Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple – Thiru Indalur

Presiding deity : Parimala Ranganathar, Suganthavana Nathar In a lying position, face on the east
Goddess mother : Parimala Ranganayaki, Chandrasaba Vimochanavalli
Holy spring : Indu Pushkarani
Place : Thiru Indalur
District : Nagapattinam

Chandra the Moon had the darshan of the Lord in this shrine

History:

Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple – Thiru IndalurFasting on Ekadasi day is very devotionally followed in many places in India, a tradition followed through centuries both by kings and the common men and women. It is a fasting submitted to Lord Narayana chanting his glory in silence and it is the hope that the reward would be very rich. After the New Moon or Full Moon day, the eleventh day is Ekadasi meaning 11th day.

King Ambarisha was following this Ekadasi fasting very sincerely. He was observing the 100th such fasting and there were elaborate arrangements for the Pujas in this connection.

While people on earth were happy about the King’s observation of the fasting, which gave them a peaceful and happy life, the subjects of the celestial world were annoyed that king Ambarisha may be awarded even the rulership of their world too for his sincere fasting. The power of the fasting is such even now, if devotionally undertaken as per prescribed rules.

To protect themselves from the threat of losing their position and command and respect,. the Devas, the subjects of the celestial world approached Sage Durvasa to prevent the fasting of the King. As per rules, after complete fasting on the Ekadasi Day, the devotee should eat on the next day called Dwadasi (12th day) before a fixed time. The fasting would be considered complete only if this is done on the Dwadasi day. Failing would result in the loss of effects of the fasting.

Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple – Thiru IndalurWhen the king was about to have his food on the Dwadasi day, sage Durvasa called on him. The king did not know the design of the sage. Receiving the sage with all respect due to him, King Ambarisha requested him to dine with him. The sage consented and said that he would be back after a dip in the river and asked him to wait till then. The intention of the sage was that if he returned late, the king could not complete the fasting by eating within the time and that he would lose the profit of the fasting.

Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple – Thiru IndalurOnly a little time was left to complete the fasting. Durvasa did not return. The king was hesitant to have his food, as he was afraid of the curse of Durvasa known for his hot temperament. The king consulted the pandits how to go ahead with the issue, as he was keen not to lose the fasting effect and also escape the fury of the sage in the meantime. They suggested that the King consumes a spoon of water with Tulsi leaf completing the fast and wait for the sage to dine with him. The sage understood the plan by his powers and flew into passion. The sage, in his fury, created a devil and ordered it to kill the king.

Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple – Thiru IndalurKing Ambarishan ran to the temple and surrendered at the feet of Parimalaranganatha Perumal for protection from the devil. The Lord drove the devil. Sage Durvasa, conceding his defeat apologized to the Lord. His pride disappeared. After the completion of the 100th fasting the Lord asked the King what he wanted.

The King sought the blessing of the Perumal for all the devotees calling on him and makes them ever happy. He asked nothing for him.

Reputation:

Belonging to the 108 Divyadesa temples, this is one with a five-tier tower measuring 350 feet long and 230 feet wide. The Chandra Pushkarani spring is in front of the temple. Planet Moon had a dip in the spring and got relieved of his curse. Chandra the moon worships the face of the Lord; Sun the feet and the naval Brahma. Cauvery worships the head; Ganga, King Ambarisha and Yama the lord of death worship the feet of the Lord here. Cauvery is considered more holy in this place than Ganga.

Festivals:

The Lord comes in procession on the Tamil New Year day, almost falling on April 14 of each year. During the month of Adi (July-August) Adi Pooram is celebrated for 10 days. In Avani month (August-September) a five day celebration is observed for Lord Kannan. Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October), Thula Brahmmotsavam in Ipasi (October-November), 20 days Vaikunda Ekadasi in Margazhi (December-January) Sankranti or Pongal in Thai (January-February), Brahmmotsavam in Panguni (March-April) are the important festivals in the temple. The daily Puja time is 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Thiru Indalur is 2 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai. Temple contact No. 04364 – 223 330. Nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai and airport Chennai.

Tiruvindaloor

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE
Location: Mayiladuturai
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Parimala Ranganathar
Taayaar: Parimala Ranganayaki
Theertham:Indu Pushkarini
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar
Vimaanam:Vedachakra Vimanam
Travel Base:Thanjavur df026.jpg (43723 bytes)
DescriptionThis Divya Desam is a beautiful temple at Indaloor a part of Mayiladuturai, known for its famous Shivastalam enshrining Mayuranathar. This is considered to be one of the Pancharangams, the other four being Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Srirangam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbhakonam (along the course of the river Kaveri).

Deities: The Moolavar here is Parimala Ranganathar also known as Maruviniya Maindan - an imposing 12 feet long image made of green stone. , and Sugandhavana Nathan, in a reclining posture facing east. Taayaar here is Parimala Ranganayaki or Chandrasaapa Vimochanavalli or Pudareekavalli. Images of Kaveri and Ganga are seen seated in the sanctum, as is an image of Santana Gopalakrishnan. Bhrahma is seen depicted on the wall. There are slso shrines to Yoga Narasimhar , Rama, Anjaneya, Suryan and Chandra.

This temple with tree prakarams has a 5 tiered rajagopuram and it faces east. The Dwajastampa mandapam and the Garuda Mandapam have beautifully sculptured pillars. The Garuda mandapam bears images of the 10 avatarams. It is believed that the offering worship to Santana Gopalan in the sanctum, would aid barren couples in begetting progeny.

Legends: Legend has it that the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas, and disappeared into the sea; Vishnu came down in the form of Matsya avataram and restored the vedas, and restored their fragrance, hence the name Sugandharanyam, and Parimala Ranganathar and Parimala Ranganayaki.

Legend also has it that Chandra (the moon) was cured of an affliction after bathing in the Kaveri and offering worship here.

Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day in the Pancharatra agama protocol. As with the Mayiladuturai Shivastalam, the entire month of Libra is one of festivites centered around the river Kaveri when festival image is taken every day in procession to the river Kaveri.

Karnatic Music Composer Muthuswamy Deekshitar's tribute to this shrine.

A haunting melody decorating the following text has been composed by the legendary composer Muthuswamy Deekshitar at this shrine. Listen to an audio recording of the author's rendition of this kriti.

Parimala Ranganatham bhajhe ham vIranutam paripaalita bhaktam pundareekavallinatham (I salute Parimala Ranganathan -- who is the protector of his devotees, the consort of Pundareekavalli and one who is adored by the brave)

Harim apraakritaakritim matsyaadi dasaakritim (who is Hari Vishnu who assumed the ten avatarams commencing with the matsya avataram)

Antaranga Sayanamabja nayanam Narayanam (who is the lotus eyed Narayana and is portrayed in a reclining form)

Guruguha viditam satatam Gunijanamuditam satatam (who is perceived by Guruguha and is worshipped by the good folks)

Parameswaram Rameswaram Meswaram Eswaram (who is the Lord of the Universe, the Lord of Rama, my Lord and the Lord)

Thiru Indhaloor - Sri Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Mayavaram

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This temple lies in the Tanjore district of TamilNadu. (Should cross the River Cauvery which is in the North direction to Mayuram town and the temple is in the Northeast direction to Mayuram.) or (By crossing the river Cauvery which is in the North side to the Mayuram town we cab reach this temple which is in the Northeastern direction to the town).

Sthala Puranam:

Indhu means moon. As perumal received Chandra (Moon) from his curse, this place is known as Indhaloor.

Lord Narayana gave dharsan as Vennchudar perumal in the standing posture to the Moon god in Thalaisangaadu. But here at this place he is in Veera Sayanam posture.

There he was full of light being as Vyomajyothi piran. But here he is full of fragrance (Parimalam) and hence he is called as Parimala Rangan. He has 4 hands here.

River Cauvery is under his feet here. As he promised river Cauvery to increase here status, he made her as his bed at Srirangam, took her as his mother at Thirucherai and here at Thiru Indhaloor, he has taken river Cauvery above his head. Thus gave her the status of river Ganges who is on the head of Lord Shiva.

As the perumal of this place, converted the position of river Cauvery and Lord Chandra into a pious state, Thirumangaialwar calls him as a Brahmin.

The vedas were created to instruct rules for human beings to lead a happy life. The Surya and Chandra revolve around the world to give prisperity (like wheels ie Chakra). Hence the vimaana of this place is called as Veda Chakra Vimaanam.

Sri Rangam is known as Aadhi Arangam (first) while Thirukudanthai is Madhiya Arangam (Middle) and Thiru Indhaloor is known as Andiya Arangam (Last).

Moolavar:

Sri Parimala Ranganathan in Kidantha Thirukkolam The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Parimala Ranganathan. Also called as Maru viniya Maindhan, Sugantha Vananathan, and Andhiya Rangan. He is giving his seva in Kidantha (Sleeping) Thirukkolam in Veera Sayanam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Chandiran (Moon god).

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Parimala Ranganayaki. Also known as Chandra shaba vimosana valli and Pundarigavalli.

Utsavam:

This temple is in the ceremonious mood throught the tamil month Ipasi. A handicapped devotee came to take bath and gained puniya equivalent to that gained on the Iyppasi month. This is celebrated every year as "Mudava Muzhuku" in a special manner.

Mangalasasanam:

* Thirumangaialwar - 11 Paasurams.
Total - 11 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Indu Pushkarani.

Vimanam:
Veda Chakra Vimaanam.