Thalaichanga Naanmathiyam Divya Desam

Chandran was liberated from his curse here

Lured by the beauty of the Naan Mathiyam Perumal of Thalaichangadu, Thirumangai Azhwar, sitting in Thiru Kannapuram, a Divya Desam about 50kms South West of here, indicated his instant desire to see the handsome Lord residing at this cool lotus filled Thalaichanga Naanmathiyam in his Periya Thirumozhi Verse 

‘கண் ஆர்  கண்ணபுரம் ....
தண் ஆர் தாமரை சூழ் தலைச்ச
ங்க மேல்திசையுள் 
விண்ணோர் நான் மதியை 
விரிகின்ற வெம் சுடரை 
கண் ஆரக் கண்டு கொண்டு கழிக்கின்றது 
இங்கு என்று கொலோ 

In the Periya Thiru Madal, Thirumangai refers to the special sacred water at Thalaichanga Naan Mathiyam Perumal temple: “நல் நீர்த் தலைச்சங்க நாள் மதியை ”. The sacred water (Theertham) tastes special here at this temple.

Inscriptions

Several inscriptions dating back over a 1000 years to the rule of Para Kesari Varma, Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola period are seen on the outer walls of the Prakara that indicate significant contribution made by these rules to this temple and the .

In ancient times, Thalaichangadu was a commercial hub renowned for Conches, with the Eastern coast of Kaveripattanam just around 7kms from here.

Thalaichanga Naan Mathiyam Perumal temple’s legend has close connections with at least two other Divya Desams – Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam and Parimala Rangan Temple at Thiru Indhalur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/08/108-divya-desams-thiru-indhalur.html).

Chandran liberated from curse

Chandran, who was learning under the tutelage of Guru Brihaspathi, fell for the beauty of his Guru’s wife and cast an evil eye on her. Brihaspathi, who came to know about this, uttered a severe curse turning Chandran into a disease prone being. A shocked Chandran pleaded with the Guru to pardon him but Brihaspathi pronounced that the biggest sin of life is to caste one’s eyes on another’s spouse and that Chandran would have to undergo the curse for having cast his eyes wrongfully on his Guru’s wife.

Another story goes that Dakshan offered the hand of his many daughters to Chandran after being impressed with his handsome looks. However, Chandran fell in love only with Rohini and disregarded the others. Dakshan viewed that Chandran had become arrogant as a result of his good looks and cursed Chandran to lose his youth and his ‘striking personality’.

Three Phased Parikara to cleanse sins

To cleanse himself from his sins, Chandran requested Brihaspati to suggest parikara and was directed by his Guru to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu for atonement from his sins.

As the first step in his three phased parikara, Chandran undertook bath at the Chandra Pushkarani and performed service at the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam for 15 years. This helped him liberate himself from his ‘physical disease’.

Subsequently, he moved to Thiru Indhalur (in Mayiladuthurai) and offered prayers to Lord Parimala Rangan. Answering his prayers, the Lord reduced the severity of his curse and brought back a few of his handsome features. As per Chandran’s request, this place in Mayiladuthurai came to be called Indhunna (a name denoting Chandran) - later Indhalur- and this region was referred to as Chandran Kshetram.

Finally as the culmination phase of his parikara process, he came here to Thalaichangadu Kshetram

(Aruna Vana Kshetram) had bath at the Theertham and undertook severe penance invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu who appeared here in a Chandra Vimana along with Shengamalavalli Thaayar and liberated him fully from all his curses. Hence the Lord here is also referred to as Chandra Saabha Haran.

A pleased Chandran requested that the Lord fulfil the wishes of devotees who pray sincerely to him at this temple, just as he did and to relieve them from curses and doshams.

Priest’s long trip every day

Despite this temple now being in a remote location with very little facilities, a redeeming feature is the commitment and devotion of Varadarajan Bhattar, who travels close to 20kms every morning from Mayiladuthurai to perform service to the Lord here at this temple.

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Naan Mathiyam Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar           : Thalaichanga Naachiyar

Utsava Deity    : Vensudar Perumal (Yoma Jothi Piraan)

Utsava Thaayar: Shengamalavalli Thaayar

Temple Time     :  10am-530pm

Contact            : Varadarajan Bhattar @ 99652 73712

Festivals

3day Pavitrotsavam in Puratasi

Navarathri Utsavam was started in 2008 after a gap of several decades.

Vensudar Perumal goes on a procession to the Thiruchangadu Village on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadesi (the only outside procession of the year)

How to reach

Thalaichangadu is 15kms East of Mayiladuthurai (the same distance from Sirkazhi) on the Karaikal Highway and 2kms from Karuvi/Poompuhar Entrance Arch.

From Mayavaram, buses every hour to Karuvi/Thalaichangadu. From Sirkazhi, one can board the Karaikal bound bus to reach the temple in 45 minutes.

From Mayiladuthurai, auto will cost Rs. 250 to Thalaichangadu.