Thiru Neer Malai, Ancient temple around Chennai

Fortunate to have visited another 108 Divya Desam - Thiru Neer malai in June 2023.

Thiruneermalai, a suburb of Chennai, has a 2000 year old temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu, regionally referred to as Neer-vanna Perumal and Ranganatha. 

The mountain (Malai in Tamil) is surrounded by water (Neer in Tamil), this sthalam is named as "Thiru Neer-Malai" in Tamil. In Sanskrit its called, "Thothadri Kshetram" Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). 

It's a very unique temple, as Lord Maha Vishnu Perumal gives his seva in four different positions as below.

Neervannar – Nindran - Standing 
Lord Narasimhar – Irundhan - Sitting
Lord Ranganathar – Kidanthan - Reclining
Lord Thiruvikrama – Nadanthan - Walking 

In this temple, Muni Valmiki, who wrote The Ramayana, worshipped Eari Kidantha (Aranganathan), Iruntha (Narasimar), Nadantha (Thiruvikraman) Kola seva of the Perumal. After worshipping all the 3 sevas, he came down from the mountain to worship Lord Rama. Knowing this Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Ramar and Lakshmi Piratti as Seetha and Aadisesha as Lakshman and Sangu and Chakram as Baratha chatrukanan. Lord Vigneshwar as Sugreev and Garudan as Hanuman.

It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. 

Also Narasimha here is unlike his furious avatar. Legend says Prahalada was fearful of Lord Narasimha in ugra avatar after killing his demonic father. Lord took the for of a peaceful small boy. So this temple has Narasimha as Bala Santha Narasimha - as a friend, calm small boy-Lion.

You have to climb about 250 steps to see the three temples at the top of hill. A unique prasadam in the temple is "Kal Dosai with Podi" apart from ususl Puliotharai.

We are so blessed to have so many ancient temples surrounding cities like Chennai. 

Om Namo Narayana
cradles tied for children vows

Ulagalandha Perumal 

Santha Narasimha perumal

Kal Dosai prasadam

End of chennai limits


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