HH Sri Kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami’s Thirunakshatram – Vanamamali

Today the 20th of November 2011, Karthigai Pooram is the Thirunakshatram of Sri Kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami of Vanamamali Mutt

Sri Vanamamali Mutt was established by Sri Varavaramuneendra swami/Sri Manavala mamunigal through his first and foremost disciple among Ashta diggaja shisyas Sri Ponnadikkal Jeeyar Swami in the year 1410 A.D.It has 83 branches all over India and Nepal.

About Vanamamalai Temple:
Located about 30kms South of Tirunelveli, off the Nagercoil Highway and about 10kms from Thiru Kurungudi Divya Desam is Vaanamaalai Thothadri Nathan Divya Desam at Nanguneri.

Direction to the temple
In centuries gone by, this place was identified as being 1 yojana South of Tamaraibarani, 2 yojanas North of Bay of Bengal and 3 yojanas West of Indian Ocean and Half a yojana East of the Mahendra Hills.

Puranic reference
The story relating to Thothadri finds reference in Brahmanda Puranam, Skanda Puranam and Narasimha Puranam.It is said that Lord Shiva narrated the story and the significance and greatness of Thothadri and Varamangai to Sage Narada, who having heard the story is believed to gone to Vaikuntam and heaped praised on Narayana.

The Name
Adisesha undertook penance here and hence this place came to be called ‘Naaganai’ Cheri. As the huge lake around the temple was split into 4 canals, this place was referred to as ‘Nangu’ ‘Eri’.
Goddess Lakshmi grew up at Thothadri as Varamangai and later met and married the Lord here. Hence, this place is also referred to as SriVaramangai. In Azhvaar’s praise of the Lord here, he refers to him as the Lord of Varamangai Nagar.
One of the Eight Swayam Vyatha Kshetram
This is one of the eight sacred Swayam Vyaktha Vishnu Sthalams, the others being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupathi, Saligramam, Naimi Saranyam, Pushkaram and Badrinath.

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Thothadri Nathan(Vaanamaamalai Perumal) East Facing Sitting Posture
Goddess : Srivaramangai Thaayar
Utsava Deity : Deiva Nayakan
Azhvaar Paasuram: Nam Azhvaar 11Paasurams (3407-17)
Time : 8am-12noon and 5pm-9pm
Priest : Nambi Srinivasa Bhattar @ 04635 250537 or 99942 76118
Temple Office Number : 04635 250119

Festivals
2 Brahmotsavams – one in Panguni and one in Chitrai

How to reach
Buses every 10minutes between Tirunelveli and Nagercoil
(Nanguneri can be reached within 45minutes from Tirunelveli bus stand)

Kanyakumari Exp and Ananthapuri Express from Chennai stop at Nanguneri station.