Sri Naanmadhiya Perumal Temple

Sri Naanmadhiya Perumal Temple (also called Thalachanga Nanmathiyam) is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Nanmadhiya Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Talaichanga Nachiar.

The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture. It has a single tiered gopuram and a temple tank in front of it and is called Chandra Pushkarani. The temple has one precinct and two shrines. The temple has a shrine for Naanmadhiya Perumal facing east. It has a conch that is considered one of its kind. It is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri.

Legend

It is believed that Vishnu appeared before Chandra, the moon god, who worshipped Vishnu at this place. According to Hindu legend, Chandra, the moon god, is ranked second after Surya, the sun god, among the Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities. He is also considered the brother of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, as he emerged during Samudra Manthana (the churning of the Ocean of Milk). Chandra once performed a sacrifice called the Rajasuya Yajna, which was attended by all the celestial deities. Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter) was attracted to Chandra. The moon god abducted Tara from Brihaspati, leading to the Tarakamaya War. Brihaspati cursed Chandra to be afflicted by disease. Tara gave birth to Budha (Mercury) by Chandra. According to the temple’s regional legend, to free himself from the curse, Chandra began worshipping Vishnu at this place. Since the presiding deity holds the famous conch, this place came to be known as Talaichankam, with “shankam” meaning conch.

The temple also hosts special ceremonies on auspicious occasions such as Ekadashi , Vaikunta Ekadashi, and Brahmotsavam (a grand annual festival celebrating the deity).