Pallava King Aparajitha Varma built the temple, Rastrakuta ruler Krishna III undertook renovations at the temple that has inscriptions in plenty
Located 11kms from Tiruttani on the Nagalapuram highway is the over 1000years old Vaikunta Vasa Perumal temple in Nemili, a temple that dates back to the early 10th Century AD and to the rule of Aparajitha Varma Pallava, the last of the Pallava rulers. He also installed a Utsava deity who is now called by his name ‘Aparajitha’ and for whom there is daily Thirumanjanam.
Later inscriptions in Tamil on the South wall dating to 961AD indicate that Rashtrakuta King Kannara Deva (Krishna III) undertook extensive renovation at the temple.
Moolavar Vaikunta Vasa Perumal is seen in a Grand sitting posture alongside Sri and Bhoo Devi with Paddy in his hand.
The Name
In Centuries gone by, the place was called Thiru ‘Nel’ Malai which in course of time became Nemili. Inscriptions at the temple indicate that this temple was referred to as the Perumal temple at Nenamali.
The Utsava deity Nithya Kalyana Perumal is seen with flowers and a bracelet.
The story goes that the Lord in a sitting posture blocked with his back the Eri that had broken open, thus preventing the village from being submerged. Hence, the Moolavar Lord is also referred to as Eri Kaatha Vaikunta Vasa Perumal.
Ramanuja’s Visit
It is believed that Ramanuja visited this temple and stayed here on his way from Sriperumbudur to Tirupathi. Hence, this is also said to be an Abhimana Sthalam.
Abound with Inscriptions
The Nemili temple is abound with inscriptions the earliest of which dates back to the 905AD to the rule of the last of the Pallava rulers, Aparajitha Varma that records a gift of 100kuli of land for sounding music at the temple. The Pillar at the temple was constructed by Kovalan.
There are also inscriptions relating to the Chola and Rashtrakuta rulers
Chola Inscription
A 920AD inscription in Tamil relating to Parantaka I records the gift of land free of taxes for worship and offerings during the mid day service and for a lamp in the temple to the Sabha of Nenamali (the then name of the place) and a 945AD inscription relating to the same ruler records a tax free gift of 1000kuli of land near the tank.
A 967AD inscription on the west wall records the remission of tax on 1000kuli of land granted for sounding of music.
Through a Tamil inscription on the West wall relating to Parantaka Sundara Chola, one comes to know that there was a gift of sheep in 973AD for maintaining the lamp. The North wall of the central shrine has inscriptions in both Tamil and Telugu that provides information on the length of the measuring rod by two marks on the wall, the space between which measures 18spans
A 1010AD Raja Raja I Inscription on the South Wall provides details of taxes to be levied on crops raised on different kinds of lands. Death duty was to be levied on Brahmana community to be utilised for benefit of the temple tank.
Perpetual Lamps at the temple
1032AD - 11th Century AD inscriptions relating to the rule of Rajendra Chola I dating to 1032AD record the gift of 95sheeps for a lamp and the gift of copper lamp stand to temple by a shepherd.
1054AD- During the rule of Rajendra II, a 1054AD inscription records the sale of 500 kuli of land by the Maha Sabha for maintaining a perpetual lamp in the temple.
1252AD- A 13th Century AD inscription in Tamil and Telugu dating back to 1252AD records the gift of 1010kuli of land to the deity for four lamps and for offering during Irupalli Ezhuchi.
Another inscription records the gifting by Raja Kesari Varma’s gifting of sheep for a lamp.
Speciality at the temple
Parikara Sthalam for Rahu-Kethu Dosham
Parikara Sthalam for Unmarried and the childless-
The unmarried can bring 2 flower garlands and place one on the Utsava deity Nithya Kalyana Perumal. Sincere prayers are said to be answered within three months of placing the garland around the Lord.
Rohini Star is a special day at this temple every month
The temple which is under the administration of Tiruttani HR & CE is planning for a Raja Gopuram to be built.
Festivals
Vaikunta Ekadesi
First 3 days of Thai
Panguni Uthiram
There is no Brahmotsavam at the temple
Quick Facts
Moolavar: Vaikunta Vasa Perumal in a Grand Sitting posture facing East with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
Utsavar : Nithya Kalyana Perumal
Priest : Ranganatha Bhattar@94451 45172 / 99947 76972 / 88706 01752 / 08374 412454
Temple Time: 7am-12noon and 5pm-8pm
How to reach Nemili
Take train to Tiruttani ( Sapthagiri Exp / Tirupathi Exp). From Tiruttani, buses every half hour to Nemili (Nagalapuram route). Bus Nos. 127 and T7 (Chevada route)
Private bus operator Bharathi also runs bus services from Tiruttani( takes about 20mts-30mts
Auto to and fro from Tiruttani bus stand/ railway station will cost Rs. 250/-
3 comments:
Perumal is in sitting pose To have Darshan of lord is a feast to eyes.
Fantastic darshan. Historic but lesser known gem of a place.
Great information
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