LOCATION
Tirukurungudi is one of the 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams situated on the banks of the River Nambiyaru. It is approachable by road. Distance is 45 KM from Tirunelveli, 15 KM from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 KM from Valliyoor. Lord Sri Azhagiya Nambi Temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets). The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar.
FIVE NAMBIS
There are five Nambis in this Kshetram. They are Ninra Nambi (Standing posture), Irundha Nambi (Sitting posture), Kidandha Nambi (Sleeping posture), Thiruparkadal Nambi and Thirumalai Nambi. Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is located very near to the River Nambiyaru one KM from the main temple. Thirumalai Nambi Temple is on the hills (Mahendragiri Mountain) 8 KM from the main temple. In Tamil language the word ‘NAMBI’ means personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace.
KAISIKA PURANAM
Tirukurungudi is a very ancient village referred in Varaha Puranam and Brahmanda Puranam. Kaisika Puranam is within Varaha Puranam and was narrated by Varaha Nainar (Third incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu) to Sri Bhoomi Devi. Nampaduvan (Madangar) was a great devotee of Lord Nambi, though he was born in a very low class society. He used to sing in praise of the Lord Nambi. One day that is on Sukla Ekadasi night in the month of Karthigai (Vrichika masam) he was going to Temple crossing through a dense forest. He was encountered by a Brahma Rakshas (Demon) who was hungry for many days. On seeing Nampaduvan, Brahma Rakshas was very happy and told him that he wanted to eat him immediately. Nampaduvan was not terrified, but told Brahma Rakshas that he would finish his duty first, that is to sing in praise of Lord Nambi and would return without fail. Nampaduvan made many promises, but Rakshas was adamant. Ultimately Nampaduvan had made a promise that if he did not return, he would get the sin of those who equate Lord Maha Vishnu with other deities. On hearing this promise Brahma Rakshas was very much satisfied and allowed Nampaduvan to do his duty and return. After singing in praise of the Lord Nambi in the Ragam (tune) Kaisikam Nampaduvan was returning to see Rakshas. On the way Lord Nambi in the guise of an old man stopped Nampaduvan and asked him where he was going. Nampaduvan told the truth. The old man advised him to escape in some other route and not to get in the clutches of Rakshas. But Nampaduvan reiterated that he would not deviate from his promise. The old man showed his original image (Lord Nambi) and blessed Nampaduvan.
Then Nampaduvan went to Rakshas and offered himself to be eaten by Rakshas. Rakshas was very much moved by the behaviour of Nampaduvan and told him that his hunger had vanished and prayed him to give the fruits of his song sung in the praise of Lord Nambi and persisted him several times. Nampaduvan did not budge an inch, but ultimately offered him the fruits of his song since Brahma Rakshas totally surrendered. After obtaining the fruits of the song, the sin of Rakshas disappeared suddenly and he got his original image. He worshiped Nampaduvan and thanked him by saying that he was a Brahmin by name Soma Sarma in his previous birth and because of some irregularities while performing yagna he was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshas and now he had been redeemed by Nampaduvan.
This episode is being enacted in the Temple premises every year on the Ekadasi day of Sukla paksha Karthigai by the traditional performers who observe vratha for ten days. On the next day in the early morning of Dwadasi Kaisika Puranam is read out in front of Lord Nambi.
MAHENDRAGIRI MOUNTAIN
Mahendragiri mountain near Tirukurungudi has abundant medicinal herbals. This mountain is mentioned in the First Chapter of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam Sundara Kandam. Hanuman while going to Sri Lanka in search of Seetha set his feet here and then travelled by sky route. There are many Siddha Purushas living in this mountain observing penance.
