Vinnagaraperumal of Thirunandhipuram

trade_routes:

• "Chola heartland temple corridor (Kaveri delta)" connected_events:
  • event: "Alvar hymns and Divya Prabandham composition" significance: "One of the 108 Divya Desams hymned by the 12 Alvars (6th–9th c. CE)" vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" connected_events:
  • event: "Medieval temple construction" significance: "Temple constructed during the medieval period (10th–12th c. CE)" associated_kings:
• "Local ruling dynasty" sacred_trees:
• peepal
• bilva (bael)
• tulasi sacred_animals:
• Nandi (sacred bull)
• peacock
• elephant vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" festival_dates:
• "Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar)"
• "Diwali (Oct–Nov)"

Vinnagaraperumal of Thirunandhipuram

One of the 108 Divya Desams

The 108 Divya Desams are the sacred abodes of Vishnu sung by the 12 Alvar saint-poets. Compiled as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Nathamuni (9th c. CE), this corpus of 4,000 pasurams defines the sacred geography of Tamil Vaishnavism and the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya.

This Temple

• Location: Nathan Koil, Thanjavur (10.9722°N, 79.3467°E) Tamil Nadu
• Presiding deity: Vinnagaraperumal (Vishnu standing)
• Thayar (Goddess): Sengamala-thayar
• Tirtham: Nandha-tirtham
• Vimana: Mandara-vimana
• Mangalashasanam: Sung by Tirumangai-alvar — 11 pasurams
• Built: 9th–10th c. CE

Sthala-Puranam

Named for Nandi, who performed tapas here and was granted darshana of Vishnu. The adjoining pond's red lotuses supply the temple's daily mala.

Worship & Festival

Daily 5-fold puja; Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Margazhi full moon) is the holiest day — the Paramapada-vasal gate is opened; passing through is said to grant moksha. Annual Brahmotsavam (10 days) features Vishnu on all his vahanas (Garuda, Hanumanta, Shesha, Hamsa, Simha, Ratha).

The Alvar Tradition

Each Divya Desam's sanctity rests on how many Alvars sang of it and how many pasurams — this is the mangalashasanam. Tamil Vaishnavism treats the 4,000 pasurams as Dravida Veda — equivalent to the Sanskrit Vedas.

Sthalapurana (Temple Legend)

The sacred history of this shrine is recounted in local Sthalapurana texts and the Divya Prabandham hymns.