On the hills close by stands a small temple dedicated to Lord Nambi called Malai Nambi with a panoramic view of the village below. This hill is called Nambi Malai (Nambi Hill).
History of Nambi Malai
AT the foot of the Mahendragiri hills on the western
ghats and on the banks of the river Nambiyaru lies the sleepy
village of Tirukkrungudi, the abode of Narayana. In the ``Varaha
Purana'' the Lord speaks of His sojourn in this holy village.
Thus this place derives its name ``Kurungudi'' the smaller abode
of Narayana. This centre is also called ``Dakshina Badri.'' While
at Badri in the north, Narayana preached the ``Tirumantram''
through ``Uttara'' a human being for the salvation of the
entire commnity, it was at Tirukkurungudi that Saint Sri Ramanuja
gave his sermon on ``Tirumantram'' to the Lord Himself.
Temple worship is a way of life in the south and
tradition has an important place in the life of its people.
Historical evidence shows that the close links between Hindu
temples and Tamil literature dated back to several centuries.
Tamil life cannot be visualised without the temples. The fanes of
Tamil Nadu are unique for their close association with many
saints and their hymns. The tradition of singing hymns in temples
has been an established practice. Sri Ramanuja, the Vaishnavite
acharya, who propagated the ``Visistadvaita'' philosophy codified
certain rituals in temple worship and made it obligatory to
recite the great hymns of Alwars Divya Prabhandam in temples
along with Sanskrit scriptures.
The temple at Tirukkurungudi is dedicated to Lord Nambi,
called Sundara Paripurnam in Sanskrit and Nambi Narayan in Hindi.
As the name signifies there is no equal to the beauty and
fascination of the deity and He is beauty personified. The
majestic mools vigrahas are in different postures of standing,
sitting and lying. These huge idols are carved of stone with
application of natural colours and decorated with gold leaves as
per our agama rituals. Nammazhwar the foremost amongst the
Vaishnavite saints, is considered to be the incarnation of Lord
Nambi. Nammazhwar, Periazhwar, Tirumazhisai Azhwar and Tirumangai
Azhwar have chanted hymns in praise of Lord Nambi in the ``Divya
Prabhandam.''
A shrine for Lord Siva is installed inside the temple
besides the main shrine of Lord Nambi, and the deity is called
``Pakkam Nindrar'' and this has been immortalised in his hymns by
Tirumangai azwar. After worshipping Badri Narayana and Lord
Ranganatha, Tirumangai azwar attained salvation at the feet of
Lord Nambi. For upholding and preaching Vaishnavism Saint
Ramanuja founded at Tirukkurungudi ``Sri Perarula Ramanuja Jeer
Swami Mutt'' which governs the temple. Kaisika Ekadasi falling
during the Tamil month of Karthigai is of importance in this
temple as also Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam, and attracts
thousands of pilgrims. The presiding deity is taken round on
different vahanams during the annual brahmotsavam. p73
At one time 18 families of Arayars were performing the
traditional art of chanting the name of the Lord gestures, and on
one occasion Lord Nambi himself witnessed the scene appearing as
a Srivaishnavite. Pleased by the devotion the Lord gave salvation
to all the members of the Arayar families. In recognition of
their services a bell is installed inside the sanctum. A huge
carvedbell presented by the Kerala king Aditya Verma in 1468 AD
is also found in the temple. On the hills close by stands a small
temple dedicated to Lord Nambi called ``Malai Nambi,'' with a
panoramic view of the village below.
An interesting stone inscription is found on both ends of
the south mada street, of an agraharam having been built by a
British officer, Mr. Livings who was the Collector of Tirunelveli
during 1849 A.D. The early temples were built in the form of
mandapam for the sanctum. Later the arthamandapam, mukhamandapam
and mahamandapam were added to meet the growing need for rituals
and festivals. The temple at Tirukkurungudi has a collection,
intricate carvings with exuberant details rich in different
styles of the Pandyan and Nayak dynasties. Superb wood carvings
are found in the tiers of the temple tower. Large stone carvings
at the Rati mandapam and Veerappa Nayak mandapam exhibit
intricate details. The masterpiece is the carved Narasimha
performing the ``Hiranya Vadham.'' The mastery of the artisan is
visible on the walls of the main tower and special mention is of
a piece depicting the trading between India and the Persian gulf.
Photos of Nambi Kovil
Lord Nambi
