March 2020 – Meandering Duo

Thiru Nagari

Thiru Nagari (35B/108)

Name	Thiru Nagari
District	Nagapattinam
State	Tamil Nadu
Mangalasasanam	Thirumangai Azhwar Kulasekara Azhwar
Position	Chozha Naadu (35/108)
Presiding deity	Vishnu
God	Vedharajan Vayalali Manavaalan
Utsavar	Kalyana Ranganathan
Goddess	Amrithavalli Naatchiyaar
Vimanam	Ashtaakshara Vimaanam
Speciality	Thiru Nagari and Thiruvaali together are considered as a single Divya Desam Two of the Narasimha Moorthy’s of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal are in the temple complex of Thiru Nagari The Lord is seated as Ranganathar in the wedding attire on top of wheat sacks as is the tradition during marriage Closely associated with the Eleven Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal Vedupari Utsavam is also associated with this shrine The incredible Moorthy of Thirumangai Azhwar, the spear given to him by Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Motif of Sri Ramanuja at the base of the Moorthy, the Needila Muttram and the twin Dwaja Sthambams (Flag-post)
Theertham	Latchani Pushkarani
Worshipped by	Karthama Prjapathy Thirumangai Azhwar
Temple timings	7AM to 12PM and 4PM to 8PM
Contact details

LORE:

What is the lore of the temple?

Karthama Prajapathi was the son of Lord Brahma and he desired the darisanam of Lord Vishnu and wanted to attain salvation. The Lord was playful with His devotee and delayed from giving him darisanam. This irked Devi Mahalakshmi and she left Vaikundam and came to Thiru Nagari (35B/108) and hid herself in one of the Lilly flowers in the pond. The Lord came in search of Her. As all the Lilly flowers were closed, he could not find out the flower which Devi had chosen to hide. He then closed His right eye (which symbolises The Sun) and opened His left eye (Which symbolises the moon). Being exposed to the moonlight, all the Lilly flowers bloomed open, but Devi refused to budge in anger and her flower alone remained closed. The Lord then went to that flower and scooped Devi out and hugged her.

He also told Her that Karthama Prajapathi will be blessed in Kali Yug and that Devi will be instrumental in guiding him to the path of salvation.

Karthama Prajapathi was born in Treta Yug as King Uparisharavasu and was flying across this region in this Pushpaka Vimanam. The chariot stopped flying once it reached Thiru Nagari (35B/108). The king realised the sanctity of the shrine and prayed to The Lord at this shrine for salvation.

The Lord told him that his salvation will be given in due time. The King was then born in Dwapara Yugam as “Sangabaalan”, the son of a royal minister. Reminiscent of his previous birth, he too journeyed to Thiru Nagari (35B/108) and prayed to the Lord for salvation.

The Lord then revealed to him the purpose of his life and blessed him that he will attain moksha in Kali Yug, where he will be born as Neelan, the son of a war-chieftain. Neelan eventually becomes Thirumangai Azhwar and after doing his irreplaceable Seva to The Lord, finally attains Moksha at Thiru Kurungudi (79/108)

Thirumangai Azhwaar – The Scintillating Sensation

Thirumangai Azhwaar, whose birthname was “Neelan” was called as “Aali Naadan” as he ruled the hamlets surrounding this shrine. Neelan was born as the son of a war-chieftain in Thiru Kurayalur (One of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal).

But, our tale about the most sensational devotee of The Lord begins at Thiru Vella Kulam (39/108). Kumudhavalli was one of the divine damsels who used to come from Devalok to this shrine to pluck “Kumudham” flowers (White Lilly) in the Swetha Pushkarani at Thiru Vellakulam (39/108) for their prayers and leave back. They used to do this in secrecy. One fine day, Kumudhavalli Naatchiyaar takes a little longer to pluck the flowers. The rest of the Apsaras leave. Just when Kumudhavalli is about to depart for Devalok, she is seen by a mortal man. Because of this, she loses her ability to ascend to Devalok and is destined to stay back at Thiru Vella Kulam. A physician adopts her as his daughter and she lives in this Shrine, in prayers.

Neelan (who eventually becomes Thirumangai Azhwar), the war-chief of the Chozha king, happens to see her during one of his escapades and falls instantly in love. He expresses his desire to marry Kumudhavalli to her adopted father. The physician requests him to ask his daughters consent.

Kumudhavalli consents but places a condition. She says that she will marry him only if he is able to feed (Anna Dhaanam) 1000 Devotees per day for one full year and tells him that she will marry only a Vaishnavaite. Thus, it is at Thiru Vella Kulam (39/108) the love-saga of Neelan and Kumudhavalli kickstart.

Neelan agrees to the condition and travels to Thiru Naraiyur (14/108) and prays to Lord Naraiyur Nambi to accept him as a Vaishnavaite. The Lord concedes to his request and does “Mudhra Dhanam” – the act of imprinting The conch and the Chakra symbols on the two arms of a disciple done by a guru, which marks the acceptance of the disciple as a true Vaishnavaite. The Lord Naraiyur Nambi, to this date, stands with tow hands holding His Panjanayanyam Conch and His Sudarshanaa Chakram in the position of Mudhra Dhanam as a testimony to having imprinted and accepted Neelan.

Neelan, now an ardent Vaishnavite, returns home and starts feeding 1000 people per day, at the nearby village called “Mangai Madam”. A year rolls by and finally Kumudhavalli gets married to Neelan with much fanfare.

Neelan is so habituated to the joy of feeding 1000 people per day and desires to continue it. But soon his resources dry up and he is on the verge of becoming penniless and consequently unable to continue his dharma.

He refuses to pay the tax to the Chozha king. He is then taken as a prisoner and jailed. Lord Varadharajan of Kanchipuram appears in his dream and tells him a way to settle his debts and calls him to Kanchipuram. The Lord guides Neelan to a treasure hidden on the banks of the river Vedhavathi. He settles the debt owed to the Chozha king and resumes his daily routine of feeding 1000 people.

Soon his resources get exhausted and he resorts to burglary to acquire money from the rich to continue his seva. He becomes a notorious brigand. He had 4 trusted henchmen to help him with his nefarious pilferage.

Neeril Nadappaan – the one who walks on water
Nizhalil odhunguvaan – The one who lurks in the shadows
Thaazh Oodhuvaan – The Blower of Locks
Tholaa Vazhakkan – The Vanquisher of disputes

He then raids those who have amassed wealth and uses the money to continue his daily ritual of feeding 1000 devotees at Mangai Madam.

Devi Mahalakshmi observed all these happening and became keen on blessing Neelan (Thirumangai Azhwaar) and requested Her Lord to concede. The Lord then revealed His desire to intercept Neelan and to reform him.

Meanwhile, Sage Poorna was meditating in Thiruvaali seeking the blessing of becoming a parent. The Goddess herself was born as Amrithavalli to the pious Sage Poorna. (She is also referred to as Poornavalli, the Daughter of Sage Poorna)

When She reached marriageable age, She was betrothed to Lord Vayalali Manavaalan of Thiru Nagari. The marriage happened in Thiruvaali and the couple were travelling back to Thiru Nagari, in a palanquin. The news of the grand wedding and the riches of the groom and bride were conveyed to Neelan by his trusted henchmen

Around midnight the palanquin carrying the newlyweds, reached the placed called “Thirumanangollai” (Vedharajapuram). Neelan comes on his majestic steed named “Aadal Maa Puravi” and scares everyone carrying the palanquin and the co-travellers away.

He then forces the newlywed couple out of the palanquin and asks them to surrender all their riches. Vayalaali Manavaalan and Amrithavalli duly comply. He bundles up all the jewels and then notices a toe-ring on the right foot of the groom. He demands that too. The groom replies that He is unable to remove it. Neelan then removes it using all his force and adds it to the other stolen goods. He tries to carry the bundle of riches, but is unable to even move it an inch, let alone lift it.

He then accuses the groom of sorcery and asks Vayalaali Manavaalan to reveal the mantra He has used to make the bundle of riches so heavy. The Lord smirks and then agrees to tell Neelan the Mantra.

Under the Peepal tree, The Lord Vayalaali Manavaalan gives the Mantra-Upadesam of the Ashtakshara Mantra to Neelan and the moment the words “Om Namo Narayanaya” reach his ears, the karma of Neelan melt and He realises the true purpose of his life. He sings in praise of the Lord and relinquishes his ways of larceny and pilferage.

He becomes Thirumangai Azhwaar.

(To this date, the events of the wedding at Thiruvaali and the divine interception at Vedharajapuram are celebrated annually on Panguni Uthiram (March-April) as “Vedupari Utsavam”)

Thirumangai Azhwaar then embarks on a pilgrimage visiting innumerable temples across the length and breath of the nation. He finally retires at Thiru Kurungudi (79/108) at Thiru Mangai Azhwaar Thiruvarasu and attains Salvation there.

Thirumangai Azhwaar is the most prolific composer of the 12 azhwaars and more than one-fourth of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham are his verses. He is also called as “Narkavi Perumal” for his literary brilliance. He is considered as the Kali Yuga Avatar of “Sharanga”, The celestial bow of Lord Vishnu.

His interaction with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and their cameraderie is very dramatic and is related to the shrine of Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram (28/108). Click “here” for that interesting tale.

What are the other specialities of the shrine?

Two of the five Narasimha Moorthy’s of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal are in the temple complex of Thiru Nagari
There is a separate shrine for Thirumangai Azhwaar, a statue which was consecrated by himself at Thiru Kurungudi (79/108) and was later brought here
The Idol of Thirumangai Azhwar still carries the spear (Vel) which was given to him as a token of respect and admiration, by Thiru Gnana Sambandhar after their interesting cameraderie at Thiru Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram (28/108)
The idol of Thiru Mangai Azhwar also has a miniature Ramanuja motif at the base
Thiru Mangai Azhwar always carried a Moorthy of The Lord which he called as “Sindhanaikku Iniyaan”. There is a garden which goes by the same name (Sindhanaikku Iniyaan Nandhavanam) in the temple complex, which was dedicated to the Pooja of This Moorthy
The hall in front of Thirumangai Azhwar is called as “Needila Muttram”
There are two Dwaja Sthambams (Flag posts- Kodi maram) in the temple, one for Kalyana Ranganathar and one for Thirumangai Azhwar.
The Lord Kalyana Ranganathar is seated on top of wheat sacs, as is the tradition during marriage.

What are the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal?

Ugra Narasimhar – Thiru Kurayalur
Veera Narasimhar – Mangai Madam
Lakshmi Narasimhar – Thiruvaali
Hiranya Narasimhar – Thiru Nagari
Yoga Narasimhar – Thiru Nagari

Our Experience:

We had visited this temple twice during our journeys.

The first time when we had no idea about the Thiru Nangur Divya desangal or their lore. We went from Thiruvaali (35A/108) and made it around 11.55 AM.

It is the largest temple complex in the region even surpassing Thiru Mani Maada Kovil (32/108) by a three-fold. We were running inside the temple to try to get a glimpse of the Lord before His afternoon respite.

We were just on time and the priest was benevolent to show an amazing darisanam of The Lord Kalyana Ranganathan. We then made our way around the temple. We had an amazing darisanam of Thiru Mangai Azhwar along with his famed Spear. We also had a nice darisanam of Lord Hiranya Narasimhar on the upper storey of the left wall of the shrine. A little further, Lord Yoga Narasimhar is seated in a separate shrine in the wall directly behind the main deity, Lord Kalyana Ranganathar. We then had the darisanam of Goddess Amrithavalli Naatchiyaar, who is housed in a separate shrine.

The second time we went to the temple was after the eleven Garuda sevai, so we were more aware of the lore of the shrine and could truly admire its marvel.

We also came to know about the Vedupari Utsavam which happens on Panguni Uthiram and were planning to make it to the festival. But due to the COVID-19 lockdown we had to skip it in 2020. We pray that we will be able to attend the festival and chronicle the event in the next year 2021.

With that note, we will catch you in the next shrine, Thiru Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram (28/108) which is in close proximity to the Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal and is associated with the interesting chapter of the interaction between Thiru Mangai Azhwar and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.

Loads of love,

Karthick and Rahul.

Thiruvaali

Thiruvaali (35A/108)

Name	Thiruvaali
Other Name	Aalinganapuram
District	Nagapattinam
State	Tamil Nadu
Mangalasasanam	Thirumangai Azhwar Kulasekara Azhwar
Position	Chozha Naadu (35/108)
Presiding deity	Vishnu
God	Lakshmi Narasimhar
Utsavar	Thiruvaali Nagaraalan Azhagiya Singhar
Goddess	Poornavalli Thaayaar (Amrithavalli Naatchiyaar)
Vimanam	Ashtaakshara Vimaanam
Speciality	Thiruvaali and Thiru Nagari together are considered as a single Divya Desam One of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal Birthplace of Poornavalli Thaayaar Closely associated with the Eleven Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal Vedupari Utsavam is also associated with this shrine
Theertham	Latchani Pushkarani
Worshipped by	Thirumangai Azhwar
Temple timings	7AM to 12PM and 4PM to 8PM
Contact details

LORE:

Why does the Sthalam go by the name of “Thiruvaali”?

“Thiru” stands for the Goddess of wealth, Devi Mahalakshmi, “Aali” is the abbreviated form of the word “Aalinganam” (Aalinganam – To hug)

Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar is seen hugging the Goddess Mahalakshmi, who is seated on His right lap. Hence the Sthalam is called as “Thiru Aali” (when the two words are unified, it is worded as “Thiruvaali” according to Tamizh Grammar)

What is the lore of the temple?

Lord Narasimha was the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He assumed the fierce Avatar to destroy Hiranyakashipu and to save His devotee, Bhaktha Prahaladhan. His rage was so fulminant that even after killing the vile demon king,
Lord Narasimha’s anger did not abate. His ferocity was frightening, and the entire cosmos trembled in dreadful trepidation.

To save the world from annihilation and to pacify Lord Narasimha, Devi Mahalakshmi decided to intervene. She went and sat on the lap of the raging Lord Narasimha and the moment The Lord felt the presence of His consort, His wrath and resentment, vanished and he became tranquil.

It is said that this shrine was the place where Devi Lakshmi did this feat and since Lord Narasimha is eternally hugging Her, the shrine came to be known as “Thiru Aali”

Thirumangai Azhwaar – The Scintillating Sensation

Thirumangai Azhwaar is called as “Aali Naadan” as he ruled the hamlets surrounding this shrine, and our tale about the most sensational devotee of The Lord begins at Thiru Vella Kulam (39/108). Neelan was born as the son of a war-chieftain in Thiru Kurayalur (One of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal).

Kumudhavalli was one of the divine damsels who used to come from Devalok to this shrine to pluck “Kumudham” flowers (White Lilly) in the Swetha Pushkarani at Thiru Vellakulam (39/108) for their prayers and leave back. They used to do this in secrecy. One fine day, Kumudhavalli Naatchiyaar takes a little longer to pluck the flowers. The rest of the Apsaras leave. Just when Kumudhavalli is about to depart for Devalok, she is seen by a mortal man. Because of this, she loses her ability to ascend to Devalok and is destined to stay back at Thiru Vella Kulam. A physician adopts her as his daughter and she lives in this Shrine, in prayers.

Kumudhavalli consents but places a condition. She says that she will marry him only if he is able to feed (Anna Dhaanam) 1000 Devotees per day for one full year and tells him that she will marry only a Vaishnavaite. Thus, it is at Thiru Vella Kulam the love-saga of Neelan and Kumudhavalli kickstart.

Neelan, now an ardent Vaishnavaite, returns home and starts feeding 1000 people per day, at the nearby village called “Mangai Madam”. A year rolls by and finally Kumudhavalli gets married to Neelan with much fanfare.

Neeril Nadappaan – the one who walks on water
Nizhalil odhunguvaan – The one who lurks in the shadows
Thaazh Oodhuvaan – The Blower of Locks
Tholaa Vazhakkan – The Vanquisher of disputes

He then raids those who have amassed wealth and uses the money to continue his daily ritual of feeding 1000 devotees at Mangai Madam.

He then accuses the groom of sorcery and asks Vayalaali Manavaalan to reveal the mantra He has used to make the bundle of riches so heavy. The Lord smirks and then agrees to tell Neelan the Mantra.

He becomes Thirumangai Azhwaar.

(To this date, the events of the wedding at Thiruvaali and the divine interception at Vedharajapuram are celebrated annually on Panguni Uthiram (March-April) as “Vedupari Utsavam”)

Thirumangai Azhwar then embarks on a pilgrimage visiting innumerable temples across the length and breath of the nation. He finally retires at Thiru Kurungudi (79/108) at Thiru Mangai Azhwar Thiruvarasu and attains Salvation there.

Thirumangai Azhwar is the most prolific composer of the 12 azhwaars and more than one-fourth of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham are his verses. He is also called as “Narkavi Perumal” for his literary brilliance. He is considered as the Kali Yuga Avatar of “Sharanga”, The celestial bow of Lord Vishnu.

His interaction with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and their cameraderie is very dramatic and is related to the shrine of Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram (28/108). Click “here” for that interesting tale.

What are the other specialities of the shrine?

One of the five Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal
The Goddess is seated on the right lap of The Lord unlike the more conventional left side
There is no separate shrine for Thaayaar. (No Thani Kovil Naatchiyaar)

What are the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrangal?

Ugra Narasimhar – Thiru Kurayalur
Veera Narasimhar – Mangai Madam
Lakshmi Narasimhar – Thiruvaali
Hiranya Narasimhar – Thiru Nagari
Yoga Narasimhar – Thiru Nagari

Our Experience:

This was one of the temples which we had visited when we had no idea about the Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal or their lore. We went from Devanaar Thogai (36/108) to Thiruvaali (35A/108) and made it around 11.30AM. It is a small but well-maintained shrine.

We had an amazing darisanam of The Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar and His Devi, seated on His right Lap. We quickly went around the temple and then headed out to Thiru Nagari, the very-closely-related temple to this shrine.

We came to know about the Vedupari Utsavam which happens on Panguni Uthiram and were planning to make it to the festival. But due to the COVID-19 lockdown we had to skip it in 2020.

We pray that we will be able to attend the festival and chronicle the event in the next year 2021.

With that note, we will catch you in the next shrine, which marks the end of the Thiru Nangur Travelogue – Thiru Nagari (35B/108)

Loads of love,

Karthick and Rahul.

Thiru Kaavalam Paadi

Thiru Kaavalam Paadi (27/108)

Name	Thiru Kaavalam Paadi
District	Nagapattinam
State	Tamil Nadu
TH	Thirumangai Azhwar
Position	Chozha Naadu (39/108)
Presiding deity	Vishnu
God	Gopala Krishnan
Utsavar	Raja Gopalan
Goddess	Madavaral Mangai Sengamala Naatchiyaar
Vimanam	Swayambhu (Vedhaamodha Vimaanam)
Speciality	One of the 11 Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal
Theertham	Thada Malar Poigai
Worshipped by	One of the Ekadasha Rudras Vishwaksenar
Temple timings	7AM to 12PM and 4PM to 8PM
Contact details	9262084905 9840060513

LORE:

Why does the Sthalam go by the name of “Thiru Kaavalam Paadi?

“Kaavalam” means “Grove” or “Orchard”.

This is the shrine where Lord Gopala Krishnan created the orchard for Sathyabama when she desired to have the celestial “Paarijatha flower”

It is said that the Dwarakaadeeshan Himself has come here, along with his consorts to pacify the angry Rudran.

What is the lore of the temple?

The temple shares the common lore of all the 11 Thiru Nangur Shrines and Lord Gopala Krishnan 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.

The details of the story are elaborated “here”

The celestial flower:

Parijatham flower is said to have appeared from the Thiru Paarkadal (107/108) during the Samudra Mandhan and was handed over to the Devas, who planted it in Devalok. It was so powerful that it could grant anyone, whatever their hearts desire. The Parijatham tree is also called as “The Tree of the Universe”

Its earthen version is the Night-Flowering Jasmine or The Coral Jasmine.

The theft of the Parijatham – Paarijatha Haran:

The story starts with Hiranyakshan and the Varaha Avatharam. Hiranyakshan had abducted Bhu Devi and had hidden her in the depths of the Paathalam in a place called Kalakeyapuram. Lord Vishnu too the form of a wild boar – Lord Varaha and delved into the depths of Paathalam, killed Hiranyakshan and rescued Bhu Devi.

During this seemingly arduous task, The Lord was hardly perturbed. It didn’t exert him at all. However, a single drop of sweat fell from His brow on earth and it became a fully-grown man. Bhu Devi was overjoyed and she embraced the young man as Her son and named him as “Naraka”. He asked Lord Varaha to bless her son. Lord Varaha broke one of His tusks and told him that it could be used as a weapon to save himself, but to always tread on the path of Dharma.

Aeons rolled by. And then came the time of Dwapara Yug. Naraka had grown immensely powerful and had fallen astray from the path of Dharma and had become Narakasura. He had established his citadel in ‘Pragjyotishapura’. He had surrounded that fortress with four rings of protection. Rocks, fire, spears and the innermost ring of water. His most trusted lieutenant was a demon called “Mura” who guarded the citadel.

Drunk with power, Narakasura wreaked havoc upon the denizens of all the 14 worlds. He raised an army and raided the celestial Devalok, imprisoned 16,000 women and stole the ear-rings of Adhithi, the mother of all the devas.

Dwapara Yug was the reign of Lord Krishna. When everyone had enough of the atrocities of the demon Narakasura, they prayed to Lord Krishna to intervene and save them from his reign of terror.

Sathyabama was one of the consorts of Lord Krishna and was the incarnation of Bhu Devi. She agreed that Narakasura’s end should be brought about and decides to accompany The Lord to battle the demon.

They fly to Pragjyotishapura and break all the four rings of protection, kill the demon lieutenant Mura and summon Narakasura for what would eventually become his last battle. (Lord Krishna is called as Murari because he killed the demon, Mura)

Lord Krishna and Narakasura fought day and night. They were evenly matched. Astra after Astra, Lord Krishna was beginning to overpower the demon. The demon then summoned the tusk of Lord Varaha and flung it at Lord Krishna. It hit The Lord directly in the chest and He fell unconscious.

Sathyabama who was watching all this was enraged on seeing Her beloved Husband temporarily knocked out of consciousness. She got so furious that she picked up battle gear and continued the fight with Narakasura.

The demon was no match for the fury of Devi Sathyabama and was beginning to lose ground. Meanwhile, Lord Krishna also arose, recovering from the shattering attack of the tusk of Lord Varaha. Together, Devi Sathyabama and Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

Lord Krishna then decided to return the stolen ear-rings of Adhithi, the mother of the devas. He flew on Garuda, along with Sathyabama to Amaravati, the capital of Paradise, to meet Adhithi and handover her ear-rings, in person, out of respect for her.

\Adhithi was overjoyed with the news of the death of Narakasura and the release of the 16,000 women (who eventually wed Lord Krishna) more than the return of her stolen ear-rings. She blessed The Lord and His Devi, Sathyabama.

As they were about to leave, a breeze brought in an enchantingly tantalising fragrance. When Sathyabama about it The Lord replied that it was the fragrance of the celestial Parijatham. Sathyabama desired a flower from the tree for Herself and asked the guards of the grove to give her one. But the guards had to ask Devi Sachi, the queen of Amravati, the Indrani, the wife of Indra Dev permission as the tree was gifted to her by Indra dev.

The haughty queen denied Sathyabama the flower from the tree as she felt that Sathyabama was a mere mortal woman. This enraged Sathyabama. She wanted to teach the residents a lesson in humility and to treat guests with honour and decorum.

She asked Krishna for the entire tree saying that she wanted to plant the tree in Dwaraka in her own grove, for the benefit of Her subjects. Lord Krishna, the dutiful husband, the loyal lover, the sly butter-thief quietly went and uprooted the celestial tree.

Lord Krishna and Sathyabama along with the celestial Parijatham tree were about to leave Devalok, when everyone realised what was going on. Devi Sachi goaded her husband to fight against Lord Krishna and retrieve the tree, as it became a matter or pride and honour now.

Indra dev and the other Devas began to fight against Lord Krishna and Sathyabama. But their missiles were no match for Garuda who effortlessly disposed them off.

Indra gave chase to them on his elephant mount, Airavatham. He was angry and restless and he took out his Vajrayudham to defeat Lord Krishna. Upon seeing the Vajrayudham, Lord Krishna lifts His finger and the fiery Sudarshan Chakra appear blazing on it.

While Indra dev hurled his most powerful weapon against The Lord, Sathyabama wanting to avoid the clash of the Vajrayudham and the Sudarshan Chakra, decided to end the battle. She smiles and merely presses the shoulder of The Lord. The Lord turns and takes a look at Her calm yet breathtakingly magnificent radiance and His anger dissipates. The Chakra too disappears. With His usual mischievous glint in His Lotus-like-eyes, He faces the oncoming Vajrayudham casually.

When the Astra reached Him, he deftly held it in His arms as though it were a fragile twig. Indra got scared on seeing this and then realised who he was dealing with. In that moment, he saw Lord Mahavishnu and Bhu Devi standing in front of him. He panicked and tried to leave the battle.

Sathyabama summons him back and tells him that she really has no interest in his precious tree. She has Her Lord Krishna by Her side and that was all that mattered. She then told Indra Dev that this was a lesson to Indra Dev and Devi Sachi for insulting her by disrespecting her human legacy and for ill-treating The Lord and Herself, who had come as guests to Amaravati.

Indra Dev realised her folly and asked them to keep the tree in Dwaraka itself and declared that it was his token of his repentance and the tree would return to Devalok at the end of the Dwapara Yug.

Sathyabama was so proud of her achievement in bringing the tree to Dwaraka. She teased Devi Rukmini that her garden will have the celestial Parijatham tree. Devi Rukmini politely told that all She was bothered about was the devotion to Lord Krishna and it did not matter as to where the tree was.

The tree was then planted in the garden of Sathyabama, but the cheeky Lord Krishna planted it in such a way that though the tree was in the garden of Sathyabama, the flowers would fall in the courtyard of the garden of Devi Rukmini.

Devi Sathyabama realised that even devotion will be pure only when it is humble and devoid of any form of pride and pomp.

Kaavalam Paadi and Parijatham:

Sathyabama desired an orchard of Her own with the Parijatham flowers and She conveyed her yearning to Lord Krishna. The Lord created this serene orchard and planted a Parijatham offspring here.

The grove of Kaavalam Paadi is still filled with lush greenery and the temple is in the midst of tall trees and bountiful fields and flowering groves.

What are the other specialities of the shrine?

The Lord in the sanctum sanctorum is holding a whip in his hand, signifying His cowherd roots
He is in standing posture flanked by Devi Rukmini and Devi Sathyabama on either side.
The Utsavar wears his trademark Yadava cap and is such an amazing sight to behold.
There is no separate shrine for Thaayaar. (No Thani Kovil Naatchiyaar)

Our Experience:

We had visited this shrine six times, and we were able to see Lord Gopala Krishnan only ONCE. The mischief-maker always eludes us. Almost none of our planned trips to meet him end in fruition.

The first two times were in vain as we had no idea of the temple timing and were wondering as to why the temple was always closed. The third time we missed it because the priest had a condolence in his family.

The fourth time we missed it was during the Eleven Garuda Sevai Festival, because we started late and had no idea that all the shrines (except Thiru Vella Kulam and Thiru Mani Maada Kovil) would be closed during the festival.

The fifth time was when Lord Krishna relented, possibly fed up of our insistence to see Him and it was the best of our escapades to Thiru Nangur.

Kaavalam Paadi, like most of the Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal is a very small hamlet and does not have any flower vendors or shops. The priest told us that he always keeps the temple closed, except for the morning and evening aarthi as there are many vandals in the local area ho would desecrate the shrine.

We saw Lord Gopala Krishnan standing so elegantly with a whip in his hand. He had donned His trademark Yadava style cap, which is so iconic, that He is the only one whom we can instantly identify in the Eleven Garuda Utsavam. All the other 10 Utsava deities look almost exactly the same while standing on their Garuda mounts.

This fifth visit was unique in one more way 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, offering our prayers at all the 11 temples. Lord Gopala Krishnan left us elated in joy as we had completed what seemed a nearly impossible feat of worshipping all the eleven Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal in a span of 160 minutes.

Coming to the sixth time, we had a funny experience. We started out to see Him on a Sunday evening (01.03.2020). We were in Thiru Nangur by 1620 Hrs. We knew that Thiru Kaavalam Paadi will be open only at 1700 Hrs. So, we had gone to another temple and were on our way to try to see Lord Gopala Krishnan.

He had no intentions of letting us have it that easy. We had gone on a two-wheeler and there was a sudden burst in the rear tyre. The tube had melted in friction and now we had a flat tire. We had to walk, dragging the heavy Honda Activa with us to the nearest hub called Mangai Madam. All the mechanic shops were closed as it was a Sunday evening. We tried ringing their numbers and conveniently nobody lifted our calls.

We eventually found a mechanic shop in the other end of the town. The mechanic was in a sour mood and it took him almost an hour to fix us up. We were dehydrated and tired. But still it was 1830 Hrs and we rushed to Thiru Kaavalam Paadi.

The gates were shut. We asked the locals and it was a bittersweet moment when we were told that we missed the priest by a mere 10 minutes. SIGH.

“Oh, Kanhaiya, we aren’t done with you yet. We will not rest until we have seen You to our hearts content.”

A valuable tip from us is to contact the priest one day prior and make arrangements to have a hassle-free darisanam.

With this post, the travelogues of the eleven Thiru Nangur Divya Desangal come to an end. See you folks at the next Divya Desam, Thiruvaali – Thiru Nagari (35/108), a shrine closely associated with Thiru Nangur, Thirumangai Azhwar, the Eleven Garuda Sevai Utsavam and the Vedupari Utsavam.

Loads of love,

Karthick and Rahul