Neelamegha Perumal Temple, in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, honours Neelamegha Perumal (Vishnu) with consort Sengamalavalli, also referred to as Raktapankajavalli (both names mean red lotus lady). This is one Divya Desam formed of three adjoining Vishnu temples on the banks of the Vennar river: the Neelamegha Perumal shrine, the Manikundra Perumal shrine with consort Ambujavalli, and the Narasimhar shrine at Yazhi Nagar with consort Thanjai Nayagi. It is also known as Thiruthanjai Mamani Koil, Thanjai Mamani Koil, Thanjavur Perumal Temple, Thirutanjai.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints, sung by Tirumangai Alvar, Nammalvar and Bhoothathalvar. Unusually, all three shrines of this complex are addressed together in the pasurams as a single Divya Desam rather than as separate sites. Temple legend recounts that the demons Thanjaka, Thandaka and Tharakasura troubled the sage Parasara's rituals here.
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 | 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Other secondary sources list slightly different hours (around 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM), so these should be treated as approximate pending confirmation from the temple or HR&CE.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Panguni, Chittirai and Vaikasi (roughly March to June, across three consecutive Tamil months) | The principal annual festival of the temple complex, celebrated across all three shrines of the Divya Desam. |
| Garuda Sevai | Vaikasi (May to June) | A series of Garuda seva processions held during Vaikasi, among the temple's notable annual events. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style. The Neelamegha Perumal shrine has a three tiered, east facing rajagopuram, a separate shrine for Sengamalavalli, and is enclosed within granite walls. The three shrines of the Divya Desam are spread roughly a mile apart from one another.
History
Temple legend recounts that the demons Thanjaka, Thandaka and Tharakasura troubled the sage Parasara's rituals here. Vishnu appeared as Narasimha to defeat Thanjaka (remaining at Yazhi Nagar), as Varaha to defeat Thandaka, and as Neelamegha Perumal to bless the sage. Thanjaka is said to have pleaded for release from his curse, and the place was named Thanjavur after him.
Planning your visit
How to reach
The temple complex is on the main road from Thanjavur to Thiruvaiyaru, about 5 km north of Thanjavur town, and is reachable by local bus or auto-rickshaw. Thanjavur has its own railway station and is well connected by road to Trichy and other major towns.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Darshan timings differ slightly between secondary sources, and no official temple or HR&CE website was found to confirm exact hours; poojas, entry fee and dress code could not be verified and are left blank.