Neervanna Perumal Temple, Thiruneermalai

Sthala Purāṇam

The Neervanna Perumal Temple at Thiruneermalai, near Pallavaram, is a unique Divya Desam comprising two shrines: Neervanna Perumal at the base of the hill and Sri Ranganatha atop it. The name is explained through the term Thoyagiri (Thothadri): thoya means water and adri or giri means hill, for the mount was once encircled by water, giving the site the name Thiru-neer-malai, the sacred water hill. The Lord manifests here in four postures: Neervanna Perumal standing (also called Neelamugil Vannan), Narasimha seated, Ranganatha reclining upon Adisesha at the hilltop, and Ulagalanda Perumal (Trivikrama) in walking stance. The principal legend concerns Thirumangai Alvar, who came to worship but found the hill surrounded by water; he waited six months until the waters receded before ascending, and his dwelling came to be called Thirumangai Alwarpuram. Sage Valmiki is also traditionally said to have worshipped three of the forms before receiving the darshan of Lord Rama here. The temple was sung by Thirumangai Alvar in nineteen pasurams and by Bhutathalvar in one, in the Divya Prabandham. The vimanas include the Ranga Vimanam over Ranganatha, the Santha Vimanam over Narasimha, and the Thoyagiri Vimanam over Ulagalanda Perumal. The sacred tanks include the Kshetra, Karunya, Siddha, and Swarna Pushkarinis.

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