019. Thiru Thanjaimaamani Koil - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple, Tanjore

About the Temple & Location:

This temple is in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It's in the banks of the river Vennaaru and its about 2 1/2 miles away from the Tanjore railway station. Bus facilities are provided and staying facilities are furnished.

Sthala Puranam:

Tanjore is the capital of the Chola Kingdom. Parasara Maharishi's and all the other rishi's wanted to get dharsan of Lord Narayana down in this earth and hence the Lord sat on the bank of the river vinnaaru now vennaaru which is a pious river flowing with Amudhan (the drink bringing eternity) tin the Vishnuloga. This is the story behind the formation of the Tanjore Maamani Koils.

It's also said that the Viraja river flowing in the Vishnu Lokam has changed as Vennaary here.

As the Utsavar, Sriman Narayanan is considered as to be the king of this whole universe, he has the Sengol (Baton) in his hand.

Inside the main sannadhi of Thanjai Maamani Koil Moolavar (Garbagraham), we can find dancing idol of Lord Krishna, Venkatesa perumal in his marriage dress along with his two wives and Lord Varadharaja perumal.

Outside the Moolavar Sannathi, we can dharsan Lakshmi Narasimar containing godess Lakshmi devi in his right lap, Andal Naachiyar and Vishvakshenar.

Thaayar Senkamalavalli Nachiyar has a seperate sannadhi. Outside the Thaayar sannadhi, there is one pillar in which one side Yoga Narasimar is portraited whereas on the other side Lord Aanchaneya (Hanuman) isfound. It is said that if we come around and pray the Narasima and Aanchaneya continuosly for 108 times, all our wishes would be granted immediately.

Towards the right side of the Thaayar sannadhi there is Vedhanta desigan saanthi which is said to be set up his own son Nayinaaraachariyar.

There is a beautiful story regarding the Thanjai Yazhinagar perumal.

Parasa Maharishi along with other rishi's was living here. Deomns destroyed their yagnas and gave the rishi's lots of troubles. Among them Tharagan, Thandagan and Thanjagan were particular in their tasks. Kaalidevi (Wife of Lord shiva) killed almost all the Demons. But somehow Thanjagan escaped from her and started to trouble the rishi's. So as an answer to the prayer of rishi's Lord Narayana took the form of Narasimha once again and killed the demon. It is to be noted that Thaaragan and Thandagan was killed by Kaali during the period of Krishna avathar but Lord Narayana took the form of Narasima which is 4th avathaar. So this Yazhinagar Narasimar is very special.

In rememberance of Thanjakasuran this palce is called Tanjore Nagar, and the Thaayar Thanjai Naayaki.

The Vedas say that Lord Narayana would take any form at any time to protect his devotees. And the above case proves it. As the meaning of Vedas is explained here, the Vimaanam of this place is Vedasundara vimaanam.

The Vimaanam of Thanjai Maamani Koil is beautifully carved and hence gets it name Soundaraja vimaanam. And as the perumal stands as a hill of with a grace on glare of pearls and stones in Manikundra perumal Koil its vimaanam has the Manikooda vimaanam.

Specials:

This Divyadesam is a collection of 3 temples each within a distance of about one mile. All the Three Perumals are in sitting posture and all the Three Utsavars are named as "Sriman Narayanan" only. The above 3 Temples are

      1.       Thanjai Maamani Koil.

      2.       Thanjai Manikundra Perumal Koil.

      3.       Thanjai Yazhinagar Koil.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in Sitting position facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Parasara Maharishi.

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Senkamalavalli.

Utsavar:

The Utsavar of this sthalam is Sriman Narayanan.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangaialwar - 3 Paasurams

• Nammalwar - 1 Paasuram

• Bhoodathalwar - 1 Paasuram.
  Total - 5 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

• Amirtha Theertham.

• Kannika Pushkarani.

• Vennaru.

Vimanam:
Soundarya Vimaanam.