Thirukurungudi is a town which is located in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, South India. The taluk of Thirukurungudi is Nanguneri and it belongs to Nanguneri Assembly. At the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of kanyakumari and about 120 km from Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala, Thirukurungudi is a village with history dating back more than 1500 years. Village life revolves around agriculture and the Nambi Rayar temple. It is one of the 108 Divya desam, Hindu temples that are sacred for theVaishnavites.

 

This is the home town of the founder, T. V. Sundaram Iyengar of TVS Group .
 

Rice was the major crop until 15 years ago as there was plenty of rainfall and the River Nambi fed the irrigation channels for almost 9 months a year. With advancement in technology to tap ground water and rain becoming scarce, plantains have become a major crop. Almost every household has something related to agriculture, either directly or through the Nambi Rayar temple.
 

The tank in Thirukurungudi is the first place where pristine water from Western Ghats is stored and fed for agriculture through five canals. The pond is a biodiversity hotspot supporting various forms of life from fish, birds, insects, plants, toads and an occasional python.
 

Thirukurungudi is approachable by road. Distance is 45 km from Tirunelveli, 15 km from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 km from Valliyoor.

 

Nambi Rayar temple is one of the "108 Divyadesams" according to the Vaishnava mythology. The temple is 1300 years old. The temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets).

 

The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran,Nammalvar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple has several unique sculptures. A Horse and an elephant sculpture are composed of ladies in a single granite stone.
 

The walls of the temple resemble a big fort and the village has been formed around these walls in a very organized manner.The interiors of the main temple tower is covered with wood sculptures of teak depicting most of the deities as well as other secular scenes.

There are five Nambis in this Kshetram.

They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located very near to the River Nambiyaru one km from the main temple. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 km from the main temple.

 

In Tamil language the word "nambi" means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace.

 

 

Head of Brahma devan, came to this sthalam and as advised by the Nindra Nambi, to get out of the dosham, he begged from Kurungudi Valli Thaayar for Amudham (food) to get out of the dosham as pabha Vimocchanam. And after this, he learnt the Sudharsana Japam from Vaamanar and got completly out of the Dosham.

 

By this sthala perumal's Kurungudi Nambis seva only, Nammalvar born to his mother, Udaya Nangai. Thirumangai alwar got his Mukthi (attained paramapadham) in this sthalam and as a memory of this, a small temple is constructed with the name "Thirumangai Alwar Thiru varasu" in the banks of the river, which is towards the east direction of the temple.

 

 

"Nambu" means believe and "Nambi" means believed by all. As the name of the perumal, Nindra Nambi, he is believed and devoted by all the bhaktaas. Like Narayanan who gives his seva in Nindra, Kidantha and Irundha thirukkolam, Siva perumaan also gives his seva as Siva linga Swaroopan in Nindra Kolam as a dancing person. Thirukkayilai and as Thiruthaandava Kolam as a dancing person. Like the same way, Siva perumaan when came to meet and get the dharshan of Nambi perumal, he met him and got the Vimochan of the pabham. As a result of this, a separate sannadhi for Lord Shivan as "Magendranadhar", who is found inbetween Kidantha Nambi and Iruntha Nambi perumal sannadhi.

 

Nearer to Kurungudi, there lived a valla Baanan (musician) who wanted to worship Kurungudi Nambi on sukla patch Ekadesi. Once, he came along the way to Kurungudi, a Brahma Raatshashan (a wild demon) was very hungry and happened to see this Baanan. It said him that since he is too much of hunger, he is going to be ate as his food. But Baanan replied him that he is going to Kurungudi to get the dharshan, of Kurungudi Nambi and after getting that, he can eat him. After getting the words from him, the demon asked him to go and will wait until he comes.

 

 

The Baanan after reaching Kurungudi, stood infront of the Kurungudi temple vaasal (entrance) Inspite of the Dhavasthambham (Kodi Maram) screened the perumal without seeing it, the Baanan started to sing on him, forgetting all things around him. After hearing this, the Kodimaram, which was infront of him made a way to the Baanan, so that he could see the Nambi perumal. He sang the Paasurams of Nammalwar with some musical way in it.

 

 

After getting satisfied on the Baanan's devotion and his devotional songs, Kurungudi Nambi gave his seva to him and gave him the title as "Nampaaduvaan". Nampaaduvaan can be explained as that the song was sung about the perumal and Baanan was singing it and from now he should sing always on him. And to extend this, he was gave the title as "Nampaaduvaan" by the perumal itself.

 

 

After getting the dharshan and getting the title from Kurungudi Nambi, the Baanan went straight to the Raatshashan and asked him that now he can eat him as his food. The demon asked what did he sing on the perumal? As the Baanan started to expalin it, the demon hearing it gorgot all of its hunger and let the Baanan free. Inspite of being so wild, the paasurams of perumal went along the Ears of the demon and filled not only the stomach of it but also the entrie heart and body of the Raatshashan. And the perumal asked Baanan to give the Paasuram to the Raatshashan so that he will not suffer from hunger anymore and he gave him the paasuram. This story is well explained in Varaha Puranam. This story is played as a small drama during Kausika Ekadesi.

 

 

The prasaadham (food) which is done the Naivedhyam (offered) for the perumal is offered for Lord shiva of this temple. On entering the temple, a big Mattaiyadi Mandapam is found and we can also see another Mandapam, Nadhi Mandapam. After crossing, the kodi maram is found, with lots of rare sculptures in it. Next to the mandapam, we find the sannadhi of Manavala Maamunigal. An hanging bell can be found in Kulasekara Mandapam which is offered by a king of Thiruvidhangodu to the Nambi perumal. Moolavar Nindra Nambi is also named as "Pari pooranan" and found along with two pirattiyaars, Maarkandeya Maharishi and Brighu Maharishi in Nindra kola seva.

 

Next to him, we can find the Vainava Nambi, the utsavar along with two pirattis, Neela Devi and Kurungudi valli thaayar.

 

On the south pragharam of this temple, a separate sannadhi for Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lakshmi Sametha varaha Moorthy and in west prakaram - all ten Avataars, Dasavathaar, Srinivasa perumal Andal and Kurungudi Valli Thaayar Sannadhi are found.

 

 

Also separate sannadhi for Nindra Nambi Veetrirundha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi.

Close to the Nambi's legs, the head of the Mahabali is found. The Irundha Nambi is also named as "Vaikundhanadhan". 5 Kms after this sthalam, Malaimel Nambi is found on the top of the mountain. Kurungudiyavan kudi is the other name for Vaamanar of this sthalam and he is found on a small Chattiram, 1/2 miles on south direction. 1/2 miles away a small river named "Thiruppaarkadal" is found, where Thriuppaarkadal Nambi Sannadhi is found.

 

 

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolvar of this Divyadesam is Sri Nindra Nambi. Also called as Kurungudi Nambi, Irundha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi, Vaishnava Nambi, Thiruppaarkadal Nambi and Malaimel Nambi. Moolavar in Nindra Thirukkolam giving his seva and facing his thirumugam in east direction. Prathyaksham for Lord Shivan.

 

Thaayar: Kurungudi valli Naachiyaar. Two separate sannadhi for two pirattis.

 

Mangalasasanam:

• Periyalwar - 1 Paasuram

• Thirumazhisai Alwar - 1 Paasuram

• Nammalwar - 13 Paasurams

• Thirumangai Alwar- 25 Paasurams Total - 40

 

Pushkarani:

• Thiruppaarkadal

• Panjadurai

• Sindu Nadhi.

Vimanam:
Panja Kedhaka Vimaanam.