Devanayaka Perumal Temple, in Thirunangur in Tamil Nadu, honours Devanayaka Perumal, also called Madhava Perumal, with consort Samudradanaya. It is also known as Thiruthevanarthogai, Madhava Perumal Temple.
The temple is the 38th of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu shrines glorified by the Alvar poet saints in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, and it is one of the eleven Thirunangur Thirupathis, the cluster of Divya Desams concentrated in the small town of Thirunangur. It is revered in verses by Peryalvar and Thirumalisai Alvar, and Thirumangai Alvar dedicated ten pasurams to it Local legend holds that after a dispute Shiva began a furious tandava dance and Vishnu appeared in eleven forms across Thirunangur to pacify him, this temple marking one of those manifestations.
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 10:00 AM |
| Evening | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM |
Four daily rituals are performed: Ushathkalam (8 AM), Kalasanthi (10 AM), Sayarakshai (5 PM) and Ardha Jamam (7 PM)
Poojas and daily rituals
Ushathkalam, Kalasanthi, Sayarakshai and Ardha Jamam, each including alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (lamp waving) for both deities
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam (Garudasevai) | Tamil month of Thai, roughly January to February | Festival images of all eleven Thirunangur Thirupathis are mounted on a Garuda shaped vehicle, while Thirumangai Alvar's festival image travels on a Hamsa Vahanam and his devotional verses are recited at each of the eleven shrines; strong winds ahead of the festival are locally believed to indicate a good harvest |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style with a three tiered rajagopuram and a west facing entrance; the presiding deity stands facing east within concentric rectangular walls; a Garuda mandapa stands near the flagstaff and a temple tank lies in front of the temple
History
Local legend holds that after a dispute Shiva began a furious tandava dance and Vishnu appeared in eleven forms across Thirunangur to pacify him, this temple marking one of those manifestations. Tradition also holds that celestial deities assembled here and that the sage Vasishtha, along with the eleven Rudras and Indra, worshipped at this site. The temple is mentioned in the 18th-19th century work 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar, and local tradition holds that Thirumangai Alvar visits annually to consecrate the eleven deities of Thirunangur. The temple follows the Tenkalai mode of worship
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in the Keezhachalai area of Thirunangur, about 6.5 km from Sirkali and about 1 km from Thiruvali, in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Based on a single well-established source (Wikipedia); built era, entry fee and dress code could not be independently verified