Nachiyar Kovil (Thirunaraiyur): The Temple Where the Goddess Leads

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• November 26, 2025
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📍 Location & Access
• Location: Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.3
• Proximity: Located approximately 6 miles (10 km) from Kumbakonam.4
• Access: Easily reached by bus from Kumbakonam.5 The temple is popularly known simply as “Nachiyar Kovil” (The Temple of the Goddess).
• Temple Size: The complex extends to a considerable size of 690 x 288 feet.6

📜 Sthala Puranam: The Three Boons of Medhavi Maharishi
The legend revolves around Medhavi Maharishi, who performed penance wishing for Mahalakshmi to be born as his daughter.7
Vanjulavalli’s Birth and Divine Test

1. Birth: Medhavi Maharishi found a beautiful girl child under a Vanjula Maram (tree) and named her Vanjulavalli.8
2. The Test: When Vanjulavalli reached marriageable age, Lord Narayana appeared in five forms (Vasudevan, Shankarshanan, Prathyumnan, Anirudhan, Purushothaman) to test her.
3. Revelation: After Vasudevan playfully held her hand, Medhavi rushed to curse him, but the five forms vanished, revealing the original Mahavishnu who asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage (Kalyana Thirukkolam).
   The Three Vows
   Before consenting, Medhavi Maharishi asked for three crucial boons from Mahavishnu:
4. He should attain eternity (life beyond birth and death).
5. All living beings in Naraiyur (Thirunaraiyur) should attain salvation.
6. His daughter, Vanjulavalli (Thaayar), should be given the first place and precedence in all aspects.
   • The Temple Name: Since the Lord granted the third wish, giving His wife the first status, the temple is known as Nachiyar Kovil (Temple of the Goddess), mirroring the significance of Madurai (Meenakshi).
   • Moolavar Posture: In the sanctum, the Lord (Thirunarayur Nambi) stands in a begging posture (Kalyana Thirukkolam) seeking Vanjulavalli’s hand.9 In accordance with the boon, Thaayar stands a step ahead of the Perumal.

💎 Unique Speciality: The Mystical Kal Garuda Sevai
The most famous wonder of this temple is the stone idol of Garuda (Periya Thiruvadi), who serves as the Vahanam (mount) of Thirunarayur Nambi.10
• Weight Mystery: When the stone Garuda idol is taken out for procession during the Kal Garuda Sevai (twice a year, in Margazhi and Panguni months), its weight mystically increases exponentially in stages.11 It requires 4 people to carry it initially, then 8, 16, and finally up to 32 people outside the temple perimeter.
• Return: Upon returning, Garuda begins to lose weight in stages until he can be easily carried by 4 people back into his shrine.
• The Vow Fulfillment: This slow, heavy movement of the Lord (carried by Garuda) ensures that the Goddess, who is carried by her light-weight Vahanam (the Swan/Annapatchi), always leads the procession, thereby fulfilling the Lord’s promise to Medhavi Maharishi that His wife would always be given the first place.
• Offering: Garuda is treated with great reverence, equivalent to Lord Vinayaka, and is offered a Mothakam (sweet dish) called “Amudha Kalasam.”12

🔱 Temple Deities & Architectural Details
• Moolavar (Presiding Deity): Thirunarayur Nambi (also known as Srinivasan and Vasudevan).13
o Posture: Standing Posture (Kalyana Thirukkolam), facing East.
o Prathyaksham (Appeared to): Medhavi Munivar and Lord Brahma.
• Thayaar (Consort): Vanjulavalli Naachiyar. (Stands a step ahead of the Moolavar).
• Vimanam (Temple Tower): Srinivasa Vimaanam.14
• Pushkarani (Holy Tank): Mani Mukthi Nadhi Theertham (A massive tank, 648×225 ft, named for a diamond (Mani) that fell and turned into a pearl (Muthu))15. Also features Aniruddha, Pradhyumna, Samba, and Sankarshana Theerthams.16

📞 Plan Your Pilgrimage to Nachiyar Kovil (Thirunaraiyur) – The Goddess’s Abode – 91- 435 – 246 7017 For further information, including pilgrimage arrangements, travel plans, or pricing details, please contact “Rengha Holidays and Tourism.” 9443004141 https://renghaholidays.com/