Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam

The Naanmadiya Perumal Temple (also called Thalachanga Nanmathiyam) is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thalaichangadu, near Akkur in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, 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 Nanmadiya Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Talaichanga Nachiar.

The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi during the Tamil month of Margali (December – January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

It is believed that Vishnu appeared for Chandra, the moon god, who worshipped Vishnu at this place.As per Hindu legend, Chandra, the moon god, is treated 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 the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Chandra once conducted a sacrifice called rajasuya yajna, which was attended by all the celestial deities. Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter) was attracted to Chandra. The moon god took away Tara from Brihaspati, leading to the Tarakamaya War. Brihaspati cursed Chandra to be afflicted by disease. Tara gave birth to Budha (Mercury) for Chandra. According to the temple’s regional legend, to free himself of the curse, Chandra started worshipping Vishnu in this place.Since the presiding deity holds the famous conch, this place came to be known as Talaichankam, with cankam meaning conch.