The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi during the Tamil month of Margali (December - January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legend
Chandra Pushkarani, the temple tank
It is believed that Vishnu appeared for Chandra, the moon god, who worshipped Vishnu at this place.[1] As per Hindu legend, Chandra, the moon god, is treated second after Surya, the sun god, among the Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities. He is also considered the brother of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, as he emerged during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Chandra once conducted a sacrifice called rajasuya yajna, which was attended by all the celestial deities. Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter) was attracted to Chandra. The moon god took away Tara from Brihaspati, leading to the Tarakamaya War. Brihaspati cursed Chandra to be afflicted by disease. Tara gave birth to Budha (Mercury) for Chandra. According to the temple's regional legend, to free himself of the curse, Chandra started worshipping Vishnu in this place.[2] Since the presiding deity holds the famous conch, this place came to be known as Talaichankam, with cankam meaning conch.[3]
Architecture and history
Nanmathiya Perumal temple is situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture. It has a single tiered gopuram and a temple tank in front of it and is called Chandra Pushkarani. The temple has one precinct and two shrines. The temple has a shrine for Naanmadiya Perumal facing east. It has a conch that is considered one of its kind. It is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The place was very famous during the Chola regime for conch as it was closer to their port town Poompuhar. The place finds mention in the Sangam literatureCilappatikaram. The temple and the place has been patronized by the Chola kings. The temple was in a dilapidated condition and it was renovated by Suntara Ramanuja. Like Shiva, the presiding deity sports a crescent in his head.[3]
Festival, religious practices and religious significance
The gateway
The temple follows the traditions of the Tenkalai sect of Vaishna tradition and follows the Pancharatra Agama. The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnava community, from the Brahmin class. The temple rituals are performed three times a day: Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 3:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Vaithamanidhi and Kolurvalli. During the last step of worship, nadasvaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[4]
The temple is revered in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Sri Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like the 108 Tirupati Antati by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.[3][5]
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