Thirukkurungudi
Encyclopedia
Thirukurungudi is a town which is located in Tirunelveli district
, Tamil Nadu
, South India. The taluk of Thirukurungudi is Nanguneri and it belongs to Nanguneri Assembely. At the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of Cape Comerin, Thirukurungudi is a village with history dating back more than 1000 years. Village life revolves around agriculture and the Nambi Rayar temple. It is one of the 108 Divya desam, Hindu
temples that are sacred for the Vaishnavites.
Rice was the major crop until 15 years ago as there was plenty of rainfall and the River Nambi fed the irrigation cha,nels for almost 9 months a year. With advancement in technology to tap ground water and rain becoming scarce, plantains have become a major crop. Almost every household has something related to agriculture, either directly or through the Nambi Rayar temple.
The tank in Thirukurungudi is the first place where pristine water from Western Ghats is stored and fed for agriculture through five canals. The pond is a biodiversity hotspot supporting various forms of life from fish, birds, insects, plants, toads and an occasional python.
Nambi Rayar temple is one of the "108 Divyadesams" according to the Vaishnava mythology. Recently removing Lord Shiva from this temple created some sparks both in the village and in politics of the state. The walls of the temple resemble a big fort and the village has been formed around these walls in a very organized manner. Indian space ISRO plant Mahinragri Hills 18 km in Thirukkurungdi.Mosque located near river.
Thirukurungudi is approachable by road. Distance is 45 km from Tirunelveli, 15 km from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 km from Valliyoor. Lord Sri Azhagiya Nambi Temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets). The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar.
There are five Nambis in this Kshetram. They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located very near to the River Nambiyaru one km from the main temple. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 km from the main temple. In Tamil language the word "nambi" means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace. There was a belief that this temple was under the control of king of tiruvangur. One day some 200 thiefs decided to take the gold from the temple: at that time 5 brothers named thammba theavar from ramnad came there with their team, they protected the temple from thieves. So tiruvanguur maharaja decided to give the temple under the control of tamba theavar, and also gave a title thalaivar to the thambatheavar's family. He gave the whole temple's property to the tamba thalaivar family semmpu pattayam as evidence. To respect the service of tamba thalaivar family they are honoured with "pattam kattuvathu" during "thear thiruvilla". Still the family of thambathalaivar is living with the family name of thalaivar in the village "nambithalaivan pattayam".
Then Nampaduvan went to Rakshas and offered himself to be eaten by Rakshas. Rakshas was very much moved by the behaviour of Nampaduvan and told him that his hunger had vanished and prayed him to give the fruits of his song sung in the praise of Lord Nambi and persisted him several times. Nampaduvan did not budge an inch, but ultimately offered him the fruits of his song since Brahma Rakshas totally surrendered. After obtaining the fruits of the song, the sin of Rakshas disappeared suddenly and he got his original image. He worshiped Nampaduvan and thanked him by saying that he was a Brahmin by name Soma Sarma in his previous birth and because of some irregularities while performing yagna he was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshas and now he had been redeemed by Nampaduvan.
This episode is being enacted in the Temple premises every year on the Ekadasi day of Sukla paksha Karthigai by the traditional performers who observe vratha for ten days. On the next day in the early morning of Dwadasi Kaisika Puranam is read out in front of Lord Nambi.
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature; kurinji , mullai , marudham , neithal and palai...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, South India. The taluk of Thirukurungudi is Nanguneri and it belongs to Nanguneri Assembely. At the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of Cape Comerin, Thirukurungudi is a village with history dating back more than 1000 years. Village life revolves around agriculture and the Nambi Rayar temple. It is one of the 108 Divya desam, Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temples that are sacred for the Vaishnavites.
Rice was the major crop until 15 years ago as there was plenty of rainfall and the River Nambi fed the irrigation cha,nels for almost 9 months a year. With advancement in technology to tap ground water and rain becoming scarce, plantains have become a major crop. Almost every household has something related to agriculture, either directly or through the Nambi Rayar temple.
The tank in Thirukurungudi is the first place where pristine water from Western Ghats is stored and fed for agriculture through five canals. The pond is a biodiversity hotspot supporting various forms of life from fish, birds, insects, plants, toads and an occasional python.
Nambi Rayar temple is one of the "108 Divyadesams" according to the Vaishnava mythology. Recently removing Lord Shiva from this temple created some sparks both in the village and in politics of the state. The walls of the temple resemble a big fort and the village has been formed around these walls in a very organized manner. Indian space ISRO plant Mahinragri Hills 18 km in Thirukkurungdi.Mosque located near river.
Thirukurungudi is approachable by road. Distance is 45 km from Tirunelveli, 15 km from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 km from Valliyoor. Lord Sri Azhagiya Nambi Temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets). The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar.
There are five Nambis in this Kshetram. They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located very near to the River Nambiyaru one km from the main temple. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 km from the main temple. In Tamil language the word "nambi" means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace. There was a belief that this temple was under the control of king of tiruvangur. One day some 200 thiefs decided to take the gold from the temple: at that time 5 brothers named thammba theavar from ramnad came there with their team, they protected the temple from thieves. So tiruvanguur maharaja decided to give the temple under the control of tamba theavar, and also gave a title thalaivar to the thambatheavar's family. He gave the whole temple's property to the tamba thalaivar family semmpu pattayam as evidence. To respect the service of tamba thalaivar family they are honoured with "pattam kattuvathu" during "thear thiruvilla". Still the family of thambathalaivar is living with the family name of thalaivar in the village "nambithalaivan pattayam".
Kaisika Puranam
Thirukurungudi is a very ancient village referred in Varaha Puranam and Brahmanda Puranam. Kaisika Puranam is within Varaha Puranam and was narrated by Varaha Nainar (Third incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu) to Sri Bhoomi Devi. Nampaduvan (Madangar) was a great devotee of Lord Nambi, though he was born in a very low class society. He used to sing in praise of the Lord Nambi. One day, on Sukla Ekadasi night in the month of Karthigai (Vrichika masam), he was going to Temple crossing through a dense forest. He was encountered by a Brahma Rakshas (Demon) who was hungry for many days. On seeing Nampaduvan, Brahma Rakshas was very happy and told him that he wanted to eat him immediately. Nampaduvan was not terrified, but told Brahma Rakshas that he would finish his duty first, that is to sing in praise of Lord Nambi and would return without fail. Nampaduvan made many promises, but Rakshas was adamant. Ultimately Nampaduvan had made a promise that if he did not return, he would get the sin of those who equate Lord Maha Vishnu with other deities. On hearing this promise Brahma Rakshas was very much satisfied and allowed Nampaduvan to do his duty and return. After singing in praise of the Lord Nambi in the Ragam (tune) Kaisikam Nampaduvan was returning to see Rakshas. On the way Lord Nambi in the guise of an old man stopped Nampaduvan and asked him where he was going. Nampaduvan told the truth. The old man advised him to escape in some other route and not to get in the clutches of Rakshas. But Nampaduvan reiterated that he would not deviate from his promise. The old man showed his original image (Lord Nambi) and blessed Nampaduvan.Then Nampaduvan went to Rakshas and offered himself to be eaten by Rakshas. Rakshas was very much moved by the behaviour of Nampaduvan and told him that his hunger had vanished and prayed him to give the fruits of his song sung in the praise of Lord Nambi and persisted him several times. Nampaduvan did not budge an inch, but ultimately offered him the fruits of his song since Brahma Rakshas totally surrendered. After obtaining the fruits of the song, the sin of Rakshas disappeared suddenly and he got his original image. He worshiped Nampaduvan and thanked him by saying that he was a Brahmin by name Soma Sarma in his previous birth and because of some irregularities while performing yagna he was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshas and now he had been redeemed by Nampaduvan.
This episode is being enacted in the Temple premises every year on the Ekadasi day of Sukla paksha Karthigai by the traditional performers who observe vratha for ten days. On the next day in the early morning of Dwadasi Kaisika Puranam is read out in front of Lord Nambi.