Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple - Where Nandi Worships Maha Vishnu!



In this blog, we will read about a Divya Desham of Maha Vishnu which stands as a unifying factor for two major sects of Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism. The temple is called by several names - Nathan kovil, Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram and Jagannatha Perumal Kovil. It is situated at the outskirts of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Maha Vishnu worshipped as Jagannatha and His consort is Devi Shenbagavalli. 

Legend has it that once Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva visited Vaikuntham, the abode of Maha Vishnu to meet the Lord. In his excitement, Nandi failed to give proper respect to the Dwarpalaas (gatekeepers) of Vaikuntham. This angered the gatekeepers and they cursed Nandi that he would suffer from oppressive heat all over his body. Lord Shiva advised Nandi to go to the forest named Shenbagaranyam (the place where presently the temple is located) and to meditate on Maha Vishnu to get His help. Accordingly, Nandi sought the Lord's grace. Pleased with his devotion, Maha Vishnu appeared before him and relieved him of the curse. The Lord also said that due to the penance of Nandi, all the places nearby will be referred by his name. Thus the temple came to be called as Nandi Vinnagaram, the place came to be called as Nandipura, the holy ponds in the temple got the name Nandi Theertham and Nandi Pushkarini and the Vimaana (topmost part of the temple) came to be called as Nandi Vimaana. 

As per another legend, Maha Lakshmi wished to secure a position in Maha Vishnu's chest and meditated on the Lord at Shenbagaranyam, thereby earning for Herself, the name Shenbagavalli. 

The temple has deities of Jagannatha Perumal with His consorts Bhudevi and Shridevi at either sides. There is a separate shrine for Devi Shenbagavalli. There are deities of Nandi and Lord Brahma inside the temple. 

Om Namo Narayana! Om Devyai Namaha! Om Nandishwaraaya Namaha! 

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