Thiruneermalai | Four Postures sung by Thirumangai Azhwar | Azhwarmalai

Swaraat / Vanamamalai Padmanabhan

Picture Courtesy : Mukundan krishnamachary

Thiruneermalai is a divya desam near Pallavaram-Chromepet. The archai Lords sung by azhwars are devoutly considered as Divya Desam.

Thiruneermalai has been sung by Sri Boothathazwar *irandam Thiruvandhadi* as *payindradhuvum anithigazhum solai anineermalai* | *பயின்றதரங்கம் திருக்கோட்டி..பயின்றதுவும் அணிதிகழும் சோலை அணி நீர்மலையே! and thirumangai azhwar as *ninran irundhan kidanthan nadanthan* | *நின்றான் இருந்தான் கிடந்தான் நடந்தான்* meaning Sri Ranganatha in lying posture, Sri Santha Narasimhar is sitting posture and Sri Ulagalanthan in walking posture (all on the hilltop) and Sri Neervannar in standing posture on the foothills.

*animamalarmangai* *அணிமாமலர்மங்கை* At the outset azhwar commenced the pasuram towards thayar animamalar mangai the Goddess bedecked in flowers. *Neervannar* Neer as understood is water and hence known as *’Thoyadhri’ Shethram*.

As per the sthala puranam when Sri Thirumangai azhwar visited to have the blessings, the whole region was surrounded with water and azhwar stayed atop a hill diametrically opposite to the thiruneermalai hill and was having darshan from that spot for about six months. He visited after the water receded and sung the hymns in all the Lords eulogising the aforementioned postures besides singing praise of Lord Sri Rama as mudi pathum arutharulum and again mentioning the water clad cloud as ‘neelamugilvannan’*Neermai*.

It is pertinent to note that this saintly spot is related to water but apart from geographical cannotation there is a deeper philosophical Srivaishnavic tenet. The water irrespective of its level always flows downward and the Lord irrespective of his devotee s level descends to their level , mixes freely and become easily accessible… This characteristic is termed as ‘ Neermai’.

Thirumamgai azhwar who was impatient to wait overnight at thiruindhalur quipped ‘vazndhe pom! Neereea! ‘Was so fascinated at this divya shethram which made him to wait for half an year and he remembered the Lord in almost in all of his decadents of Periya Thirumozhi but recalled in siriya thirumadal and periya Thirumadal.

The temple celebrates two brahmotsavams chitrai thiruvonam for Sri Ranganathar and panguni Sravanam for sri Neervannar besides other regular utsavams. No doubt azhwar expresses those who lost their composure takes refuge here’ neervannan neermalaikke povean enRu idhuvanRoa niRavazindhar nirkumare’ *நீர்வண்ணன் நீர்மலைக்கே போவேன் என்றும் இதுவன்றோ! எழிலாலி என்றார் தாமே*.

It is time for all to flock towards Thiruneermalai to cherish and relish the divine and serene atmosphere besides getting the blessings of Sri Neervannar.