Thiruninravur | The Holy Place Where She Stands

It is said that once Mother Mahalakshmi (Tiru), for reasons divine, left Perumal and arrived at this sacred spot. She stood here in steadfast resolve — hence the name “Tiru Nindra Oor” (the holy place where She stood).

Born from the Milky Ocean, Mahalakshmi’s divine father, Samudra Rajan, sought to pacify his daughter. With humility and love, he requested Her to return to Her divine consort. But Mahalakshmi refused. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Samudra Rajan approached Lord Perumal, beseeching Him to come in person and take Her back.

The compassionate Lord agreed, asking the ocean king to go ahead of Him, assuring he would follow. Upon returning, Samudra Rajan, in a remarkable expression of reverence, told Mahalakshmi: “You are not my daughter — you are the Mother who gave birth to me –  Ennai Petra Thayar.” This phrase, charged with devotion and surrender, gave Her the enduring name in this temple: “Ennai Petra Thayar”.

Moved by such bhakti, and joined by the Lord Himself, a divine reconciliation took place. As requested by the ocean king, Perumal and Mahalakshmi appeared in their Kalyana Thirukolam (Wedding Form), gracing devotees together. Because the Lord responded to the sincere prayer of His devotee, He came to be known here as “Bhaktavatsala Perumal” — the Lord who is loving and affectionate to His devotees.

The main gopuram, a majestic structure from the Vijayanagara era, marks the grandeur of this holy kṣetra. Upon entering, one crosses the Bali Peeta, Dwajasthambam, Garuda Shrine, Mahā Mandapam, and Inner Mandapam, finally arriving at the sanctum where the 11-foot tall Perumal, flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi, blesses the devotees, bearing His five powerful weapons. The shrine of Thayar (Ennai Petra Thayar) is located to the right of the Lord.

Also enshrined here are Andal, the Azhwars, Sri Hanuman, Eri Katha Ramar, and Adhi Sesha.

Tirumangai Azhwar’s Divine Hymn: A Mother’s Request

The story continues with Tirumangai Azhwar, who, while visiting many sacred Divya Desams, passed by Tirunindravur without singing a hymn here. Observing this, Mother Mahalakshmi lovingly urged the Lord to obtain a song in Her honour.

Obeying Her wish, Perumal appeared before Tirumangai Azhwar, who by then had reached Mamallapuram. The Lord requested — or rather, demanded — a verse from the Azhwar, who was touched by such divine humility. The Azhwar composed a verse expressing wonder: “My Lord, protector of all the worlds, came all the way to Mamallapuram to express His love for devotees like me and took a song from me!” However, Mahalakshmi was not content with just one verse. She desired a full Pathigam (10 verses), like those Azhwar sang at other temples. When the Lord once again approached the Azhwar, he had moved on to Tirukkannamangai. There, seeing the Lord casting a glance toward Tirunindravur, the Azhwar included Tirunindravur Perumal in his 10-verse hymn on Tirukkannamangai, fulfilling the divine wish.

Tirunindravur stands as a testimony to the boundless grace of Bhaktavatsala Perumal, the compassion of Ennai Petra Thayar, and the intimate relationship between the Lord and His devotees — where divine pride, humility, longing, and love all unfold as lila for the upliftment of the bhakta.

 

To listen to the song:
https://youtu.be/bK-gs_Dj01Y?si=_TBnjQiKAa8ne4_y

rAgam: panthuvarALi thALam: Adi

pallavi

bhaktha vatsala parama dayALa
Bhaktavastala! The most compassionate one!

pIthAmbaradhara bhavya guNAlaya
The one adorning a yellow garment; The One with splendid virtues

anupallavi

shankha chakra gadA dhara
The One holding a conch, disc and mace

AjAnubAhO! acyutha sharaNam
One with long limbs upto the knees! One who does not abandon his devotees! I surrender to you!

charaNam

Adi puruSha anantha kalyANa guNasAgara
The foremost among men! The ocean of auspicious virtues

adbhutha rUpa mama chitthAkarShaka
The one with a wonderful form; The one who captures my mind

thava nAma smaraNEna thava vAtsalyam
muraLIdharasya mama svAnubhavam
The motherly love you shower while one remembers your name is a personal experience for Muralidhara