திருவைகுந்த விண்ணகரம் வைகுந்தநாதர் கோவில்

 Thiruvaikunta Vinnagaram Vaikuntanatha Perumal Temple: This is the sixth temple in the Thirunangur belt. We are visiting the temple of Shri Vaikuntavalli Thayar sametha Shri Vaikuntanatha Perumal (Thamaraikann Nediyapiran/Thamaraikannan). The temple is open from 7 am 11 am and from 4 to 7 pm. The contact number is 04364 275478.

There are three theerthams attached to this temple- Lakshmi, Uttanga and Viraja. The main one is in the northern direction. This temple is having only one prakaram and there is no Rajagopuram. The vimanam is called Ananda Sathya Vartaka Vimanam. This is another temple being managed by Sri Muralidhara Swamigal. The flower garden of the temple which was praised in Thirumangai Azhwar’s pasuram, was in bad shape. Thanks to the initiative taken by one Sri Varahachari, it is now renovated.

The Moolavar Shri Vaikuntanathar is in sitting posture (Irundha kolam) facing east. This is the only temple among the 11 Divya Desams of Thirunangur, where both the Moolavar and Utsavar are in sitting position. The way the Lord sits here is majestic, with one raised leg and another one on the floor with His hands resting on the knee.

The sthala puranam of this temple is connected a king called Swetaketu. ( Some claim that this is incorrect and it was King Uparisiravas) After performing all his duties as a king, he handed over responsibility to his son and entered into the Vanaprastha phase ( giving up the worldly life) along with his wife Damayanthi.

After they did intense penance without food or water, they left for the heavenly abode, Sri Vaikuntam. However they could not see the Vaikuntanathan there. The couple were desperate. At that time, Sage Narada came there. When the couple requested him for a way to meet the Lord, he suggested that they should go back to the earth and pray to Lord Iravatheswarar on the banks of river Kaveri and He would show the way.

The royal couple went to the temple of Iravatheswarar and prayed. Shiva appeared before them and when He came to know about their mission, He said that He was also searching for Sriman Narayanan. He suggested that all the three of them should do collective penance. Sage Uthankar who was also desperate to have darshan of Sri Vishnu, joined them.

Pleased with their prayers, Vishnu appeared before them along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Shiva requested Vishnu to remain in this place and bless the other devotees in future and Vishnu acceded to the request. As the Lord of Vaikuntam appeared here, this place came to be called Vaikunta Vinnagaram ( Vishnu temples are called Vinnagaram) and the Lord, Vaikuntanathan. The Mother came to be called Vaikuntavalli.

The Lord is called Thamaraikannan. I have read an article where the author has described the Lord as follows: personally enquired the bhattar to show the eyes of moolavar perumal. When aarati was performed, I saw the Lord, where He showed the stretch of eyes running from nose to ears. This has given raise to the name Thamaraikannan. Praying to this divine couple on the Magam star day of every month for six months, would ensure that childless couples, get children.

Since this is believed to be the Vaikuntam on earth, there is no Dwajasthambam, no Garudazhwar and no shrine for any other deity. The Lord in the only shrine gives darshan along with Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi. I have not come across any other Divya Kshetram where there is only a single shrine. Outside the temple, along the walls, there is a shrine of Surya Narayanar. Note: Photos and some of the inputs were collected from various web sites.