AnnNeilsen287 at 10:36, 16 September 2023

2023-09-16T10:36:30Z

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Chennai}}
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{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name=Thiruneermalai (temple complex)
|image=File:Neervannaperumal Temple, Thiruneermalai, Chennai, India.jpg
|alt=
|caption=Image of the temple
|map_type=India Tamil Nadu
|map_caption=Location in Tamil Nadu
|coordinates={{coord|12.963681|N|80.114686|E
|type:landmark_region:IN
|display=inline,title}}
|native_name=Neervana Perumal Temple
|country=[[India]]
|state=[[Tamil Nadu]]
|district=[[Chengalpattu district]]
|location=[[Thiruneermalai]]
|elevation_m=
|deity=[[Ranganatha]]/Neervanna Perumal ([[Vishnu]])<br>[[Ranganayaki]]/Animamalarmangai Tayar ([[Lakshmi]])
|Direction_posture=
|Pushakarani=
|Vimanam=
|festivals=
|architecture=[[Dravidian architecture]]
|temple_quantity=
|monument_quantity=
|inscriptions=
|year_completed=
|creator=
|website=
}}

[[File:Aerial view of Ranganatha swamy temple.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Ranganatha swamy temple, taken from top of the hill ]]
[[File:Thiruneermalai1.jpg|thumb|Sri Ranganathaswami Temple atop the Holy Hill]]

The '''Thiruneermalai temple complex''' consists of two temples, the '''Ranganatha Temple''' and the '''Thiruneermalai Neervanna Perumal Temple'''. Both are [[Hindu temples]] in [[Thiruneermalai]], a populated place in [[Kovur, Chennai|Kovur]], a town in [[Chengalpattu district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].

[[File:Neervannaperumal Temple, Thiruneermalai, Chennai, India.jpg|thumb|96x96px|Sri Neervannaperumal Temple at the foot of the hill]]
[[File:Thiruneermalai Hill Entrance, Chennai, India.jpg|thumb|129x129px|Steps to Holy Hill]]
There are two temples, one at the top of the hill and other in the foothills. In all, the temple occupies an area of {{convert|15|acre|ha|abbr=on}}, with the lower shrine covering {{convert|3|acre|ha|abbr=on}}. The presiding deity of the temple in the foothills is Neervana Perumal in standing posture. Ranganatha is the presiding deity uphill and the shrine, ''[[vimana]]'' above the sanctum is called Ranga Vimana. There are images of Trivikrama and Narasimha around the first precinct. The temple tank is called the Kshira [[Pushkarini]] and it is believed to feed the waters of [[Vaikunta|Vaikuntha]], and the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]]. The Karunya Pushkarini is the second tank, which is believed to have formed from the weeping of Narasimha, who was moved by the divine prayers of [[Prahlada]]. There are two other tanks called Svarna Pushkarini and Siddha Pushkarini.<ref name=census/>

It is dedicated to the [[Hindu deities|Hindu deity]] [[Vishnu]], regionally referred to as Neervana Perumal and [[Ranganatha]]. The complex is of two parts: one at the base of the hill for the primary deity Neervanan, featured in a standing posture, and also housing shrines of his consort Animamalarmangai Tayar, Kalyana [[Rama|Ramar]], and [[Andal]]. The shrine for Anjaneya ([[Hanuman]]) is to the right, upon the hill shrine. The temple complex up the hill has three shrines for Ranganatha, found in reclining posture, [[Vamana|Trivikrama]], featured in a walking posture), [[Narasimha]], featured in a sitting posture. There also exists a shrine for [[Ranganayaki]] Tayar, facing the east. It is a double ''[[prakaram]]'' (outer courtyard) temple. The [[Garuda]] shrine faces the deity.

The temple has lot of inscriptions from the [[Chola]] and later [[Pandyas]], indicating generous contributions to the temple.<ref name=census/>

==Legend==
[[File:Thiruneermalai flag staff.jpg|thumb|224x224px|Flag staff at Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on hill top]]
According to this temple's [[Sthala purana|regional legend]], this site is referred to as Toyatri, meaning a mountain surrounded by water. ''Thiruneermalai'', the modern [[Tamil language|Tamil]] name also means a sacred mountain surrounded by water. Among the eight sacred Vishnu temples where he manifested himself called the ''Ashtasvayamvaka Kshetra''. According to regional legend, Sage [[Valmiki]], after composing the epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', worshipped Ranganatha at the top of the hill. When he came downhills, he wanted to receive a [[Darshan (Indian religions)|theophany]] of [[Rama]], who appeared for the devotee. [[Lakshmi]] appeared as [[Sita]], [[Shesha|Adi Shesha]] appeared as [[Lakshmana]], Vishnu's conch, the [[Panchajanya]] as [[Bharatha]], his discus, the [[sudarshana chakra|Sudarshana Chakra]] as [[Shatrughna]], and [[Garuda]] in the form of [[Hanuman]].<ref name=census>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu|year=2003|last=C.|first=Chandramouli}}</ref>

As per a legend, the poet-saint [[Thirumangai Azhwar|Thirumangai Alvar]] was held up in the top of the mountain for six months as the place was surrounded by water. Thirumangai Alvar has glorified the temple highlighting the unique aspect of the temple where Vishnu is seen in four different poses of Standing (Neervana Perumal), Lying (Sriranganathar), Sitting (Narasimha) and walking (Trivikrama). [[Bhoothath Alvar]] also composed hymns praising the temple.<ref name=census/>

==Religious practices==
Two Bramhotsavams and the Uttiram (Birth star of mother goddess) are celebrated. The Bramhotsavam of Neervanan is held in the Tamil month of Panguni (mid March – mid April) and for Rangantha Perumal in the month of Chittirai (mid April – mid May). While Panguni Uttiram is celebrated for [[Ranganayaki]] Tayar, Masi Uttiram is celebrated of Animamalarmangai Tayar, the consort of Neervana Perumal.

The temple rituals are conducted as per the [[Vaikhanasa]] tradition.

==See also==
* [[Religion in Chennai]]
* [[Heritage structures in Chennai]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Chennai topics}}
{{Places of worship in Chennai}}
{{Vishnu temples}}
{{List of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Chengalpattu]]
[[Category:Divya Desams]]

Thiruneermalai (temple complex) - Revision history

AnnNeilsen287 at 10:36, 16 September 2023