Renganadar Namakkal

Renganadar, Namakkal

Vaishnavite Temples - Namakkal District

God

Renganadar, facing east

Goddess

Renganayaki, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Anjaneya, Vishwaksenar

Renganadar Namakkal is an east-facing temple situated on the eastern face of the Namakkal Fort Hill. A straight flight of steps leads to the temple. Below the steps is a small shrine for Veera Anjaneya and a stone Dwajasthambam. At the top, the temple is in an open Prakaram. There is another stone Dwajasthambam followed by a Balipeedam and Flagstaff. This is followed by an elevated Maha mandapam with a beautiful Garuda Mandapam at its eastern edge and with many carved pillars. This mandapam leads inside the sanctum sanctorum which is hewn on the side of the hill as a cave. The cave has 3 cells with two pillars and two pilasters in the front. The main deity is seen in a reclining posture on a bed made by the coils of the serpent Karkodaga. Around the 10 feet long idol are a host of celestials including Narada, Surya, Markandeya, Tumburu, Brahma on the lotus, and others. There are carvings on the side walls of Vamana Avatar, Narasimha, and Shankaranarayana. In a separate shrine on the south side of the sanctum sanctorum is Goddess Renganayaki. This shrine also has a large elevated Mahamandapam in the front. On the north side is a pond in a depression in the rock.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Theertham Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Renganadar Namakkal is considered to have been built during the 8th century by the Adhiyaman King Gunaseela along with the Narasimha Temple on the other side of the hill. Inscriptions found here confirm this and refer to the temple and lord as Atiyanaatha Vishnu Graham, Athiyendra Vishnu Graham, and Sayya Griham. Later additions including the Mahamandapam and the goddess shrine were constructed by the Vijayanagar Kings. The Namakkal Fort was built during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai in the 17th century CE. This fort has been under the occupation of the Britishers and Tipu Sultan at some points in time.

Legend

Karkodaga, the serpent king is believed to have performed penance here at Renganadar Namakkal to receive the status of being a bed for Lord Vishnu to rest on. The Lord granted the boon and is seen here resting on Karkodaga, unlike other places where he is seen reclining upon Adisesha.

Directions

Renganadar Namakkal is in the center of Namakkal Town on the east side of Namagiri Hill. Namakkal is about 50 kilometers south of Salem, 50 kilometers southeast of Erode, and 85 kilometers northwest of Thiruchirapalli.

Stay and Food

Namakkal has a few places for stay and food. Hotel Ananda Bhavan in the street opposite the Namagiri Thaayar Namakkal temple is an old place that serves decent food.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples