Thiru Thangal Ninra Narayanan Temple

Only Divya Desam with 11 idols inside the Sanctum
‘Garuda seen together with his enemy Aadhiseshan’ is a unique feature at this Divya Desam

4 kms east of the cracker town of Sivakasi on the Srivilliputhur - Virudhanagar road, is the Ninra Narayana Divya Desam in Thiru Thangal. The Lord is seen in a standing posture atop a hill (the Thangal Malai). At the Western entrance is the Lord Ranganatha Sannidhi from where one has to climb around 15 steps to reach the Ninra Narayanan Sannidhi.

The temple, which has been renovated in the last few years thanks to help from local industrialists, now wears a new, bright look inside. The Andaal Divya Desam at Srivilliputhur is about 25Kms(West) from here.

A war of words between the 3 Devis

A fight arose between the three Devis- Sri Devi, BhooDevi and NeelaDevi- as to who was the senior most among the three and the favourite of the Lord. To prove her status, SriDevi came down to this place and undertook penance near the ‘Thangala hills’. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before her and acknowledged that she was his favourite. In memory of this event, this place came to be called ‘Sri’ Puram. It is believed that Bhoodevi and Neeladevi agreed with this verdict of the Lord and decided to stay here at this place.

Aadi Trip to SriVilliputhur

Every year, on the 5th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, ThiruThangal Appan goes to SriVilliputhur, about 25kms from here. PeriyaAzhvaar praises the Lord in the morning, while Garuda Sevai is a special feature in the evening. The next morning, 6th day of Aadi, ThiruThangal Appan takes flowers from Andaal, another unique occurrence.

11 idols inside the sanctum

Inside the sanctum, one can see as many as 11 idols, the only Divya Desam to have these many idols within the sanctum. The idols are: Deiveeka Vasudevan, Sridevi, Neeladevi, Bhoomadevi, Brigu Rishi, Markandeya Rishi, Garuda, Arunan (Suryan’s Charioteer), Anirudhan, Ushai and Jambavathi (only temple to have an image of Jambavathi).

Garuda and Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan

A unique feature at this Divya Desam is that Garuda is seen along with his traditional enemy, ‘The Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan’. Garuda is also seen adorned with jewellery.

Krishna’s grandson wedding at ThiruThangal

Krishna’s grandson Anirudhan got married at this place to Baanaasuran’s daughter Ushai. It is believed that Deiveega Vasudevan came down to attend this wedding.

A fight between Sacred Banyan tree and Aadhiseshan

Once a fight arose between a sacred Banyan tree and Aadhiseshan as to who was more powerful. They went up to Brahmma who decided in favour of Aadhiseshan as it was on the Serpant Lord that Lord Vishnu slept. Unhappy with Brahmma’s decision, the sacred tree undertook penance seeking Vishnu’s blessings. The Lord asked him to go to ThiruThangal and take the form of a hill. Fulfilling his wish, the Lord would come there to the hill and accept SriDevi, who was undertaking penance, at the foot of the hill.

Festival 
Aani Brahmotsavam
Aavani Pavitrotsavam
Puratasi Garuda Sevai
Chitra Pournami- 3 day procession

Quick Facts

Moolavar    : Ninra Naarayanan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess     : Shengamalar Thaayar
Utsavar      : ThiruThangal Appan
Paasurams  : BhoothathAzhvaar (1), ThirumangaiAzhvaar(4)
Temple time: 6am-12noon and 4pm-8pm
Priest          : Anantha Sayana Bhattar @ 94435 70765

How to reach
Bus : Frequent buses fromVirudanagar (25kms), Sivakasi and Srivilliputhur. Mini buses ply every 5-10 mts between Sivakasi and ThiruThangal. Train: Chennai Shengottai Podhigai Express stops at ThiruThangal (615am arrival)