Moolavar : Parimala Ranganathar, Sugantha Vana Nathar
Amman / Thayar : Parimala Ranganayaki, Chandras Shaba Vimochana Valli
Theertham : Indu Pushkarini
Old year : 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name : Tiru Indalur
City : Tiru Indalur
District : Nagapattinam
State : Tamil Nadu
Singers:
The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirumangai Azhwar in his Mangalasasanam hymns. Appearing in various colours, Azhwar asks Lord what his real colour is – white as milk, dark as a cloud, glittering as gold or that of precious gem, will you tell me my Lord in Indalur.
Festival:
Perumal coming in procession on the first day of Chithirai – coinciding with April 14 generally; 10 day Sri Andal Aadi Pooram festival in July-August; Thayar Navarthri Utsav in Purattasi-September-October; 10 day Aipasi Thula Brahmmotsav in October-November, 20 days Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi utsav in December-January; Thai Makar Sankranthi (pongal) falling almost on January 14 each year and 10 day Panguni Brahmmotsav in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Temple’s Speciality:
This is one the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Perumal. This is the place where the Ekadasi Fasting (11th day of full moon or new moon day) gained its special importance.
Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Address:
Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple, Tiru Indalur, Nagapattinam district.
Temple History
Sri Parimala Ranganathar Temple, Tiru Indalur, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India.
This is one the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Perumal. This is the place where the Ekadasi Fasting (11th day of full moon or new moon day) gained its special importance.
The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirumangai Azhwar in his Mangalasasanam hymns. Appearing in various colours, Azhwar asks Lord what his real colour is – white as milk, dark as a cloud, glittering as gold or that of precious gem, will you tell me my Lord in Indalur.
Being one among the celebrated Divya Desas, the temple with its five tier Rajagopuram is built on a land area measuring 350 feet in length and 230 feet in breadth. Planet Moon got relieved of his curse here after a bath in the sacred spring. Chandra-Moon worships the face of the Lord, Sun the feet and Lord Brahmma the naval. Mother Cauvery worships Perumal on His head side while Mother Ganga His feet. Yama and Ambarishan also worship the Lord at His feet. Mother Cauvery has greater importance in this place than Mother Ganga.
The history of the temple speaks the greatness of Ekadasi Vrata-fasting, that is the devotee committed to this prayer should spend the whole day only with thoughts of Lord without consuming even a drop of water. King Ambarishan was following this practice meticulously. The devotee should take food only the next day-Dwadasi the 12th day of New Moon or Full moon at an auspicious time. And that was the 100th Ekadasi-Dwadasi for king Ambarisha. People of his country and those in the palace were happy that their king will be completing a century and there were necessary arrangements for the celebrations.
But, people in the celestial world were unhappy because, Ambarishan may be elevated to their status if his 100th fasting went successfully. They did not want to lose their position for a human. They approached Sage Durvasa to undo his fasting and help retaining their positions. The sage, noted for his temperament assured the Devas to help them and came down to earth. By then, the king had finished the Ekadasi fasting. The fasting would become complete only if he took his food before the prescribed time the next day-Dwadasi. If the time ends, the fruits of the fasting also would be lost. The king did not know that the sage had come with an evil plan.
The king was about to take his food when Sage Durvasa entered his palace. The king was doubly glad to have a guest in Sage Durvasa and requested him to accept his hospitality-dining with him. The sage cunningly told him that he accepted his invitation and would be back to be with him for the lunch after a bath in the river.
His plan was to fail the king. The time was fast nearing.
The king was afraid of the curse of the sage if he ate without him. He consulted the pandits in his court. The chief pandit said that if he simply consumes of few drops of water, he would complete the fasting in order. King did this and was waiting for the sage to have the full food.
Knowing this through his powers, Durvasa created a ghost to kill the king. When the ghost began chasing him, Ambarisha sought asylum at Lord’s feet. Perumal looked at the ghost angrily. The ghost began to retreat and disappeared. Realizing the devotion of the king and the power of his fasting, sage Durvasa sought the pardon of the Lord. The sage was pardoned.
When asked by the Lord of his wish after completing 100 Ekadasi fastings, king Ambarisha begged the Lord that He should stay at this place and bless the devotees. Pleased with the king’s request, Lord Vishnu-Perumal is blessing His devotees from this temple as Parimala Ranganathar.
