Parimala Ranganathar Perumal Temple

The Parimala Ranganathar Perumal Temple, or the Tiruindaloor temple, is located in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 108 Divyadesams in the country, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Temple was built with contributions from the Cholas, the Vijayanagris and the Nayaks, along the Cauvery river. The Temple is bordered by granite walls and the main gateway has 5 tiers.

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Chartibable Institutions Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the district.

LEGEND:

According to legend, King Ambarishan was due to complete his 100^th Ekadasi-Dwadasi fasting. The Ekadwasi fasting involves fasting and thinking only of the glory of the lord for 12 days, till the Dwadasi. The people of his kingdom were immensely happy that their ruler would be completing a century of this great deed. All preparations were made for a grand celebration in the empire.

But, the gods were unhappy as if the King managed to complete his 100^th fast, he would be elevated to the status of a God and the Gods did not want to lose their importance in front of the humans. So, they approached Sage Durvaa for help, known for his cunning temperament. The Sage promised to help them, and went to King Ambarishan’s palace to visit him.

The King was about to consume his food and complete the fast, when Durvasa entered. Glad to have the Sage visit him, the King requested Durvasa to dine with him. Durvasa, cunningly told the king that he would eat after a bath in the river. The King waited for Durvasa, but the time to complete  the fast was nearing. The King then consulted his chief pandit who advised him to have a few drops of water and complete the fast as Durvasa was determined to come late and foil the fast.

Knowing the King’s plan with his powers, Durvasa conjured up a ghost and sent the ghost after the king. The King ran, praying to the Lord to protect him. The lord appeared, seing whom the Ghost immediately backed away. Seing the lord, Durvasa realized his folly and apologized to the Lord and to the King. The Lord then asked the King for a boon as he had completed 100 fasts. The King asked that the lord stay at his palace forever and bless the people of his empire. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord decided to stay at the palace.

POOJA RITUALS:

The temple follows Pancharatra Agama and THENKALAI tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Tiruvanandal at 8:00 a.m., Kala santhi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:30 p.m., Niyyanusandhanam at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:30 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Parimala Ranganathar and Thayar. The food offering during the six times are curd rice, Ven pongal, spiced rice, dosa, Ven pongal and sugar pongal respectively. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, fortnightly and monthly rituals.

FESTIVALS:

The major festival celebrated in the Parimala Ranganathar Temple is the Chitrai festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai. The other festivals in the temple include the 10 day Aaandal Aadi festival celebrated during July-August, Thayar Navaratri Utsavam during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September – October), 10 day Aipasi Thula Mahostavam during Aipasi (October – November), 10 day Vaikunta Ekadasi during Margazhi (December – January), Makara Sankranthi during January and Panguni Brahmotsavam during the month of Panguni (March – April).

FACTS:

Moolavar         : Parimala Ranganathar, Sugantha Vana Nathar

Urchavar         : –

Amman / Thayarv  : Parimala Ranganayaki, Chandras Shaba Vimochana Valli

Thala Virutcham : –

Theertham      : Indu Pushkarini