Sirkazhi Trivrikrama Temple

Two great Saivite and Vaishnavite poets meet each other here at Sirkazhi
Mangai Mannan crowned as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’ and handed over the Vel by Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

Located in the heart of Sirkazhi is the Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagara Divya Desam, one where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar met with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.  This is one of the five Divya Desams referred by Thirumangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi as ‘Vinnagaram’.

The others being Parameswara Vinnagaram (Kanchipuram), Arimeya Vinnagaram and Vaikunta Vinnagaram (Thiru Nangur) and Nandipura Vinnagaram (Nathan Koil, Kumbakonam).

The Story

Brahma had grown arrogant about his life span. To defuse his arrogance, Sage Romasa invoked the blessings of Lord Vishnu and was granted a boon, whereby for every hair lock that fell from the Rishi, Brahmma’s life time would reduce by a year. Asked what else he wanted, the sage sought darshan of his Trivikrama form at this place. 

This is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu in his Vaamana Avatara measured his first step. At this Divya Desam, only the left foot of the Lord can be seen every day. The right foot is displayed only once a year on the Vaikunta Ekadesi day.

Thirumangai Azhvaar blocked at Sirkazhi

It is here at Sirkazhi that the great Saivite poet Thiru Gnana Sambandhar met with the Great Vaishnavite saint poet Thiru Mangai Mannan and engaged in a debate.

After visiting Thiru Chitrakoodam (Chidambaram), Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai Mannan by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They blocked Thirumangai Mannan and asked his followers not to shout praises of Thiru Mangai Mannan in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They wanted Thirumangai Mannan to engage with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in a discussion and win over him before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai Mannan.

Debate between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
In the first meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10 verses of praise in the name of Vishnu.

“ஒரு குறளாய்  இரு நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி 
உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக
ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில்  வைத்த 
தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர் 

தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்
திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்
அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்

தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்
காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”

Pleased and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’ and presented him with the ‘Vel’(spear). Among the Azhvaars, Thiru Mangai is the only one who has been crowned with the ‘Vel’.

Thirumangai’s 8 different names referred here at this place

The Paasuram relating to this divya desam is the only one where Thirumangai refers to each of his 8 different names - Aali Naadan, Arul Maari, Aratha Mukki, Adayar Seeyam, Kongumalar Kuzhaliyar Vel, Mangai Venthan, Parakaalan and Kaliyan.

“…..ஆலி நாடன் அருள் மாரி  அரட்டு அமுக்கி 
அடையார்  சீயம் கொங்குமலர்க் குழலியர் 
வேள் மங்கை வேந்தன் 
கொற்ற வேல்
பரகாலன் கலியன் சொன்ன………

Administration 

The temple is administered by Chola Simhapuram Koil Kanthaadai Chantamaarutham Swami Dhoddayacharyar.

Festivals

Pavitrotsavam in Aavani

Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Thaadalan East Facing Standing Posture

Thayar         : Loga Naayaki

Utsavar   : Trivikrama Narayanan

Time        : 730am-1130am and 4.30pm-830pm

Priest       : Badri Narayana Bhattar @  04364 270207 or 94424 19989

Located 235kms South of Madras, 20 kms South of Chidambaram, 20 kms North of Mayiladuthurai and 70 kms West of Nagapattinam, there are buses every 30 minutes from Madras, Chidambaram and Kumbakonam.

Train Services

Daily day and night trains between Madras and Mayavaram stop at Sirkazhi