Sri Neervannaperumal Temple, Thiruneermalai is one among the 108 Divyadesams and is located in Chennai (Thondai Nadu). The temple complex is in two parts – one at the base of the hill for the main deity Neervannan, housing shrines of his consort Animamalar Mangai thayar, Kalyana Ramar and Andal. Shrine for Anjaneya is to the right near to the steps leading to the hill shrine. The temple complex up the hill has three shrines for Ranganatha, Trivikrama, Narasimha and a shrine for Ranaganayaki Thayar. Thus the Lord appears in his three incarnations in this temple.
Brahmanda Purana refers this place ‘Thoyaadri‘, meaning a mountain surrounded by water which is the same as Thiruneermalai in Tamil. This temple is among the eight sacred Vishnu temples where he manifested himself called “Ashta swayam vyaktha kshetra“. The specialty of this temple is that Lord Vishnu is seen in four different poses of Standing/’Ninraan‘ (Neervana Perumal), Lying down/’Kidanthaan‘ (Sriranganathar), Sitting/’Irundhaan‘ (Narasimha) and walking/’Nadanthaan‘ (Trivikrama). According to the scriptures in the temple, it is said that worshipping here is equivalant to have visited four divya desams namely, Thirunaraiyoor,Thiruvaali,Thirukudanthai and Thirukovilur. Thirumangai Azhwar has glorified the temple highlighting this unique aspect of the temple while Bhoothathazhwar also composed a hymn praising the temple.
It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the dharshan of the Lord, but the mountain was fully surrounded by water. So he waited patiently for six months for all the water to drain and then went up the mountain and worshipped the Lord. According to another legend, Sage Valmiki worshipped the Lord in three poses up the hill. Then he came down from the mountain where Lord Vishnu gave darshan as Sri Rama along with Goddess Seetha, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Shatrugna, Sugriva and Hanuman.
The divyadesam is among the oldest hill temples and the only divyadesam where Lord Narasimha appears as Shantha moorthy. The temple is a prarthana sthalam for all problems and among the eight mukhti sthalams.
Temple facts:
| Dhivyadesam No. | 61 |
| Dhivyadesam Name | Thiruneermalai |
| Main Deity | Neervannar, Animamalar Mangai |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Thondai Nadu) |
| Architecture Style | Dravidian |
| Temple Age | 1000 – 2000 years |
| Azwars who did Mangalasasanam | Thirumangaiazhwar, Bhoothathazhwar |
| Divyaprabandam reference |
Thirumangaiazhwar : 1078 – 1087; 1115, 1521, 1554, 1660, 1765, 1848, 2069 – Peria Thirumozhi 2673 – 2674 Irandamayiram, Siriya Thirumadal, Iyarpa |
| Unique Specialties |
Lord Narasimha appears as Shanta Moorthy Worshipping here is equivalent to visiting 3 Dhivyadesams |
| Prayers made for |
Prarthana sthalam for all problems |
| Popular Events |
Brahmotsavam -Chittirai (Apr – May) Panguni Uttiram – Panguni (Mar- Apr) |
List of Temples in this series
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Rangarajan has been blogging for over 12 years now on various topics. With Thedal, he becomes one with the universe and he is hoping that his search will help him discover the eternal truth. Please join him as he traverses through the universe across temples, philosophies and science!
Very informative
Have visited the temple and had good darshan.A small mantap before entering the main temple ,sitting there will give immense peace and the wind that brushes your face will make us refreshed and feel the positive energy.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Very informative Ranga…its a wonderful temple and climbing the hill itself is an enjoyable experience!Jai Shriman Narayana!