Neervanna Perumal Temple

Getting there

• By road

  The hill shrine at Thiruneermalai lies off the Chennai Bypass. The foothill temple is in the same town.

Why devotees come here

Neervanna Perumal Temple stands in Thiruneermalai, within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It is one of the eight sacred Vishnu temples called Ashta Svayam Vyaktha Kshetram, where Vishnu is said to have manifested himself.

The temple is one of eight sacred Vishnu temples known as the Ashta Svayam Vyaktha Kshetram. The Neervana Perumal temple is in the foothills, and its presiding deity is shown in standing posture. Regional legend calls the site Toyatri, a mountain surrounded by water. Sage Valmiki is said to have worshipped Ranganatha at the top of the hill after composing the Ramayana. Poet-saint Thirumangai Alvar is said to have been held up on the hilltop for six months while the place was surrounded by water.

The temple occupies 15 acres, and its lower shrine covers 3 acres. It is a double prakaram temple, with an outer courtyard. The temple tank, the Kshira Pushkarini, is believed to feed the waters of Vaikuntha and the Ocean of Milk. Inscriptions from the Chola and later Pandya periods point to generous contributions to the temple. Its rituals follow the Vaikhanasa tradition. Two Brahmotsavams are celebrated each year, and Uttiram is also observed here.

Festivals

• Panguni month, mid March to mid AprilBrahmotsavam of Neervanan

  One of the two Brahmotsavams the temple celebrates each year.

• Chittirai month, mid April to mid MayBrahmotsavam of Ranganatha Perumal

  The second Brahmotsavam, held for Ranganatha Perumal.

Tips for your visit

• The Thiruneermalai complex has two temples, the Neervanna Perumal temple and the Ranganatha temple.
• Thiruneermalai is now part of Pammal Zone under Tambaram Municipal Corporation, after being a town panchayat in Chengalpattu district.

Questions people ask