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This Divya Desam located at the foothills of the Western Ghats is the Thirukkurungudi village in the Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu State, India. The Nambi Rayar temple, dedicated to Lord Nambi or Vishnu is the prime attraction of this sleepy hamlet.

Bestowed with much natural beauty and serenity, this village offers a consummate experience to those who visit this place. Featured in this video are photographers busy taking picture and videos of the stone sculptures carved on the pagoda of the Nambi Rayar temple.

There is a shrine for Lord Shiva Manthragiriswarar and Kala Bhairava in the Thirukungudi Nambirayar temple symbolizing the harmony between the major Hindureligious sects. This is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya desas. While Pujas are performed in the Perumal shrine, the priest would ask whether the Puja goes on in the Shiva shrine also. 

Presiding deity :      Vaishnava Nambi  facing East

Mother Goddess :     Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar

Holy spring  :    Thiruparkadal, Panchadurai

Vimanam :     Panchaketa Vimanam

Nambi Rayar temple is one of the "108 Divyadesams" according to the Vaishnava mythology. The temple is 1300 years old.The temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets).

The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran, Nammalvar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple has several unique sculptures. A Horse and an elephant sculpture are composed of ladies in a single granite stone.

The walls of the temple resemble a big fort and the village has been formed around these walls in a very organized manner.The interiors of the main temple tower is covered with wood sculptures of teak depicting most of the deities as well as other secular scenes.

There are five Nambis in this Kshetram. They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located very near to the River Nambiyaru one km from the main temple.

The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.30 to 8.00 p.m.

Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 km from the main temple. In Tamil language the word "nambi" means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace.

Do:

  • Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
  • Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

  • Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  • Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  • Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
  • Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  • Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.