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Thanjai Maamanikkoyil is located in a suburb by name "Vennatrankarai",
outskirts of Thanjavur. This
is a actually a cluster of three temples, considered to be one Divya
Desam, sung by Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar and Nammalwar. Nammalwar
refers to Manikkunram, while Bhootattalwar refers to Thanjai.
Tirumangaialwar refers to Thanjai Maamanaikkoyil, and Manikunram.
This temple dates back to the period of the Nayakas of Madurai. The Veda
Sundara Vimanam (also spelt as Vimana) above the Veerasinga Perumaal
shrine is of great beauty. The Thanjavur palace administers these temples.
The Legend
According to the legend prevailing Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha
Avataram to vanquish a demon elephant by name "Tanjakan"; upon
his request, Lord Vishnu took abode here, in this 'Sthalam' (place), which
came to be known as "Thanjavur".
About The Temple And Deities
The Maamanikkoyil, first of the three temples, enshrines
Neelamegapperumaal in a sitting posture facing east, and his consort is
Senkamalavalli. One can also see a beautiful image of Nartana Krishnar and
shrines dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimhar (also spelt as Narasimha) and
Lakshmi Hayagrivar.
Manikkunram is the second temple where Manikkunrapperumaal is enshrined
in a seated posture, facing east along with his consort Ambujavalli. The
Theertham (also spelt as Teertha) here is the Rama Theertham (also spelt
as Tirtha, or Teertha) and the Vimanam is Manikkoota Vimanam. The great
sage Markandeya is believed to have worshipped here.
The third is Thanjaiyali Nagar, enshrining a seated image of Lord
Narasimha whose consort is Thanjai Nayaki. There is a Teertham called "Surya
Pushkarini" and the Vimanam is Vedasundara Vimanam. The Utsavar in
all of these temples is known as "Narayanan".
Air: The nearest airport is at
Trichy.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at
Thanjavur, which is on
Chennai-Trichy main
line.
Road: Vennatrankarai is in the suburbs of
Thanjavur. Regular buses are
available from Thanjavur.
Varied accommodation options are available for the tourists at the hotels in Thanjavur.
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