Nachiyar Koil

Getting there

• By train

  Kumbakonam railway station has direct services such as the Mysore to Mayiladuthurai Express, to Mysuru and Bengaluru.

• By road

  National Highway NH-36 passes through Kumbakonam, the town on whose outskirts the temple lies.

Why devotees come here

Nachiyar Koil, also called Thirunarayur Nambi Temple, is a Vishnu shrine in the village of Natchiarkoil, on the outskirts of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. It is one of the few Divya Desams where Nachiyar has prominence over Vishnu.

Nachiyar Koil is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Here Vishnu is worshipped as Srinivasa Perumal, with his consort Lakshmi known as Nachiyar. Legend says Vishnu searched for Niladevi, also called Vanjulavalli, riding his vehicle Garuda, and found her at a sage's hermitage.

Because of Sage Medhavi's boon, Nachiyar rules over Vishnu in this temple, so Lakshmi comes first in processions.

The temple is believed to have been built by Kochengat Cholan in the late 3rd century CE, with later work by the Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagara kings. A five-tiered gateway tower, the rajagopuram on the eastern side, rises to 75 feet. The most prominent feature is Kal Garuda, a stone image of Garuda, Vishnu's mount. Six daily rituals and four yearly festivals are held at the temple. It is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Festivals

• Margazhi (December to January)Brahmotsavam

  A 10-day festival, the prime festival of the temple, held in the Tamil month of Margazhi.

• Panguni (March to April)Garuda Sevai

  The Kal Garuda images are taken around the streets.

• Vaikasi (May to June)Vasanthotsavam

  The spring festival.

• Aavani (September to October)Thirukalyana Utsavam

  The wedding festival, held in the 100-pillared hall of the temple during the Tamil month of Aavani.

Tips for your visit

• The temple stands on an elevated structure, reached by a flight of 21 steps.
• A temple tank lies right next to the temple.
• Other nearby shrines include Thenupuriswarar Temple at Patteeswaram, Oppiliappan Kovil and the Swamimalai Murugan temple.

Questions people ask