Thanjai Mamani Koil (Neelamega Perumal Temple), Thanjavur

Sthala Purāṇam

Thanjai Mamani Koil at Thanjavur is unique among the hundred and eight Divya Desams, being a single Divya Desam comprising three adjacent Vishnu shrines near the banks of the Vennaru river. According to the sthala puranam, drawn from the Brahmanda Purana, the asuras Thanjakan and Thandakan, together with a third demon, having won boons from Lord Shiva, grew mighty and tormented the sage Parashara and other rishis at their penance. Vishnu intervened in distinct forms: he slew Thanjakan with the Sudarshana Chakra; taking the shape of a Yali, a mythical lion-beast, he destroyed one of the demons; and assuming the Varaha form he pursued Thandakan, who fled toward Srimushnam. The dying Thanjakan pleaded for grace, and Vishnu granted the boon that the city be named after him, and hence it became Thanjavur. The three shrines that together constitute the one Divya Desam are dedicated to Neelamegha Perumal, with the Thayar Sengamalavalli in a separate sannidhi; to Manikundra Perumal, the Lord and his consort enshrined in a single sanctum; and to Veera Narasimha Perumal, the last also called Thandarai Vinnagaram or Thanjaiyali Koil, recalling the Yali avatara. This trinity of temples is glorified in the pasurams of Thirumangai Alvar.

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