Set in Nanguneri, Tamil Nadu, Sri Vanamamalai Perumal Temple is a shrine to Vanamamalai Perumal (Thothadrinathan) with consort Varamangai. It is also known as Thothadrinathar temple, Totadri Kshetram, Vanamamalai temple.
Vanamamalai Perumal Temple is Divya Desam number 79 among the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet saints (it is praised in ten hymns by Nammalvar). The temple is also notable as the seat of the Vanamamalai Mutt, an important Tenkalai Sri Vaishnava monastic institution. Nanguneri's ancient name is Thirucheeravaramangai, and the temple is counted among the eight Svayambu Kshetrams, sites where the deity's image is believed to be self-manifested.
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 am to 12:00 pm |
| Evening | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm |
A daily milk and curd abhishekam on the presiding deity is performed around 7:00 am as part of the temple's Vaikhanasa Agama rituals; six daily rituals are observed overall
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals following Vaikhanasa Agama; daily milk and curd abhishekam around 7 am
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Tamil month Thai (January-February), 12 days | Major twelve day annual Brahmotsavam |
| Chariot (Ther) Festival | Tamil month Chittirai (March-April) | Most prominent festival of the temple, featuring the temple car procession |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style temple spanning about 5 acres with three precincts (prakarams), a five tiered gopuram known as the Nandhavarthana Vimanam, and pillared halls (Ardhamandapam, Mahamandapam) with sculpted pillars depicting Puranic scenes; the deity is seated under the canopy of Adisesha, flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi
History
Nanguneri's ancient name is Thirucheeravaramangai, and the temple is counted among the eight Svayambu Kshetrams, sites where the deity's image is believed to be self-manifested. Administrative control of the temple passed to the Vanamamalai Mutt, a Tenkalai Sri Vaishnava monastic institution, in 1447, with its first head being Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeer; in 1794 the Nawab of the Carnatic endowed lands to the Mutt. The Mutt traces its lineage to disciples of Manavala Mamunigal and today oversees more than 200 subsidiary mathas across India. Temple legend holds that Adishesha and Garuda performed penance at this site, and a local legend describes a childless king performing daily oil ablutions on the deity on divine instruction.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Nanguneri is about 30 km from Tirunelveli and has its own railway station nearby; the temple sits on the banks of the Thamiraparani river.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Some legendary/historical details (e.g., the 1500 BC date cited by some tourism sites) are unverifiable folklore rather than confirmed history and were omitted; dress code not found