Navagriha Sthalams and Details

Benefits of Pooja

Thirunallaru Darbaranyeswarar

The town of Thirunallaru is situated in the Nagapattinam district close to the town of Nagapattinam itself. The main deity of the temple is the Lingam Darbaranyeswarar and the name of the Ambal is Pranambikai.

The Sthala vriksham of this temple is Darba (grass) and this temple is a famous Navagriha kshetram for Saneeswarar.

According to legends, Saneeswarar had promised Darbaranyeswarar that he would be kind in his treatment of Darbaranyeswarar 's devotees.

King Nala who was afflicted by Kalipurusha and lost his kingdom and separated from his family was advised by a sage to visit Darbaranyeswarar and pray to The Lord for relief. Nala is said to have bathed in the pond Nala Theertham before offering his prayers. Blessed with Nala's devotion, Darbaranyeswarar answered his prayers. Nala was soon reunited with his family and regained his kingdom.

Thiru Athanoor Aandalakkum Aiyan

Thirumangai Azhwar performed mangalasaasanam at this temple which is also the 9th Divya desam. 

According to the Sthala Puraanam, Perumal was tired after completing His creation work and giving everybody their dues. So, He laid down with the Marakkapadi (measuring instrument) for support in one hand.  The other hand holds onto the Olachuvadi and Ezhuthaani (Manuscript and Pen) in the other. Perumal Himself performed Samashrenam for Adiseshan in this Sthalam. This is the only temple where Adiseshan has the Conch and Chakram.

One can also find a gigantic idol of yoga narasimhar in this temple. 

The temple is open from 7 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 7 pm.

Pullumboothankudi Valvil Rama Swamy

The name of the thayar is Hemabja Nayika and this temple is the 7th Divya desam. The town is located within 3 kms of Swamy Malai.

Ramar rested here after giving salvation to Jatayu. The moolavar sannidhi shows Rama in a lying position with Lakshmana, Brahma and Jatayu. 

Thirumanikoodam Varadaraja Perumal

Varadaraja Perumal is the main deity of the temple in Thirumanikoodam. This temple is a Divya Desam around Thirunangur.

Keezhachalai Devanar Thogai

Keezhachalai Devanar Thogai is a Divya Desam near Thirunaangur and the main deity is Perumal in standing position with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar. There is a separate sannidhi for Madhava Nayaki Thayar.

Thirumangaimadam Veera Narasimhar

The presiding deity of the temple in Thirumangaimadam is Veera Narasimhar with Senkamalavalli Thayar. Thirumangai Azhwar and his wife Kumudavalli Thayar performed services here. This temple is also the Kula Deivam or Family Deity for Thirumangai Azhwar and the Ellai Devatha or Guardian Deity for the area. 

The temple is a Divya Desam and also one of the five Narasimhars (Pancha Narasimhar) around Thirunangur. It is open from 9 am - 11 am and from 5 pm - 7 pm.

Kaakalur Veera Anjaneyar

About 44 kms from Chennai, is the town of Kaakalur in Tiruvallur district. The main deity of the temple is Lakshminarayana sametha Veera Anjaneyar. 

The contact number for the temple is 04427661624. The temple is open from 6 am - 1 pm and from 3pm - 8 pm. 

Thiruvaali Lakshmi Narasimhar

The main deity of the temple in the town of Thiruvaali is Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal. Thiruvaali-Thirunagari is specified as one Divya Desam but it actually refers to two different temples in adjacent towns. Thirumangai Azhwar lived in Thiruvaali after being born in Thirukuraiyalur. 

The Narasimhar is in a seated position embracing Lakshmi to the right. Since the deity is in the embraced position the place is called "Thiru Aalinganam" or Thiruvaali. This Narasimhar is one of the Pancha Narasimhar or five Narasimhas in and around Thirunaangur.

Thiru Paarthanpalli Parthasarathy

The main deity of the temple in the town of Thiru Paarthanpalli is Parthasarathy with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There is a separate sannidhi with Arjuna and Krishna . 

In this temple there is a tank which Arjuna created with his arrows to quench the thirst of a sage. This is also the place where Arjuna or Partha was a student and obtained Divya Asthras. Hence this place obtained its name Parthan Palli

Currently this temple which is also a Divya Desam is being expanded with funds collected from devotees and the kumbabhishekam is expected to happen in 2014.

Thirukavalampadi Rajagopalaswamy

The main deity of Thirukavalampadi town's temple is Rajagopalaswamy with Rukmini and Sathyabhama - similar to the famous temple in Mannargudi. This sthalam is a Divya Desam.

Thirukuraiyalur Ugra Narasimhar

The town of Thirukuraiyalur is the birthplace or avatara sthalam of Thirumangai Azhwar. The main deity of this temple is Ugra Narasimhar with his consorts ShreeDevi and Bhoodevi. The name of the Thayar is Amrithavalli Thayar. This temple is a Divya Desam and is also considered to be a Navagriha Parihaara Sthalam.

The Narasimhar in this temple is one of the five Narasimhas in and around Thirunangur.

Annadaanam during Ammavaasai or New Moon day in this sthalam is considered to be a parihaaram for Pitrukaryam (rites for forefathers) that was not performed. Offering prayers at this temple is believed to remove obstacles for marriage.

Thirunagari Kalyana Ranganathar

This temple is in Thirunagari town and also known as Thirumangai Azhwar temple. This temple along with the temple in Thiruvaali are together considered as one Divya Desam. 

The Thirumangai Azhwar in this temple has a Vel given by Thirugnana Sambandar. Praying to The Lord here in kalyana kolam ensures speedy marriage. Devotees offer Kalyana Nela Maalai for marriage.

The temple also has two Narasimhas - Yoga Narasimha and Hiranya Narasimha in the praharams or corridor of the temple. These two Narasimhas along with Ugra Narasimha in Thirukuraiyalur, Veera Narasimha in Thirumangai Madam and ThiruVaali Lakshmi Narasimha are the Pancha Narasimhas that Thiru Mangai Azhwar established in and around Thirunangur after seeing the Nava Narasimha in Ahobilam.

Trip to Andhra temples in Ahobilam, Mantralayam, Srisailam

Three famous temple towns in Andhra are are Ahobilam, Mantralayam and Srisailam. The temples of Ahobilam and Srisailam are nestled among hills and the trek in Ahobilam to view the temples is challenging. We went on a 4 day trip to the above mentioned places

Day 1

• Start from Chennai in the morning.
• Reach Ahobilam in the evening.
• Darshan of Lakshmi Narasimha in the evening.

Day 2

• Darshan of Ahobila Narasimha, Varaha Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha, Sthambha Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Chatravata Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha. Bhargava Narasimha
• Start from Ahobilam by afternoon.
• Reach Mantralayam by night.

Day 3

• Darshan of Raghavendra Swamy.
• Start from Mantralayam in the morning.
• Reach Srisailam in the afternoon.
• Darshan of Mallikarjuna Swamy.

Day 4

• Start from Srisailam in the morning.
• Reach Chennai in the evening.

Trip Map:http://goo.gl/maps/7ml1i


Useful Contact/ Accomodation Information:

• Guide Krishnan:  +91 94416 90238 in Ahobilam for darshan and accommodation arrangement
• Sreekara Paradise, Near Temple, Mantralayam 518345, 08512-280047; Contact: Narayana - 09440591611; Venkat Raju - 09985812472 venkatraj9393@gmail.com
• Haritha Hotel - Srisailam, Police Station Road, Kurnool 518102, India
• APTDC (Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation) offers regular tour packages to Srisailam-Ahobilam and Mantralayam.

Chinnababasamudram Bade Sai

The Jeeva Samadhi of a Siddhar called Bade Sai is at place called Chinnababasamudram - almost midway along the route from Villupuram to Pondicherry. Bade Sai was born a Muslim but grew up to be an ardent devotee of Lord Arunachala.  Lord Arunachala - pleased with Bade Sahib's devotion appeared in person.

Gopura Vaasal for the Jeeva Samadhi

There is a temple of Lord Arunachala and Abithakuchamba adjoining the Jeeva Samadhi. The Sthala Vriksham is Nagalinga maram. There is also a Magizhampoo Maram in the temple which is of special significance. The Siva Lingam is unique in that the forms of two eyes, Trishul, Pillayar, Ambal, Kala Bhairava can be identified on the face of the Lingam.

Devotees wishing to get their prayers fulfilled can pray to Bade Sahib's Samadhi, offer food items like dates, biscuits etc as Neivedhyam and distribute the food items to the poor /needy just outside the temple after taking some as prasadam for oneself.

Thiruputkuzhi Vijayaraghava Perumal

This temple marks the place where Jatayu was given Moksha by Rama. The temple is located 8 kms from Kanchipuram towards Bengaluru on the Chennai-Bengaluru highway.

The name of the Perumal is Vijayaraghava Perumal. As Perumal is performing rites with his right hand, Sreedevi moves to the left of Perumal with her head slightly tilted whereas Bhoodevi who bears the heat is at the right of Perumal.

The name of the Thayar is Varuththa Payaru Mulaika Vaitha Maragadhavalli. On Amavasai, fried beans is offered as Neivedyam for Ambal and then tied to the stomach of ladies who are looking to get children. The women will then sleep overnight at the mandapam outside the Thayar sannidhi. If the beans sprout then the devotee can expect to become pregnant soon.