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Tracing its origin from pre-historic times this parashara kshetra seems to have been the cradle of vedic civilization and one of the most sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is rich not only in history and culture, but also in legends. The place acquired its religious importance by being the place of Nayanacharya's penance. The kings' patronage made Tanjore both a Shaivite and a Vaishnavite kshetra at once. Located in the outskirts of Thanjavur at Vennattrankarai stands a memorable monument dedicated to Tanjan after whom the divya desha and the city have been named. The once majestic gopura now stands all alone in ruins.  

Tracing its origin from pre-historic times this parashara kshetra seems to have been the cradle of vedic civilization and one of the most sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is rich not only in history and culture, but also in legends. The place acquired its religious importance by being the place of Nayanacharya's penance. The kings' patronage made Tanjore both a Shaivite and a Vaishnavite kshetra at once. Located in the outskirts of Thanjavur at Vennattrankarai stands a memorable monument dedicated to Tanjan after whom the divya desha and the city have been named. The once majestic gopura now stands all alone in ruins.  

The three temples Thanjai Mamani Koil, Manikundram and Thanjaiyali Nagar in Thanjore together form one Vaishnava Divya Desham. Prof S. Narayanan says, "Historically, the credit goes to the Maratha Bhosles for bringing the three scattered temples to close proximity. The once flourishing and majestic temples of Rajendra now silently speak of that glory that reigned around. The temples have simple structure comprising a domed chamber and a mandapa. Unlike other temples of the region, these temples cannot boast of beautiful sculptures or the artistic depictions. That does not diminish their glory in any way."<ref name=":0" />

The three temples Thanjai Mamani Koil, Manikundram and Thanjaiyali Nagar in Thanjore together form one Vaishnava Divya Desham. Prof S. Narayanan says, "''Historically, the credit goes to the Maratha Bhosles for bringing the three scattered temples to close proximity. The once flourishing and majestic temples of Rajendra now silently speak of that glory that reigned around. The temples have simple structure comprising a domed chamber and a mandapa. Unlike other temples of the region, these temples cannot boast of beautiful sculptures or the artistic depictions. That does not diminish their glory in any way.''"<ref name=":0" />

== Thanjai Mamani koil ==

== Thanjai Mamani koil ==

=== Temple at a glance ===

=== Temple at a glance ===

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|Vishnu

|Vishnu here is worshipped as

|Narasimha

|Narasimha

|-

|-

|Lakshmi

|Lakshmi is worshipped as

|Thanjai Nayaki

|Thanjai Nayaki

|-

|-

|Vimana

|Vimana is called

|Vedasundara Vimana

|Vedasundara Vimana

|-

|-

|Pushkarini

|Pushkarini is named

|Pushkarini

|Pushkarini

|-

|-

|Theertha

|Theertha is called

|Theertha

|Sri Rama Theertha

|}

|}

=== Structure ===

=== Structure ===

The temple without its pyramidal tower is located on a vast

This temple though devoid of the pyramidal tower (gopuram) is endowed with the customary Bali pitha, Dvajasthambha and Garuda Sannidhi. In the temple complex, right at the entrance is a separate shrine for Thirumangai Alwar and to the left is the Sannidhi for Goddess Lakshmi (the embodiment of wealth and grace). 

spread with its customary Bali peeta, Dwajasthamba and Garuda shrine. In this

temple, right at the entrance is ThirumangaiAlwarsannidhi and to the left there

is a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi who is the embodiment of wealth and

grace. 

=== Legends ===

=== Legends ===

Having bathed in the waters of penance, Parasara

Having bathed in the waters of penance, Parasara muni surrendered meekly unto the Lord and built an ashram with his loving devotion. He was engrossed in divine knowledge together with humility, bhakti and love. He began to regard the Lord as his very own and would always be in the contemplation of the Lord day and night. Always yearning for the Lord, he composed sweet verses in praise of the Lord. He dedicated himself completely to the Lord's will longing for his vision. In course of time, the hermitage came to be known as Parasara Kshetra. 

muni surrendered meekly unto the Lord and built an ashram with his loving

devotion. He was engrossed in divine knowledge together with humility, bhakti

and love. He began to regard the Lord as his very own and would always be in

the contemplation of the Lord day and night. Always yearning for the Lord, he

composed sweet verses in praise of the Lord. He dedicated himself completely to

the Lord's will longing for his vision. In course of time, the hermitage came

to be known as ParasaraKshetra. 

When the milky ocean was churned, Parasara muni was one of

When the milky ocean was churned, Parasara muni was one of the rishis, who got for himself Amrutha from Vishnu as a reward for his devotion. The muni brought the Amrutha to the Parasara Kshetra and spilt it into the temple pushkarni. Thus the temple tank rightly earned the name Amruthavarthini. Thus the beings and disciples of Parasara muni prospered in the region of plenty. Then came a natural calamity, a terrible draught lasting for twelve long years. Because of its divine association the only place not affected was Parasara Kshetra. 

the rishis, who got for himself Amrutha fromVishnu as a reward for his

devotion. The muni brought the Arnrutha to the ParasaraKshetra and spilt it

into the temple pushkarni. Thus the temple tank rightly earned the name

Arnruthavarthini. Thus the beings and disciples of Parasara muni prospered in

the region of plenty. Then came a natural calamity, a terrible draught lasting

for twelve long years. Because of its divine association the only place not

affected was ParasaraKshetra. 

As was feared by devas, the three demons having heard of

As was feared by devas, the three demons having heard of this miracle came to Parasara kshetra and polluted the temple tank. They in turn regained their strength manifold. With their evil thoughts and habits they troubled the Muni and his disciples endlessly.  

this miracle came to Parasarakshetra and polluted the temple tank. They in turn

regained their strength manifold. With their evil thoughts and habits they

troubled the Muni and his disciples endlessly.  

On the advice of Brahma the Muni beseeched the help of Lord

On the advice of Brahma the Muni beseeched the help of Lord Shiva. To quell the demons Lord Shiva sent Chandikadevi. On seeing the Devi, Dhandakan rained showers of arrows. But as she killed the demons the other demons would sprinkle water from the pushkarni and infuse new life into the dead bodies. So it was a fight without an end. At this juncture, Lord Vishnu appeared and distilled the Amrutha from the water tank. 

Shiva. To quell the demons Lord Shiva sent Chandikadevi. On seeing the Devi,

Dhandakan rained showers of arrows. But as she killed the demons the other

demons would sprinkle water from the pushkarni and infuse new life into the

dead bodies. So it was a fight without an end. At this juncture, Lord Vishnu

appeared and distilled the Arnrutha from the water tank. 

The asuraThanjakan charged on Vishnu with all sorts of

The asura Tanjakan charged on Vishnu with all sorts of deadly weapons. The encounter between the two was terrible to behold. The thrust that he made was terrific to look at.  

deadly weapons. The encounter between the two was terrible to behold. The

thrust that he made was terrific to look at.  

The fierce battle that followed between the two was

The fierce battle that followed between the two was appalling. Tanjakan was raining arrows. At one point, he with his demonic powers transformed as an elephant came rushing towards the Lord with the Sala tree in his trunk. Displaying exemplary courage and character and standing tall amongst the ruins, the Lord unfazed by the demon, turned back the tide leaving the demon tottering. The Lord brought the curtains down in style with substance and with touches of divine. Dressed in battle fatigues, finally with his Sankalpa the Lord transformed as Narasimha, pressed the demon on his lap. At this juncture the demon surrendered to the Lord seeking refuge with a profound desire that the Lord should reside at Thanjai in the very same Narasimha avatar. He also wanted the place to be glorified as Thanjavur in his memory. Lord, merciful as ever, promised to fulfil his death wish and assured him that he shall always be at Thanjai. The Lord closed all the escape routes and the other demon, Dhandakan was killed by the Lord in a Varaha form after a hot chase. The Lord alone stood victoriously among the ruins. Chandika Devi succeeded in slaving Tharakan and the Lord conferred on her the title EkaVeera. Parasara prayed to the Lord to continue to star at Thanjai. Lord immediately obliged his saintly devotee and enshrined at Thanjai as Neelamegha PerumaL•

appaning. Thanjakan was raining arrows. At one point, he with his demonic

powers transformed as an elephant came rushing n towards the Lord with the Sala

tree in his trunk courage and character andand standing tall amongst the ruins,

the Lord unfazed by tht demon, turned back the tide leaving the demon

tottering. The Lord brought the curtains down in style with substance and with

touches of divine. Dressed in battle fatigues.finally with his Sankalpa the

Lord transformed as Narasimha, pressed the demon on his lap. At this juncture

the demon surrendered to the Lord seeking refuge with a profound desire that

the Lord should reside at Thanjai in the very same Narasimha avatar. He also

wanted the place to be glorified as Thanjavur in his memory. Lord, merciful as

ever, promised to fulfil his death wish and assured him that he shall always be

at Thanjai. The Lord closed all the escape routes and the other demon,

Dhandakan was killed by the Lord in a Varaha form after a hot chase. The Lord

alone stood victoriously among the ruins. Chandika Devi succeeded in slaving

Tharakan and the Lord conferred on her the title EkaVeera. Parasara prayed to the

Lord to continue to star at Thanjai. Lord immediately obliged his saintly

devotee and enshrined at Thanjai as NeelameghaPerumaL•

== References ==

== References ==

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