Neelamega Perumal Temple

The Neelamega Perumal Temple is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu all over the country. The temple is located 4 miles from Nannilam railway station. A bus facility is provided, however, accomadation isnt really good.

The temple is one of the 5 krishna khetrams, the other 4 being Thirukkannankudi, Thirukkannamangai, Thirukannankavithalam and Thirukovilur.

The temple has an imposing image of the Lord. The temple used to be near the seashore, however, now the sea has receded by 10 km.

LEGEND:

There are many legends behind this temple.

According to legends, Shakunthala was married to King Dushyantha. However, when the king returned to his kingdom, he forgot his wife. Shakunthala gave birth to their son, Bharat. Shakunthala lost the ring given to her by King Dushyantha in a river. The ring was swallowed by a fish. A fisherman who caught that fish and found the ring gave the ring to the king. On seing the ring, the King remembered all about Shakunthala again and rushed to the forest to bring them back. The fisherman was the key in reuniting Shakunthala and king Dushyantha which is why the fishermen are also called Bharathyar.

In order to serve as a reminder of this, Lord Vishnu married princess Padmavathi from the fishermen crew. In honour of their wedding, every year the fishermen celebrate pongal and pray to the lord.

There is also a second story to the origins of this temple. Once there was a demon, Vikataksham. The demon used to terrorise the Maharishis who used to stay in the same village. The Maharishis prayed to Lord Vishnu to kill the demon and rescue them. Lord Vishnu descended on earth and killed the demon with his chakra. In honour of the Lord’s victory, the Maharishis built the temple for the lord.

FESTIVALS:

On every Masi Magam, the lord god of this place goes to the seashore and blesses all his devotees there.

FACTS:

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this kshetram is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in the standing posture facing east. Instead of Abhaya Hastham he has Varadha Hastham similar to Kanchi Varadharaja perumal. Also, he has the Prayoga Chakaram, similar to that of Ranganatha perumal of SriRangam. Prathyaksham for Kanva Maharishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudan.

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Kannapura Naayaki along with Periya piraati, Sridevi, Aandal and Padmini Thaayar.

Utsavar:

The Utsavar of this sthalam is Utsavar Sowriraja perumal is in a pose of seeking hands for marriage.

Mangalasasanam:

Pushkarani:
Nithiya Pushkarani.

Vimanam:
Utpalaavataka Vimanam.