Thiruneermalai Sri Ranganathar Simha vahana purappadu 2015

For a Srivaishnavaite, service (kainkaryam) to Sriman Narayana and His devotees is the purpose of life.  We take immense pleasure in  visiting Divyadesams and worshipping Sriman Narayana in pristine glory in such places.  In the Thondaimandalam (very much inside the city of Chennai) lies the divyadesam – Thiruneermalai. 

Thiruneermalai  has a beautiful pushkarini and is in two parts – one at the ground level and the other atop a small hill.

the temple as seen from the ground (above) and

the temple as seen from the hill (below)

The sannathi of Neervannar is at the base along with his consort Animamalar Thayar and sannathies of Kalyana Ramar and Andal. As one  ascends 300 odd steps, one can have great darshan of Lord Ranganathar (in reclining posture);  Thiruvikramar; Lord Narasimha (in sitting posture)  - “நின்றானிருந்தான் கிடந்தான் நடந்தாற்கிடம் மாமலையாவது நீர்மலையே” – in the words of Thirumangai Azhwar.  At the time of Azhwar mangalasasanam, this place was surrounded by water and hence ‘Thiruneermalai”. 

Today had the fortune of worshipping at this Divyadesam.  Today it was 2^nd day of Sri Ranganathar Brahmothsavam and there was Simha vahana purappadu.  Here are some photos taken by me.   The sarruppadi deserves special mention !

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

3^rd May 2015.