirumangai Azhwar waylaid them. Perumal taught the Ashtakshara Mantra to Azhwar and granted darshan.The Mandap where Tirumangai Azhwar intercepted the divine couple still exists here. This ‘way laying’ event is celebrated in the temple is celebrated in the temple each year