Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur
Vishnu (as Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana, also called Nanda Vilakku Perumal) temple · Thirunangur, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Thirumanimadam, also called the Narayana Perumal or Badrinarayana Perumal temple, is a Vishnu temple in the village of Thirunangur near Sirkazhi, in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and, in the order in which Thirumangai Alvar sang them, the first of the eleven Thirunangur Divya Desams, a cluster of Vishnu shrines within a short distance of each other that Thirumangai Alvar praised in a continuous series of hymns.
The temple is best known as the gathering place for the Thirunangur Garuda Sevai, held in the Tamil month of Thai, when the festival images of all eleven Thirunangur shrines are brought here and taken out in procession on Garuda vahanas. Dinamalar's temple directory counts it as the 32nd of the 108 Divya Desams.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur
The presiding deity is Narayana, whom devotees identify with the Nara-Narayana of Badrikashram in the Himalayas; Maalaimalar reports the belief that he grants the same blessings here as at Badri, and calls him 'Nanda Vilakku', the ever-burning lamp. Dinamalar and Maalaimalar describe the main image as seated and facing east, with the consort Pundarikavalli in a separate shrine; the festival image is called Alattharkariyan. A commentary on the temple's hymns published in the Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series records the deity as Nara Narayanan and lists Indra and the eleven Rudras as those to whom the Lord is believed to have appeared here.
The temple's legend connects all eleven Thirunangur shrines. According to the version given by Dinamalar, when Shiva performed a furious dance after the death of Sati at Daksha's sacrifice, eleven forms of Shiva arose wherever his matted locks touched the ground. The gods appealed to Vishnu, who appeared here in eleven forms and calmed him. Devotees believe this is why Thirunangur has eleven Vishnu temples and eleven Shiva shrines, with Narayana of Thirumanimadam regarded as the chief among them.
Thirumangai Alvar sang ten hymns on this temple, the decad 3.8 of his Periya Thirumozhi, according to the Sundarasimham ebook, which also notes that decads 3.8 to 4.8 are dedicated in turn to the eleven Thirunangur shrines. Maalaimalar reports a tradition that Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, the teacher who imparted the sacred mantra to Ramanuja, stayed at this temple.
Heritage
History of Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur
Wikipedia records inscriptions at the temple from the Chola and Nayak periods, from about the 10th century onward, and notes the temple's mention in the 18th–19th century work 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar. Its inclusion in Thirumangai Alvar's hymns shows that it was already a recognised shrine in the period of the Alvars.
The name is traditionally explained by the area's former prosperity: Maalaimalar and Wikipedia both report that Thirumanimadam refers to the many rich houses with ornamented balconies that once stood here. The Sundarasimham commentary quotes the local saying 'Nangur nalayiram', said to recall four thousand households in Nangur. Dinamalar gives the temple's puranic name as Palasavanam.
Architecture and sacred features
According to Wikipedia, the temple is built in the Dravidian style, with a five-tiered rajagopuram and all its shrines inside a granite wall; the raised central shrine is reached by steps. Dinamalar names the vimana over the sanctum as the Pranava Vimanam and the sacred tank as Indra Pushkarini, while Maalaimalar and the Sundarasimham ebook also list a Rudra Pushkarini. A hall beside the gopuram is used to house the festival images of the Thirunangur temples during the Garuda Sevai.
A feature noted by Dinamalar, Maalaimalar and Wikipedia is a set of three openings in the gopuram, through which, according to the temple tradition, the morning sun falls on the presiding deity through the year. Dinamalar also notes that the Garuda image here is placed near the flagstaff, below the deity's feet, and that a shrine of Shiva as Madangeswarar faces the Lord.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is a small village temple and may be closed between the morning and evening worship periods. During the Garuda Sevai the village receives very large crowds, and roads around Thirunangur become congested. Dress modestly and follow the directions of temple staff. Confirm current opening times and festival dates with the temple or the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur
Thirunangur Garuda Sevai (Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam)
The festival images of the eleven Thirunangur Perumals are brought to this temple and taken out on golden Garuda vahanas, while Thirumangai Alvar, with Kumudavalli, comes on a swan vahana and his hymns for each shrine are recited. Daily Thanthi describes a three-day sequence beginning on Thai Amavasai.
Brahmotsavam
A ten-day annual festival listed by Dinamalar.
Location
How to Reach Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur
Dinamalar gives Sirkazhi, about 8 km away, as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport. It notes that buses reach the village only at certain times; buses between Sirkazhi and Karaikal stop at Annankoil, from where autorickshaws can be taken. Wikipedia places Thirunangur about 10 km from Sirkazhi on the way to Thiruvenkadu.
Dinamalar suggests Mayiladuthurai for accommodation.
Location: Thirunangur, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Sirkazhi, about 8 km (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (as Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana, also called Nanda Vilakku Perumal) temples · Temples in Nangur · Temples in Sirkazhi Taluk · Temples in Mayiladuthurai District
Questions
Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Thirumanimadam?
Vishnu as Narayana, identified by devotees with the Nara-Narayana of Badrikashram, with his consort Pundarikavalli. He is also called Nanda Vilakku, the ever-burning lamp.
What is the Thirunangur Garuda Sevai?
It is the annual festival in Thai when the festival images of all eleven Thirunangur Divya Desams gather at Thirumanimadam and are taken out on Garuda vahanas, while Thirumangai Alvar's hymns for each shrine are recited.
Why are there eleven Vishnu temples at Thirunangur?
According to the local legend, Vishnu appeared here in eleven forms to calm Shiva's furious dance after Sati's death, and each form is linked to one of the eleven temples.
Is it true that sunlight falls on the deity?
The temple tradition, reported by Dinamalar and Maalaimalar, says the morning sun enters through three openings in the gopuram and falls on the presiding deity through the year.
Which hymns are sung on this temple?
Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumozhi decad 3.8, ten verses, is dedicated to Thirumanimadam.
How do I reach Thirumanimadam?
Sirkazhi railway station is about 8 km away. Buses between Sirkazhi and Karaikal stop at Annankoil, from where autorickshaws go to the village. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar — Arulmigu Badrinarayanar Temple, Thirumanimadakkoil (Tamil temple directory)
- Maalaimalar — Thirunangur Narayana Perumal Kovil (Tamil)
- Daily Thanthi — Arutsevai arulum Thirunangur Garudasevai (Tamil)
- sadagopan.org (ed. Oppiliappan Koil V. Sadagopan) — Tirumanimadakkovil Vaibhavam (Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series)
- Wikipedia — Thirumanimadam
- Wikipedia — Nangur Vishnu Temples
Further reading: Thirumanimadam (Narayana Perumal / Badrinarayana Perumal Temple), Thirunangur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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