Sthala Puranam – Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram Sirkazhi

 Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagaram divya desam in Sirkazhi, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami.

Located in the heart of Sirkazhi is the Kaazhi Cheerama Vinnagara Divya Desam, one where Thiru Mangai Azhvaar met with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.  This is one of the five Divya Desams referred by Thirumangai Azhvaar as ‘Vinnagaram’, the others being Parameswara Vinnagaram (Kanchipuram), Arimeya Vinnagara (Thiru Naangur), Vaikunta Vinnagaram (Thiru Nangur) and Nandipura Vinnagaram (Nathan Koil, Kumbakonam).  Another feature of Thirumangai’s praise of this Divya Desam is his reference to the Goddess in his Paasurams here.

The Story
Brahma had grown arrogant about his life span. To defuse his arrogance, Sage Romasa invoked the blessings of Lord Vishnu and was granted a boon, whereby for every hair lock that fell from the Rishi, Brahmma’s life time would reduce by a year. Asked what else he wanted, the sage asked for the Lord to display his Trivikrama form at this place. This is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu in his Vaamana Avataaram measured his first step. At this Divya Desam, only the left foot of the Lord can be seen every day. The right foot can be seen only once a year on the Vaikunta Ekadesi day.

Thirumangai Azhvaar blocked at Sirkazhi
It is here at Sirkazhi that the great Saivite poet Thiru Gnana Sambandhar met with Thiru Mangai Mannan and engaged in a debate. After visiting Thiru Chitrakoodam (Chidambaram), Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They blocked Thirumangai and asked his followers not to shout praises of Thiru Mangai in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They wanted Thirumangai to meet Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and win over him, before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai.

Debate between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
In the first meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10 verses of praise in the name of Vishnu.

“ஒரு குரலாய் இரு நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி
உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒதுக்கி
ஒன்றும் தருக ஏனா மாவழிய சிறகில் வைத்த
தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர் தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்
திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி அய்ந்தும்
அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்

தெருவில் மலி விழ வளமும் சிறக்கும்
காழி சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”

Pleased and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’ and presented him with the ‘Vel’(spear). Among the Azhvaars, Thiru Mangai is the only one who has been crowned with the ‘Vel’.

Thirumangai’s 8 different names referred here at this place
The Paasuram relating to this divya desam is the only one where Thirumangai refers to each of his 8 different names – Aali Naathan, Arul Maari, Aratha Mukki, Adayar Seeyam, Kongumalai Kuzhaliyar Vel, Mangai Venthan, Parakaalan and Kaliyan.

It is believed that worshipping the Lord at Sirkazhi on 9 Fridays will relieve one of all sins.

Administration Kaazhi Chirama Vinnagaram Divya Desam
The temple is administered by Chola Simhapuram Koil Kanthaadai Chantamaarutham Swami Dhoddayacharyar.

Festivals
Pavitrotsavam in Aavani
Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Thaadalan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess   : Loga Naayaki
Utsavar   : Trivikrama Narayanan
Azhvaar  :  ThiruMangai Azhvaar 10 Paasurams
Time        : 730am-1130am and 4.30pm-830pm
Priest : Badri Narayana Bhattar @  04364 270207 or 94424 19989

Located 235kms South of Madras, 20kms South of Chidambaram, 20 kms North of Maayavaramand 70kms West of Nagapattinam, there are buses every 30minutes from Madras, Chidambaram and Kumbakonam
Daily trains between Madras and Mayavaram stop at Sirkazhi
English writeup: Thanks to prtraveller