Nanmangalam Neelavarna Perumal Temple

Located near the reserve forest of Nanmangalam, this lesser-known temple of Vishnu is believed to have been built originally in the 9th century CE, possibly by the Pallavas. A Pallava period stone inscription in a separate stone slab is kept at the entrance.

The presiding deity is known as Neelavarna Perumal. The three feet tall stone idol of Perumal is flanked by his consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Vishnu is found in the standing posture. He has four arms; his upper arms hold conch and discus; his lower arms are in abhaya and kati hasthams.

The sanctum also enshrines the utsava (metal) idols of Perumal-Sri Devi-Bhoo Devi and Vedavalli.

The structure of the east-facing sanctum and Ardha mandapa (partially) are old structures that cannot be older than 300-400 years. The rest of the temple's structure is completely renovated in recent times.



The entrance does not have Dwarapalas. Instead, two old bas-relief images of Hanuman are located on either side of the entrance.

The stone idols of Nammalvar and Ramanuja are located in Ardha Mandapa. There, the metal idols of Ramanuja, Nammalvar, Andal and Krishna are also found.

Vedavalli Thayar is found in a separate east-facing shrine in the prakara.

Sudarshana with Yoga Narasimha in his backside and Bhakta Anjaneya are found in two small separate sub-shrines.



An old stone deepa sthambha and a wooden flagstaff are located in front of the main shrine.

Lakshmi Hayagreeva, Lakshmi Narasimha and Lakshmi Varaha are found as the Koshta (niche) images.

Only the stone images of Perumal and Nammalvar, the relief images of Hanuman, flagstaff and deepa sthambha appear to be slightly older (300 to 400 years old). Every other idol seems to be newly made.

Happy travelling.

Comments

  1. The temple is 1200 years old. As you rightly pointed out, the main temple consisted of Mookanaraasu Perumal, Thayars, Nammazhwar, 2 Anjaneyar at the entrance and the stone deepa stambha. All other Sannadhis came after the Kumbabhishekam 2008.

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