Renganadar Aadhirengam

Vaishnavite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Renganadar, facing east

Goddess

Renganayaki Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Anjaneya, Varadaraja Perumal, Aandal, Azhwars, Kothanda Rama with Lakshmana and Sita, Krishna, Durga, Chakrathazhwar

Renganadar Aadhirengam is a large east-facing temple situated on the south bank of the Then Pennai River. The entrance is through a gateway mandapam on the east side. The inside walls of this Mandapam have some beautiful carvings from the epic of Ramayana. The temple is surrounded by a tall compound wall on all sides. The outer Prakaram is large and has many trees. In the northeast corner is a large 4 tiered circular grain storage structure. There are 2 very tall pillared Mani Mandapams, one in front of the entrance to the inner Prakaram and another one on the side of the grain storage. A Mukha Mandapam is in front of the 3 tiered gopuram that is on top of the entrance to the inner Prakaram. This Prakaram is covered on all sides and top and has cloistered mandapams on the sides. The goddess shrine and other shrines are in this Prakaram. Outside the entrance to the goddess, shrine are seen Dwarapalakis, Jayashree, and Vijayashree. The goddess is in a sitting posture. A large Mahamandapam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity, followed by a smaller mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, and the Sanctum Sanctorum. Dwarapalakas, Jayan, and Vijayan are seen on either side of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum. The sanctum is a large one and houses one of the largest reclining Renganadar idols. The 29 feet long Renganadar idol is seen here reclining on a bed created by the multiheaded snake Adhisesha with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi sitting near the head and feet of the Lord. Garuda is seen praying near the feet of the main deity. Brahma is seen on a lotus coming out of the umbilicus of the main deity. A silver-plated mace is present near the hand of the main deity. Outside the sanctum sanctorum on the north side is a shrine with the large feet of the Lord. A temple tank is on the southeast side of the temple and a small Rama Temple is right in front. The Then Pennai river flows immediately north of Renganadar Aadhirengam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Chandra Pushkarini, Then Pennai River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai (Punnagam – Calophyllum inophyllum)

Vimaanam – Chandomayam

History

Renganadar Aadhirengam is an ancient temple as old as the 108 Divya Desam Temples. Vijayanagar Kings have rendered services to this temple. Many inscriptions are found here, but the details of the same are not available as of now. Renganadar Aadhirengam is mentioned in Skandapuranam over six chapters as Uthira Renga Mahatmeyam. The palm leaf manuscripts of Skanda Purana were discovered in a library in Katmandu, Nepal in 1898. These manuscripts are scientifically dated back to the 8th century CE, suggesting that the texts were existing earlier to that period.

Legend

Lord Vishnu is believed to have preached the Vedas to Brahma here at Renganadar Aadhirengam after retrieving it from an Asura called Somukha who was hiding in the ocean. Chandra (God of Moon) is believed to have purified himself in the Chandra Pushkarini here at Renganadar Aadhirengam and regained his lost sheen after a curse by one of his wives. A king called Suruthakeerthi who was childless performed many rituals in various temples fruitlessly. He finally came here purified himself with a bath at the Chandra Pushkarini and was blessed with children. The Lord is believed to be present here at the request of the Devas and he asked the divine sculptor Vishwakarma himself to create his idol here.

Directions

Renganadar Aadhirengam is about 20 kilometers west of Thirukovilur. From Thirukovilur take the road to Manalurpet. At Manalurpet take a left towards the south, cross the Then Pennai River and take a right to reach Renganadar Aadhirengam.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops in Manalurpet and Thirukovilur. The closest is Villupuram.

Vaishnavite Temples

Renganadar, Aadhirengam