At a distance of 45 km from Nagercoil, 46 km from Tirunelveli and 49 km from Kanyakumari, Thirukkurungudi is a holy place for Hindus located on the banks of Nambi River on the foot hills of Mahendragiri in Tamilnadu.
There are 5 Nambis on this Kshetram. They’re Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Of those, Ninra Nambi Temple is the primary temple and is positioned within the middle of the city flanked by 4 large Mada Veethis. The Nambi Rayar Temple or Thirukkurungudi Temple is 1300 years outdated. It is usually known as as Vaamana Kshetram and is one among the many 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu.
In keeping with the legend, Goddess Bhudevi was kidnapped by the demon Hiranyaksha and hid her deep underneath the ocean. All of the deities and sages prayed to Lord Vishnu to retrieve Mom Earth from the demon. Lord Vishnu remodeled right into a wild boar and plunged into deep underneath the ocean. Lord Varaha had fierce battle with Hiranyaksha and saved Mom Earth. After this wonderful incident Lord Vishnu together with Goddess Bhudevi arrived on this sacred land. He passionately regarded upon Goddess and shrunk his terrifying dimension into regular. Thus, this place has acquired in its title ‘Thirukkurungudi’.
Overlaying an space of 18 acres, the temple has 5 prakarams, and is surrounded by an enormous wall, topped with a 5 tiered gopuram. The Vijayanagara rulers and the Nayaks of Madurai have made a number of endowments to this temple, which boasts of a number of beautiful sculptures. The presiding deity is named Ninra Nambi in standing posture. The competition idol is named Azhagiya Nambi or Sundara Paripurnan. The goddess goes by the title of Kurungudi Amman.
Kidandha Nambi and Irundha Nambi are located to the left of Ninra Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is positioned very close to to the River Nambiyaru. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain), which is about eight km from the primary temple. It’s a small mountain the place auto, two wheelers might be employed from the foot hill. There are few steps that can take to the temple entrance. There’s a small waterfall which makes devotees contemporary earlier than going to the temple.
Brahmotsavam (Mar-Apr), Vasantotsavam (Apr-Could), Vaikasi (Could-Jun), Pavitrotsavam (Aug-Sep), and Float competition (Jan-Feb) are the primary festivals celebrated on this temple. Kaisika Ekadasi (Nov-Dec) can be celebrated on this temple.
Temple Timings: 6.30 AM – 12 PM & 5 PM – 9 PM