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[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]

Thiru Thanjai refers to the three temples of Thanjai Mamani Koil, Manikundram and Thanjaiyali Nagar in Tanjore that together constitute one of the 108 vaishnava divya desas. Here, Mahavishnu resides directly facing Thanjavur and is thus, aptly known as Thanjai Kattharulum Deivam.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>

{{NeedCitation}}Thiru Thanjai refers to the three temples of Thanjai Mamani Koil, Manikundram and Thanjaiyali Nagar in Tanjore that together constitute one of the 108 vaishnava divya desas. Here, Mahavishnu resides directly facing Thanjavur and is thus, aptly known as Thanjai Kattharulum Deivam.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

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, <blockquote>''"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" />''</blockquote>

== 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

|Surya 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).<ref name=":0" /> 

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 of Thiru Thanjai ==

Having bathed in the waters of penance, Parasara

Interesting legends surround the Thiru Thanjai kshetra. Some of them have been enumerated below. 

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

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

to be known as ParasaraKshetra. 

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

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

Thiru Thanjai is also named Parashara Kshetra after the great Parashara. It is said that after performing years of penance, Parasara muni surrendered unto the Lord Mahavishnu and built an ashram with his loving devotion. Though endowed with divine knowledge, he was filled with humility, bhakti and love. He would see the Lord as his very own and always be in His contemplation day and night. His constant yearning for the Lord, gave rise to him composing sweet verses in praise of the Lord as he dedicated himself completely to the Lord's will, longing for his darshana. In due course of time, it was this hermitage that came to be known as Parashara Kshetra. 

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

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

At the time of churning of the milky ocean, Parasara muni was one of the rishis, who got Amrutha for himself from Mahavishnu as a reward for his devotion. He brought the Amrutha to the Parashara Kshetra and spilt it into the temple pushkarni. Thus, the temple pond rightly earned the name Amruthavardhini. Even when there was a terrible draught lasting for twelve long years, because of its divine association, the only place that did not get affected was the Parashara Kshetra. 

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

=== Mahavishnu and the Three Demons ===

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

Three demons Dhandakan, Tanjakan and Tarakan heard of the above mentioned miracle at Pushkarini, came to the Parasara kshetra and polluted the temple tank as was feared by devas. Having done so, they also regained their strength manifold. And with their evil thoughts and habits, they troubled Parashara Muni and his disciples endlessly.  

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

Parashara Muni then appealed to Lord Shiva on the advice of Brahma, for help . Lord Shiva sent Chandika devi to put an end to the demons. On seeing the Devi, Dhandakan rained showers of arrows. And as Devi marched forward through it killing the demons, the other demons in the battlefield would sprinkle water from the pushkarini and infuse new life into the dead bodies. This made the fight an endless phenomenon. At this juncture, Lord Vishnu appeared and distilled the Amrutha from the water tank to stop the demons from regaining life. 

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

Seeing this, the asura Tanjakan charged on Lord Vishnu with all sorts of deadly weapons and their encounter became extremely terrible to behold. At one point, Tanjakan with his demonic powers transformed into an elephant and came rushing towards the Lord with the Shala tree in his trunk. It is said that the Lord, displaying exemplary courage and character and standing tall amongst the ruins unfazed by the demon, turned back the tide leaving the demon tottering. Finally, the Lord with the power of his Sankalpa transformed as Narasimha and pressed the demon on his lap. However, the demon surrendered to the Lord seeking refuge. He expressed a profound desire that the Lord should reside at Thanjai in the very same Narasimha avatara and that the place should be named as Thanjavur in his memory. And Mahavishu, merciful as ever, assured him with a promise to stay at Thanjai.

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

The Lord also closed all the escape routes of the other demon Dhandakan and killed him in the Varaha form. And as the Lord stood victorious, Chandika Devi also in the meanwhile succeeded in enslaving Tarakan and was conferred with the title Eka Veera. Parashara Muni then prayed to the Lord to continue to stay at Thanjai and the Lord too immediately obliged his devotee and took residence at Thanjai as Neelamegha Perumal.<ref name=":0" />

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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