Thiru Thetri Ambalam

Thiru Thetri Ambalam (37/108)

Name	Thiru Thetri Ambalam
District	Nagapattinam
State	Tamil Nadu
Mangalasasanam	Thirumangai Azhwar
Position	Chozha Naadu (37/108)
Presiding deity	Vishnu
God	Palli Konda Perumal Palli Konda Ranganathar Senganmaal
Utsavar	Lakshmi Rangan Lakshmi Narayanan
Goddess	Shengamala Valli Naatchiyaar
Vimanam	Vedha Vimanam
Speciality	One of the 11 Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal Only Shrine among the 108 that is called as an “Ambalam” Ramanujar visited this shrine and had initiated 108 scholars into Sri Vaishnavam
Theertham	Surya Pushkarani
Worshipped by	The Rudran of The Saarva Peedam (The Fourth Rudran) Sridevi and Adhi Seshan
Temple timings	8AM to 11PM and 5PM to 7PM
Contact details

LORE:

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Palli Konda Perumal and His Devi is Shengamala Valli Naatchiyaar.

Why does the Sthalam go by the name of “Thiru Thetri Ambalam”?

“Thetri” has many meanings in Tamizh. (Thinnai, Maadam, Medu)

In this context, it means “Chithrakoodam” – A stage set for dancing.

The word “Ambalam” means “Temple” and this is the only temple among the 108 Divya Desangal that is called as an “Ambalam”

What is the lore of the temple?

The temple shares the common lore of all the 11 Thiru Nangur Shrines and Lord Palli Konda Ranganathar is said to have manifested to quell the anger of one of the Ekadasha Rudras, who emanated from the locks of the grief-stricken Lord Shiva, who danced the Pralaya Thandavam upon knowing the untimely demise of his then wife, Devi Sati.

Palli Konda Ranganathar is pacifying the sixth Rudra viz. the Rudra of the “Saarva Peedam” – who resides in a temple at Alli Vilaagam, presided by Lord Naaga Naadha Swamy and His Devi Nattrunai Nayaki.

The details of the story are elaborated “here”

How did The Lord come to this shrine?

Aeons ago, there was a fierce Demon called Hiranyakshan. He was so powerful that he stole the whole earth and hid Her in a place called Kalakeyapuram in the deepest recesses of Paathala Logam, which is the last of the 14 worlds.

All the Devas rushed to Ksheeraabdhi and prayed to Lord Vishnu to kill Hiranyakshan and to rescue Mother Earth from the trenches of Paathala Logam. The Lord conceded and was ready to take The Varaha Avatharam.

But, Devi Mahalakshmi and Adhi Seshan were upset. They couldn’t imagine Thiru Paarkadal without Him. So, they asked Him a solution to pacify their aching hearts during his absence.

The Lord then beseeched them to head to Palasa Vanam of Thiru Nangur and mediate at Thetri Ambalam. After rescuing Bhu Devi, He would come there to pacify the Rudran of The Saarva Peedam and will reunite with them at that shrine and bless His Devotees till the end of time, from there. Devi Mahalakshmi and Adhi Seshan followed his instructions to the letter and were meditating at Palasa Vanam.

The Lord then took the Varaha Avatharam, became a gigantic wild boar and plunged into the deepest trenches of Paathalam. He found Hiranyakshan, killed him and rescued mother Earth and hoisted Her in between his Tusks and brought her back to the surface.

As He had promised to Devi Mahalakshmi and Adhi Seshan, He came to Palasa Vanam and appeared in front of them. He then reclined on Adhi Seshan, and kept Devi Mahalakshmi as Sri Devi, near His Head and The Rescued Mother Earth as Bhu Devi near His feet and granted darisanam and pacified the Rudran of the Saarva Peedam and still blesses His devotees as Lord Palli Konda Ranganathar.

What is the connection between “Thetri Ambalam” and the dance of The Lord?

Ironically, The Lord is not seen in the dancing posture here (as the name of the shrine might suggest). He is in a reclining posture, lying down on Adhi Seshan. Perhaps this might lead one to assume that He could be taking rest after dancing His Cosmic dance and saving the world, or He could be lying down in deep contemplation of how to execute His next Leela.

But there is a very interesting tale as to how this shrine is associated with “Dance” of the Lord.

Commonly, the Avatharam of Lord Vishnu that is associated with Dance is The Krishna Avatharam. But this shrine is associated with the dance of The Lord in His Varaha Avatharam. Not many know the beauty of the dance of Lord Varaha.

This dance is beautifully described in Kaisiki Puranam, which is a part of the Varaha Puranam. Parasara Bhattar, the son of Koorathaazhwar, explains the dance in the line “Meru Gana Ganayathey” in the Kaisiki Puranam.

While the Lord took the form of Varaha Moorthy, He was so gigantic, that even the mighty Meru mountain, got stuck in his anklet like a pearl and started jingling according to the victory dance of His Legs.

The shrine is called as “Thetri Ambalam”, because Lord Varaha Moorthy came here dancing victoriously, after rescuing Mother Earth, gave Darisanam for Devi Mahalakshmi and Adhi Seshan and then assumed the reclining posture.

Thirumangai Azhwar also beautifully describes this dance in his Paasruams, while doing Mangalasasanam for The Lord of this shrine.

An excerpt from Thirumangai Azhwar Paasuram describing the dance of Lord Varaha:

“சிலம்பினிடைச் சிறுபரல்போல் 
பெரிய மேரு 
திருக்குளம்பில் கணகணப்பத் 
திருவா காரம் 
குலுங்க, நில மடந்தைதனை 
யிடந்து புல்கிக் 
கோட்டிடைவைத் தருளியவெங் 
கோமான் கண்டீர், 
இலங்கியநான் மறையனைத்து 
மங்க மாறும் 
ஏழிசையும் கேள்விகளு 
மெண்டிக் கெங்கும், 
சிலம்பியநற் பெருஞ்செல்வம் 
திகழும் நாங்கூர்த் 
திருதெற்றி யம்பலத்தென் 
செங்கண் மாலே”

Behold, My Lord, the mighty Varaha Moorthy, in whose anklet the imposingly magnificent mountain called Meru, got stuck like beads of pearls and started to jingle and make musical noise, in accordance to the dancing movements of His Hooves. Behold, The Lord who rescued Mother Earth and bought Her back by hoisting her in between his tusks. Such a mighty Lord Varaha, resides in this Shrine called Thetri Ambalam as “Lord Senganmaal”, in Thiru Nangur, which is always surrounded by Vedic Chants, Music and fest, riches and prosperity in all the eight directions.

What are the 14 worlds and where is Paathalam?

The 14 worlds are divided into seven upper and seven lower worlds

1	Sathya Logam
2	Tapa Logam
3	Jana Logam
4	Makara Logam
5	Svar Logam
6	Bhuvar Logam
7	Bhu Logam
8	Athala Logam
9	Vithala Logam
10	Suthala Logam
11	Talaathala Logam
12	Mahathala Logam
13	Rasaathala Logam
14	Paathaala Logam

The denizens of the Lower seven worlds:

Lower World	Ruler	Inhabitants
Athala Logam	Bala, A son of Maya	Enchantresses (Svarini, Kamini, Punshchali)
Vithala Logam	The Deities Bhava & Bhavani	Ganas, Ghosts, Goblins
Suthala Logam	Bali Chakravarthy	–
Talaathala Logam	Maya, the Demon Architect
Mahathala Logam	The Krodhavasha serpents (Kuhaka, Takshaka, Sushena, Kaliya)	The many headed serpents who are the children of Katru
Rasaathala Logam	–	Dhanavas and Daithyas
Paathala Logam	Serpent king Vasuki	Jewelled serpents

Who was this Hiranyakshan and how is he related to The Lord?

Lord Brahma had four Manas Putras (sons born out of mind). They were Sanakar, Sanathanar, Sanandhanar and Sanath Kumarar. They appeared like children, but were learned and revered, pious saints of great prowess and virtue.

They went to Sri Vaigundam (108/108) to have a darisanam of The Lord Vaigunda Naadhan. But they were stopped at the heavenly gates of Sri Vaigundam (108/108), by the two gate-keepers Jayan and Vijayan. These two gate-keepers were the sons of a Deva called Kali, who was the son of Varuna Dev. They were so drunk with pride about their position of being the guardians of the door to Sri Vaigundam (108/108) and of their proximity to The Lord, that they thought less of the four saints who came asking for entry into the celestial abode of The Lord. They blatantly refused to allow the four saints inside, saying that The Lord was asleep and could not be disturbed.

The angered Saints cursed them for their insolence. They cursed them that they will be separated from their Lord. This made the dastardly duo realise their folly. They understood that The Lord was always available to His devotees. Their pride was reduced to cinders. They pleaded to the four saints to take back the curse. But the saint told them that the curse will definitely happen and all they could do now is reduce the severity of the curse.

The saints gave Jayan & Vijayan two options. They could either be born as The Lord’s devotees for seven births on earth, pray to Him and be in His servitude and then resume their position as Gate-keepers or be born as The Lord’s sworn enemies for three births and be killed by Him and then reach His celestial abode to do their duties as Guardians of the Gate.

Jayan 7 Vijayan could not bear the thought of being separated from The Lord for seven births and hence chose the second option, to be born as His enemies and be slain by Him, but only for three times, as they could reach His abode earlier and continue to be His gate Keepers.

The curse materialised and the events that unfolded gave rise to numerous Avatharangal of The Lord.

Aeon	Jayan	Vijayan	Parents	Killed by
Sath Yug	Hiranya Kashipu	Hiranya Aksha	Sage Kashyap and Diti	Lord Narasimha killed Hiranya Kashipu & Lord Varaha killed Hiranya Aksha respectively
Treta Yug	Ravana	Kumbhakarna	Vishrava and Kaikesi	Lord Rama
Dwapara Yug	Shishupala	Danta Vakra	Damagoshan & Sruthasharvai (J) Vriddhashraman & Sruthadevai (V)	Lord Krishna

What are the other specialities of the shrine?

• This is the only shrine among the 108 which is called as “Ambalam”
• The Lord is said to be the manifestation of Sri Rangam (01/108) Ranganathar
• Shengamala Valli Naatchiyaar is housed in a separate shrine as Thani Kovil Naatchiyaar
• The Vimaanam is named as Vedha Vimanam to symbolise that The Lord is the beginning and the end of all knowledge that is given in the Vedhas
• Ramanujar is said brought 108 scholars and initiated them into Sri Vaishnavam, in this shrine

Our Experience:

We had visited this shrine thrice, and though we were able to see The Lord only two times, both the times, we had a magnificent darisanam. This too is designed as a Maada Kovil. The sanctum sanctorum houses Lord Senganmaal, who is reclining on The Adhi Seshan, with four arms, with Sridevi at His head-end and Bhu Devi at His foot-end. Shengamala Valli Naatchiyaar is housed in a separate shrine as Thani Kovil Naatchiyaar. The ancient nature of the deity is so apparent when we worship Him. He is described to have Lotus-like Red eyes (Hence the name, Lord Senganmaal).

The first time we saw Him was on an exploratory visit to Thiru Nangur. We missed seeing Him during the Garuda Sevai Festival (which was our second visit to the temple) as we went late and the main shrine was closed as the Lord had left to attend the festival.

The third time was unique as we had undertaken the daunting task of completing all the 11 Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal in one evening (and we actually succeeded in visiting all of them because of the blessings of The Lord).

We started at Thiru Kaavalam Paadi (27/108) at 1748 Hrs and finally finished at Thiru Paarthan Palli (40/108) at 2028 Hrs. We also saw the painting on the temple wall which depicts the temple lore clearly and then understood the actual story of the shrine. We received the blessings of Lord Palli Konda Ranganathar and left with loads of endearing memories.

See you folks at the next temple in the Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal – Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram (29/108)

Loads of love,

Karthick and Rahul.