Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil

Veeranarayana Perumal, Kattumannarkoil

Vaishnavite Temples, Cuddalore District

God

Veeranarayana Perumal facing east

Goddess

Maragathavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Narasimhar, Varahar, Nadhamuni, Aalavandhar

There are 5 wells inside the Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil temple and an expansive garden, which the great Nadhamuni used for his daily poojas for Veera Narayana Perumal. Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil has also been referred to as Veera Narayanan Chaturveda Mangalam and Thuvarapathi Mannan Thiru Koil.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Holy Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Nadhamuni (823 CE) who was responsible for collecting and compiling the 4000 Divya Prabhandhams was born here at Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil. He is also the author of Yogarahasya and Nyayatattva. This Village was created and gifted to the Scholars who were well versed in the Four Vedhas by Paranthaga Cholan I (10th century CE) and was thus called ‘Veera Narayana Sathurvethi Mangalam, and also renewed the temple. There are stone inscriptions that mention the temple’s existence even before this period. There are several inscriptions relating to Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil inside this temple and in other temples. Stone inscriptions from the Chola period refer to this place as Veera Narayanan Vinnagaram and during the times of Sundarapandyan as Mannanar. Krishna Deva Raya referred to the Lord here as Azhagiya Mannanar. During the rule of Kulothunga Chozha I it was referred to as Veera Narayana Puram. Sadayavarma Sundarapandyan who ruled between 1250 and 1274 is said to have done extensive renovations to Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil and installed the present deity. Cholas, Rayar and Nayakars have also contributed to the development of this important temple.

Legend

Lord Vishnu moved by the prayers of Jhirumbana Raja Maharishi made Goddess Mahalakshmi to be born as his child here at Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil. At a function (Swayamvaram) to find her a groom the Lord appeared in his Garuda Mount and took her away fighting and defeating the enraged kings present. Thus he was called Veera (courageous warrior) Narayana Perumal. The Lord guided Nathamuni to retrieve and compile (Kattum – showing the way). He came here as a king (Mannan in tamil). A combination of these became Kattumannarkovil. Sage Mathanga was cursed by Brahma for committing an error in vedic recitation. He came to the Srimushnam Temple to get relief. The lord appeared before him and wanted him to undertake penance near the Veda Pushkarini at Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil and then stayed there on the request of the sage.

Directions

Veeranarayana Perumal Kattumannarkoil is on the south eastern side of the Veeranam Lake and about 24 kilometers from Chidambaram.

Stay and Food

Tea and snack shops are available locally. Closest place for stay and food is Chidambaram.

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