Thiru Kurungudi Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Moksham

Restoration of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar's Moksham Sthalam is drawing devotees to this Sannidhi

Set against the beautiful Western Ghats in the background and with green paddy fields all around is the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi in Thiru Kurungudi, where he attained Moksham.

Kurungudi – Therku Veedu

When Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sought Moksham at the feet of Ranganathawamy of Srirangam after having undertaken the construction of the huge walls around the temple complex, he was directed to the Lord's Southern Home in Thiru Kurungudi.

As per the Vaishnavite Sampradayam, Thiru Kurungudi is said to be the ‘Southern House’ of Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is believed that ‘Vaikuntam’ (the ultimate destination for Vaishnavites) is in ‘calling distance’ from Thiru Kurungudi (Thiru Narayana Puram is the ‘Mela Veedu’, Kanchipuram the ‘Keezha Veedu’ and Srirangam ‘The Veedu’)

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Moksha Sthalam

For a long time, the Moksham Sthalam at Thiru Kurungui north of the Azhagiya Nambi temple lay in a dilapidated condition until the restoration undertaken by TVS’ Venu Srinivasan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html). In the decades gone by, this historic Sannidhi had remained unknown and deserted. But the restoration that coincided with the devotional wave at TN temples is now bringing in devotees to this temple. 

தவள விளம்பிறை துள்ளுமுன்னீர் தண்மலர் தென்றலோடு 

அன்றிலொன்றித் துவள 

என் நெஞ்சகம் சோர ஈறும் சூழ்ப்பணி நாள் துயிலாது இருப்பேன் 

இவளும் ஒர் பெண்கொடி என்று இரங்கார்

எண்ணலம் ஐந்து முன் கொண்டுபோன 

குவளை மலர் நிற வண்ணர்மன்னு

திருக்குறுங்குடிக்கே  என்னை உய்த்துடுமின் 

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar is seen in an interesting posture at this Sannidhi – with his hands folded and invoking the blessings of Nambi of Thiru Kurungudi. It is here at this location that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar attained Moksham.

Maniam Ramanujam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2025/06/thiru-kurungudi-maniam-ramanujam.html) took charge of this Sannidhi and is excited that the devotees are keen to know its historical relevance. It is he who is taking these devotees to the Sannidhi, a km North of the Nambi temple. He told this writer that till a couple of decades ago, no visiting devotee had any insights into this Sannidhi and it had remained locked. He credits Venu Srinivasan for the huge interest that has been created in this Divya Desam "Following the restoration, the devotee crowd has increased manifold and there is great traction in all the Sannidhis around including Malai Mel Nambi, Ramanuja and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, each of which had remained bereft of devotees.”“

“The Sambhavanai provided by the Venu Srinivasan is serving as a real motivation to the Kainkaryapas. From a hand to mouth existence in the century gone by, almost all the Kainkaryaparas here at Thiru Kurungudi are now leading a highly fulfilling life with the financial security that has come their way”, a delighted Maniam told this writer on the way back from the Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi. 

Maniam Ramanuajam at Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Sannidhi

There was a time when we all struggled here at Thiru Kurungudi and we wondered if there would be a turnaround in our lives. There indeed has been a big turnaround and all these sannidhis are now vibrant with devotees visiting in good numbers."

தூங்கார் அரவத் திரைவந்து உலவத், தொடுகடலுள் 

தொங்கார் அரவில் துயிலும் புனிதரூர் போலும் 

செங்கால் அன்னம் திகழ்தன் பனையின் பெடையோடும் 

கொங்கார் கமலத்து அலரில் சேரும் குறுங்குடியே 

Devotees also visit Ramanuja Sannidhi

After Thiru Kurungudi (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/08/thiru-kurungudi-divya-desam.html), Ramanuja visited other Divya Desams such as Thiruvattaru, Thiruvan Parisaram and the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple. At Thiru Ananathapuram, the Lord asked Garuda to carry him fast that same night back to Thiru Kurungkudi. And to Ramanuja’s surprise, he was on top of the Thiru Kurungudi rock at the blink of an eye.

கண்டவர் சிந்தை கவரும் கடிபொழில் தென்னரங்கன் 

தொண்டர் குலாவும் ராமானுஜனை 

தொகை இறந்த பண்தரு வேதங்கள் பார்மேல் 

நிலவிடப் பார்த்தருளும் கொண்டலை மேவி தொழும் 

குடியாம் எங்கள் கோக்குலமே 

Maniam Ramanujam is also happy that devotees after having visited Azhagiya Nambi and Malai Mel Nambi are now keen to have darshan of Ramanuja, a Sannidhi that is a few kms away. In the past, the few that visited the temple town would visit Azhagiya Nambi Sannidhi and return but the restoration is driving them to other sannidhis as well in this Divya Desam.

In addition to donning the role of Maniam at the temple, he also takes these devotees to the Ramanuja and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar sannidhis so the devotees get to know the historical significance of this place.

The annual avathara utsavam of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar on the Karthigai day in the month of Karthigai is celebrated at Thiru Kurungudi.

To visit Thiru Mangai Azhvaar and Ramanuja Sannidhis in Thiru Kurungudi, contact Maniam Ramanujam @ 9360548252