Kal Garuda Utsavam Nachiyar Koil

Magical event of ‘Stone Garuda’ increasing in weight manifold was witnessed last Thursday evening on the occasion of the fourth day of Margazhi Brahmotsavam at the 5^th Century AD Divya Desam in Nachiyar Koil

மான் கொண்ட தோல் மார்வின்.....
தென் கொண்ட சாரல் திருவேங்கடத்தானை
நான் சென்று நாடி
நறையூரில் கண்டேனே - Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, who was initiated the Pancha Samaskara here by the Lord of Thiru Naraiyur, in his above verse compares him with Lord Srinivasa of Tirupathi and says that he found the same beauty here as he had seen at Tirupathi.

Thiru Mangai has sung 100verses of praise on Nachiyar Koil. The only other Divya Desam receiving a century of verses from Thiru Magai is Sowri Rajan of Thiru Kannapuram, a Divya Desam about 25kms East of Nachiyar Koil.

  

Thousands watch Garuda increase in weight

Sharp at 7pm on Thursday evening, Kal Garuda made his way out of his sanctum to provide darshan to tens of thousands of devotees (including a family that had come all the way from Australia) who had gathered inside this early Chozha period temple.

A special feature of this Kal Garuda Utsavam was the magical event where Kal Garuda increased in weight during the procession. While only 4 people carried Kal Garuda out of his sanctum, as he advanced further out of each Layer and prakara, his weight increased manifold that 8 people, 16, 32 and 64people were required to carry him out into the Vahana mandapa at the entrance of the temple.

After an alankara for over an hour that saw Kal Garuda draped in a new silk dhoti and decked with beautifully glittering jewels and with a huge flower garland brought specially for this occasion from Srirangam, Vanjula Valli Thaayar led the handsome Srinivasa Perumal, mounted atop the Stone Garuda, out of the temple for the 6hour procession around the four Mada Streets of Nachiyar Koil.

As Kal Garuda stepped out from the Vahana Mandapa, his weight had increased dramatically that 128 people were required to carry them. Interestingly, on the way back early next morning, the Stone Garuda mount decreased in weight and finally, back at the sanctum, only 4 people were required to carry him ( the same number as the one when he departed the previous evening).  

Garuda Sweats

Another unique feature of this Utsavam was that one could see Stone Garuda sweating profusely as he made his way out for the procession.

  

On Friday morning, Kal Garuda received first honours from Srinivasa Perumal at his sanctum, where the Lord of Thiru Naraiyur presented Garuda with his parivattam, dhoti and garland for having carried him effortlessly on to the streets of Nachiyar Koil, on this special festive occasion to provide darshan to all the devotees who had come from across the country and outside, thus bringing to end the one of its kind Kal Garuda Utsavam.

  

Vanjula Valli Thaayar leads the procession

The divya desam in Thiru Naraiyur is one of the few out of the 108 Divya Desams where Goddess has prominence over the Lord. On all festive occasions, the first rights are reserved for Nachiyar. Vanjularvalli Thaayar leads the way at the procession, ahead of Srinivasa perumal. Even the food is served first to Vanjulavalli Nachiyar and only then to Naraiyur Nambi here at this temple.  This Divya Desam is also referred to by her name as ‘Nachiyar Koil’.

Sugantha Giri Kshetram              

Built by the Chozha King Ko Chenganan, Nachiyar Koil has 16 Gopurams including the 5 Tiered Raja Gopuram. Ko Chenganan had already built 70 Saivite Temples and this one, the 71^st, was his first Vaishnavite temple. Recognising this, Thiru Mangai has dedicated 10verses of praise to Ko Chenganan. While Kanchipuram is referred to as Athigiri and Tirupathi as Seshagiri, the temple here at Thiru Naraiyur is referred to as Suganthagiri.

Thirumangai's reference to Ko Chenganan 

Thirumangai has dedicated 10verses of praise to Ko Chenganan, the Chozha king who built this temple.

பைங் கண் ஆள் ஆர் உரு ஆய் வேறுவ நோக்கி ......
.....................
விரல் மன்னர் திருஅல் அழிய  வெம்மா உய்த்த
செங்கணான் கோச் சோழன் சேர்ந்த கோயில்
திருநறையூர் மணிமாடம் சேர்மின்களே

Quick Facts

Deity                :  Thiru Naraiyur Nambi, Srinivasa Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Goddess           :  Vanjula Valli Thaayar 

Temple timing  : 630am –12.30pm and 430pm-830pm

Contact            : Gopinathan Bhattar@ 94435 97388 / 0435 2467167

How to reach

Nachiyar Koil is about 10kms from Kumbakonam on the Thiruvarur Road. Buses ply every half hour on this route. Auto from Kumbakonam Railway Station will cost Rs.150

When here, also visit Thiru Cherai, Thiru Kannamangai and Thiru Kannapuram Divya Desams.