108 Divya Desam !! Thiru Thanjaimamani Koil – Sri Neelamega Perumal/Thiru Manikundram/Thiru Thanjayali Nagar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Thiru Thanjaimamani Koil is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located on the river banks of Vennar in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.  The three Temples of Lord Sriman Narayana positioned here are Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Thiru Manikundram and Thiru Thanjayali temple considered as one Divya Desam.  Brahmanda Puranam describes the grandeur of this sacred land.  The three Vaishnavaite saints Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar and Nammalvar sung praising the glories of Lord Sriman Narayana in this temple.


1.      Thiru Thanjaimamani Koil – Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple

Presiding deity – Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan,Sri Neelamega Perumal with his consort Goddess Sembakavalli Thayar/Senkamalavalli Thayar

Pratyaksham to – Sage Parasara

Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar

Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar

Sannidhis – Lord Hayagreevah, Alwars,  Sri Vedantha Desikar, Sri Garuda Alwar


2.    Thiru Manikundram


Presiding deity – Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan, Sri Manikundra Perumal with his consort Goddess Sri Ambujavalli Thayar

Pratyaksham to -  Sage Markandeya

Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar

Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar



3.    Thiru Thanjayali Nagar

Presiding deity –Utsavar – Sriman Narayanan, Lord Narasimha with his consort Goddess Sri Thanjai Nayaki

Pratyaksham to – Sage Markandeya

Mangalasasanam – Sri Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Nammalwar

Pushkarani – Viraja Nadhi/Vinnaru/Vennar



The legend has that in Kritha Yuga there were three demons Thanjakan, Thandakan and Gajamukhan underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva was pleased at the devotion of the three demons and appeared before them.  The demons requested for a boon of immortality to Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva advised them that Lord Vishnu as a Preserver could provide such a boon.   However Lord Shiva provided them with a boon that he will do no harm to them. 



The three demons were turned out haughty with the extra-ordinary boon provided by Lord Shiva and they started harassing entire deities and Rishis.  In the meantime, the entire universe had undergone severe drought and famine.  Surprisingly, there was only one sacred land remained undisturbed where Sage Parasara was following severe austerities and propitiating Lord Hari.  The three demons arrived on this land; they started assaulting Sage Parasara and tried all their arrogant means to vanquish him from this lush green land.  Sage Parasara called out for Lord Hari loudly for help.



Instantaneously, Lord Sriman Narayana sent Garuda to kill the army of demons. At last, Lord himself appeared before the demons and beheaded all of them.  Thanjakan regretted about his deeds and begged to pardon him.  Thus, the sacred land has got its name Thanjakanur and later years came to known as ‘Thanjavur’.    



The demon Gajamukhan appeared as an elephant (Yali) and entered in a battle with Lord.   Lord Sriman Narayana took the form of a half-man and half-lion form (Lord Narasimha) and killed him.  Gajamukhan also regretted at his misdeeds and begged to pardon him.   Thus, this place came to known as ‘Thanjayali’. 



The demon Thandakan found shelter in Patal Loka, Lord took the form of a wild boar (Varaha) plunged into Patal Loka and killed him.  He also realized his stupidity and begged for pardon.   The place where Thandakan was got killed came to known as Dhandakaranyam.  Lord appeared as ‘Bhuvaraha Murthy’ on the Earth after beheading Thandakan, this sacred place is known as Thirumuttam – Srimushnam.   Finally,   the most compassionate Lord provided all three demons with salvation.


Contact Person – Sri S. Ramanujam Swamin – 4362281488/ 9952468956,
S/o Sri Srinivasa Battachariar Swamin (Sri Rangam) ,
Koiladi Post, Tiruvarur Taluk,
Tanjavur District. 613105

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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