Nanmadhiya Perumal Temple

The temple at Thiruthalaichanga Nanmadhiyam, in the Chola Nadu region, enshrines the Lord as Nanmadhiya Perumal, and is venerated as one of the 108 Divya Desams sacred to Sri Vaishnavas. The presiding deity (Moolavar) is worshipped here in a form whose very name evokes the moon, and the sthala derives its name from this association: Nanmadhiyam carries the sense of the good or auspicious moon. According to the sthala purana, this is the kshetra where the Moon-god (Chandra) is said to have sought refuge and worshipped Vishnu to be relieved of an affliction, and so the place came to be known by the moon. Tradition holds that the Lord here graces His devotees in the manner of a cooling, healing presence, much as the moon soothes. Among the Alwar saints, it is Thirumangai Alwar, the prince of the Tamil poet-saints, who sang the glory of this shrine in his hymns within the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the four-thousand-verse corpus of the Alwars; by his sacred Tamil verses the temple was sanctified and counted among the Divya Desams. Pilgrims journeying through the cluster of Divya Desams in the Cauvery delta of Chola Nadu hold this abode in particular reverence for its connection with Chandra and for the grace of Nanmadhiya Perumal, who is believed to bestow relief from distress and the calm radiance of divine compassion upon all who take refuge at His feet.

Festivals

As a Divya Desam of the Chola country, Thiruthalaichanga Nanmadhiyam traditionally keeps the cycle of Srivaishnava festivals centred on its annual Brahmotsavam, observed with utsava processions, sacred recitation of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham and ceremonial honours to the presiding Nanmadhiya Perumal. Vaikunta Ekadasi is marked with great devotion, the Lord granting darshan to devotees who keep the sacred fast and vigil. Pavithrotsavam, performed to purify and make whole any lapses in the year’s worship, and a Float festival (Theppotsavam) when conducted, are among the observances cherished here. Pongal, Tamil and English New Year, Sri Jayanthi and Navaratri are also kept, drawing devotees from the surrounding Nagapattinam region to share in the temple’s quiet devotional life.

Location & Access

The temple stands at Thiruthalaichanga Nanmadhiyam in the Chola Nadu region, within the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, reached most conveniently from the larger towns of the Kaveri delta. Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai serve as the nearest hubs for rail and road connections, with onward local transport to the village. Like most Vishnu temples, it generally observes morning and evening darshan hours, remaining closed for a period during midday. Verify current darshan timings and travel details with the temple or official sources before visiting.