CHENNAI TEMPLES - Tambaram - Tiruneermalai

Thiruneermalai is a panchayat town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is popular for a temple on a hill. From the top of the hill, one can view the entire Pallavaram area.This place is very close to Chennai city (4 km from Pallavaram GST road).

The temple is near Chennai. There are two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One temple is on the base of the hill and the other temple is on top of the hill. Long ago, this hill was surrounded by water when Thirumangai Azhwar visited the shrine. Hence it is called Thiruneermalai. It is one of the Divya desam. People need to climb steps to reach the hill top. It would be around 200 to 300 steps. The base Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama also known as Neervanan in a standing posture and the temple up the hill has four shrines for Lord Ranganatha (Kidanthaan - in reclining posture), Animamalarmangai Thayaar, Trivikrama (Nadanthaan - in standing posture) and Lord Narasimha (Irundhaan - sitting posture). It is a double prakaram(outer courtyard) temple. The Garuda shrine faces the Lord. The view from the top of the hill is wonderful.

The legend is that when Valmiki prayed to Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Ranganayaki in the base temple, they took the form of Lord Rama and Sita, Sesha, Conch, Chakra as Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatruguna and Garuda as Hanuman. Sage Valmiki could view Lord Ranganatha, Lord Trivikrama and Lord Narasimha in the top temple.

Specials:

The Perumal shows his 4 sevas in this temple (ie) - Nindra, Iruntha, Kidantha and Nadantha Thirukkolmas.

It is said that once Thirumangai Alwar came here to get the Dharshan of the Perumal. At that time, the mountain was fully surrounded by water and he waited for six months to worship the Perumal. After all the water drained, he went up the mountain and worshipped the Perumal. The place where Thirumangai Alwar stayed is called as "Thiru Mangai Alwarpuram".

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Perumal gives his seva in four different positions.

1. Sri Neervannar - Nindra Thirukkolam.
2. Lord Narasimhar - Irundha Thirukkolam.
3. Lord Ranganathar - Kidantha Thirukkolam.
4. Lord Thiruvikraman - Nadantha Thirukkolam.

Sri Neervanaswamy Mahatyam

Thiruneermalai is famous for conducting marriages.

Prasadam

Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam and Murukku are offered to the Lord as Prasadam.

Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

Panguni Uthiram and Chithirai Month are the festival months.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 19 Paasurams
• Bhudathalwar - 1 Paasuram
  Total - 20 Paasurams

Pushkarani:

• Kshri includes Karunya, Sidha and Swarna Pushkarani.
• Kshri Pushkarani for Kidantha Perumal.
• Karunya Pushkarani for Nindra Perumal.
• Sittha Pushkarani for Ulagalantha Perumal.
• Swarna Pushkarani for Veetruntha Paramapatha Emperuman.

The Pushkarani is found along with the Neerazhi Mandapam.

In Kulakarai, Vasantha Mandapam is found. 

Vimanam:

• Ranga Vimaanam - Sri Ranganathar.
• Santha Vimaanam - Lord Narasimhar.
• Thoyagiri Vimaanam - Ulagalantha Perumal.

Travel and stay

The temple is near Chrompet, which is hardly 10 km from the Chennai Domestic Airport. A lot of bus facilities are available. Frequent bus services are available from Pallavaram also. From Pallavaram, the bus number is 55A. The temple opens at 8:00 a.m., unlike other temples in the region which open at 6:00 A.M.