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Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple

The Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple, also known as Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram, is the 21st Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams and the 16th Divya Desam in the Chozha Nadu region. This sacred place is also referred to as Dakshina Jagannatham.

Timings

The temple is open from 6.30 am to 12 noon in the mornings and from 4 pm to 8 pm in the evenings.

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin/History :-


The Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple, also known as Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram, is believed to have been established during the Medieval Chola period, alongside many other temples dedicated to Lord Rama. The Chola king Parantaka I, who named himself "Sangrama Raghava" after his conquest of Sri Lanka, and his son Aditya I, known as Kothandaraman, were key figures in its history. Later Pandya kings also contributed to the temple's development.

A partially preserved inscription from 1305, made during the 37th year of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan's reign, records an order by a minister named Arya Chakravarthi. Historians believe that portions of the temple tower might have been constructed by the Jaffna kings, who were allies of the Pandya Empire and rulers of Rameswaram. Additional inscriptions from 1518 and 1528, during the reigns of Mahabali Vanadaraya Naykkar and Sundarattoludaiyar Mahabali Vanadarayar respectively, provide further historical context.

The temple also has inscriptions indicating visits by Arab traders to the Pandyan Empire. These traders, who were involved in pearl and pepper trade, were allowed to build mosques in the region. These mosques, known as Kallupalli, were constructed in Indian architectural style with stone pillars.

The temple received significant contributions during the Vijayanagara period, along with other Vishnu temples in the region. The Madhwa sampradaya saint, Shree Vadiraja Tirtha, also mentioned the temple in his work "Tirtha Prabandha," referring to it as the Darbashayana Temple.


Puranic Significance :-


  1.  Sthalapuranam 1 :


 According to Hindu legend, Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, once failed to show proper respect to the Dwarapalakas, the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu. In response, they cursed Nandi, causing his body to suffer from unbearable heat. Distressed, Nandi sought the advice of Lord Shiva, who instructed him to perform penance in Shenbaranyam, a place where Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, was also engaged in penance to be accepted into Vishnu's chest.

Moved by Nandi's devotion, Vishnu relieved him of the curse and, in the same moment, took Lakshmi into his chest. Because Nandi performed his penance here, the place became known as "Nandipura Vinnagaram," and Lord Narayana is revered as "Nathanatha."


  1.  Sthalapuranam 2 :


 Another legend tells of Emperor Sibi, a righteous and compassionate ruler renowned for his generosity. To test his benevolence, Lord Yama and Lord Indra devised a challenge. A pigeon, being chased by a hungry eagle, sought refuge with Emperor Sibi, pleading for its life. Moved by the pigeon's plight, the Emperor vowed to protect it.

 However, the eagle soon arrived, demanding its prey, leaving the Emperor in a moral dilemma. He wanted to save the pigeon but did not wish for the eagle to starve. In a selfless act, Emperor Sibi agreed to offer a portion of his own flesh to the eagle in exchange for the pigeon's safety. He placed himself on one side of a balance scale and the pigeon on the other, attempting to offer flesh equal to the bird's weight. Yet, no amount of flesh matched the pigeon's weight, compelling the Emperor to offer his entire body.

 Impressed by Emperor Sibi's unwavering dedication and self-sacrifice, Lord Indra and Lord Yama revealed their true identities. Pleased by the Emperor's noble deed, Lord Sriman Narayana, who had witnessed the event, blessed Sibi with immortality.



Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata before embarking on your pilgrimage to the temple.
  2. Contact the Temple Devasthanam Information Centre for inquiries, temple details, and information on pooja services.
  3. Reserve Your Travel and Accommodation at the temple well in advance to ensure a smooth visit.
  4. Bat and wear clean clothes before entering the temple to maintain purity.
  5. Focus on the Deity and concentrate on the divine presence inside the temple.
  6. Maintain Silence and recite your Ishta Mantra quietly while inside the temple.
  7. Observe Ancient Customs and Traditions during your visit to honour the temple’s practices.
  8. Respect Religious Sentiments and the sanctity of the temple.
  9. Deposit Your Offerings in the designated hundi only.


  1. Do Not Visit the Temple for purposes other than worshipping the deity.
  2. Do Not Smoke anywhere within the temple premises.
  3. Do Not Consume Alcoholic Drinks on the temple grounds.
  4. Do Not Eat Non-Vegetarian Food in the temple’s vicinity.
  5. Do Not Approach Mediators for quick Darshan, as it may inconvenience others.
  6. Do Not Carry Weapons into the temple.
  7. Do Not Wear Head Guards such as helmets, caps, turbans, or hats inside the temple.
  8. Do Not Perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha).
  9. Do Not Take Excessive Time while performing Sparsa Darshanam (touching the deity) in the Garbhagriha.
  10. Do Not Purchase Spurious Prasadams from street vendors.
  11. Do Not Encourage Beggars within the temple premises.
  12. Do Not Spit or Create Nuisance in the temple area.


Dress Code

Men:

  1. Wear traditional attire (dhoti with a shirt or kurta).
  2. Avoid shorts, sleeveless shirts, and jeans.
  3. Remove headwear (caps, hats) before entry.

Women:

  1. Wear traditional attire (saree, salwar kameez, or long skirt with blouse).
  2. Avoid short skirts, dresses, and sleeveless tops.
  3. Remove hats and cover shoulders if needed.

How to reach

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  1. By Air: Trichy International Airport. From the airport, hire a taxi or use local transportation to travel to Nandipura Vinnagaram. 
  2. By Train: Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) Railway Station. From Trichy Railway Station, hire a taxi or use local transportation to reach Nandipura Vinnagaram.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

The Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple is located in the town of Nandipura Vinnagaram. Here are some nearby rivers and cities:


Rivers:

  1. Kaveri River: The Kaveri River, also known as Cauvery, is one of the major rivers in Tamil Nadu. It flows to the southeast and is relatively close to the temple area.
  2. Vellar River: The Vellar River is another significant river in Tamil Nadu, flowing through the region and contributing to local irrigation and agriculture.


Cities:

  1. Chennai: The capital city of Tamil Nadu, located approximately 180 kilometres southwest of the temple. It is a major metropolitan area and serves as a key cultural and economic hub in the region.
  2. Trichy (Tiruchirappalli): Located about 130 kilometres southwest of the temple, Trichy is a significant city known for its historical temples and educational institutions.
  3. Thanjavur: Situated around 90 kilometres south of Nandipura Vinnagaram, Thanjavur is renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, including the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.