Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru Neeragam

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru Neeragam
Thiru Neeragam Jagadeeshwara Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located inside the temple premise of Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram. Ulagalanda Perumal Kovil has the significance that this temple enshrines three Divya Desams – Thiruneerakam, Thirukkarakam and Thirukkaarvaanam in its precinct. Thirumangai Azhvaar praises all three Divya Desams in a single Paasuram.

Legends
The legend behind this Divya Desam is that Neer, the water is the primary and necessary element and elixir of all the life on the earth. To explain this, Sri Narayanan is giving his Seva as "Jagadeeshwara Perumal". The Perumal is also called as "Thiru Neeragathan".
It symbolizes that as water rushes towards the place where there is a small opening or hole, likewise, Lord flows into the hearts of the bhaktas and fill their soul with Bhakthi.

The Temple
In the second prakaram of Thiru Ooragam Ulagalandha Perumal Temple behind the 16 Pillar Mandapam Devotees can worship the Shrine of Thiruneerakam where Vishnu is blessing as Neeragathan – Jagadeeshwara Perumal under Jagadeeshwara Vimanam in his Standing Posture facing east. This is the place where Markandeya Maharishi, father in law of Oppiliyappan, once underwent a penance on the banks of River Bathra towards Paranthaman to get his Prathyaksham as “Aalilai Krishnan” – Child Krishna on the Banyan Leaf.

Pleased Vishnu with his Maya recreated the Pralaya Scene again and provided the Sage his Darshan of Aalilai Krishnan on the flood. Even though it is one of the 108 Divyadesams, the Shrine is very small and there is no any clear information about the Temple Vimanam, Gopuram and the Utsava Murthy. Thayar is being worshipped as Nilamangaivalli Nachiyar. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar.

Moolavar &Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Neeragathan. He is also named as Jagadeeshwarar. He is found in Nindra Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards East direction. The Perumal gave Prathyaksham for Akroorar. 
Thaayar:
The Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.
Mangalasasanam:
·        Thirumangai Alwar - 1 Paasuram
Pushkarani:
·        Akroora Theertham
Vimanam:
·        Jagadeeshwara Vimanam
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Literary Mention
Neeragam, Kaarakam and Kaarvaanam Temples are currently found within the Ooragam Divya Desam temple complex, North of Kanchipuram bus stand. All these three temples have been praised by Thirumangai Azhvaar in a single Paasuram along with Thiru Ooragam. There are no specific stories relating to any of these temples. However, a close reading of the Paasuram throws open a few questions.
Thirumangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse:
நீரகத்தை........நிலாத்திங்கள் துண்டத்தாய் நிறைந்த
 
கச்சி ஊர்கதை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பெநிநேனே 
Thirumangai specifically refers to Ooragam Divya Desam as ‘Kachi Ooragathaai’ confirming the presence of Ulagalantha Perumal in Kanchipuram. However, when referring to Neeragam, Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam in the same Paasuram, Thirumangai does not bring the Kanchi connect, throwing open the question as to whether these three Divya Desams were originally outside Kanchi and were then brought into this temple complex much later, after Thirumangai’s time.
Thirumangai Azhvaar’s devotion and attachment to the Lord stands out. This can be seen in the way he connects Lords from different Divya Desams in a single Paasuram. Even as he is praising one Lord, belonging to one Divya Desam, his thoughts seem to be immediately moving to and connecting with Lords belonging to other Divya Desams, which he had already seen.
This particular Paasuram is a perfect example of the beautiful way Thirumangai connects different Divya Desams. Starting with Neeragam, he moves to Nilaa Thingal and then to Ooragam and then brings in Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam as well. 
Connectivity
Ulagalantha perumal temple is located in Kanchipuram. The temple is very close to Sri Kamatchiamman temple and very near to Kanchipuram bus stand. The temple is on the way to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple from Kancheepuram bus stand. 
By Road:
The city of Kanchipuram is well connected with the other part of the states and it is few kms from the Quadrilateral National Highway. There are frequent bus services from Chennai and it takes 2- 3 hours to reach. The Chennai Metropolitan and the state express transport operate the services.
By Train:
Kanchipuram is connected with the southern part of the rail network and few trains are running through Kanchipuram. Suburban trains are running between Kanchipuram and Chennai beach on specified intervals.
By Air:
Chennai, the nearest international airport, is situated around 75 km away from Kanchipuram. Both public and private transport facilities are available at the airport.