Thirukkurungudi

Thirukkurungudi Temple
Thirukkurungudi Temple Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Other names	Vamana Shetram, Dakshina Bhadri
Geography
Coordinates	8°27′N 77°34′E / 8.450°N 77.567°E / 8.450; 77.567Coordinates: 8°27′N 77°34′E / 8.450°N 77.567°E / 8.450; 77.567
Country	India
State/province	Tamil Nadu
District	Tirunelveli
Locale	Thirukurungudi
Culture
Primary deity	Sri Sundara Paripooranan, Sri Kurungudi Valli Thaayaar
Important festivals	Kaisika Puranam, Panguni Brahmotsavam
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture
History and governance
Website	http://www.srivaishnavanambi.org

Thirukurungudi [Tamil: திருக்குறுங்குடி] is a town which is located in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, South India. The taluk of Thirukurungudi is Nanguneri and it belongs to Nanguneri Assembly. At the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of kanyakumari and about 120 km from Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala, Thirukurungudi is a village with history dating back more than 1500 years. Village life revolves around agriculture and the Nambi Rayar temple. It is one of the 108 Divya desam, Hindu temples that are sacred for the Vaishnavites.

This is the home town of the founder, T. V. Sundaram Iyengar of TVS Group.

Rice was the major crop until 15 years ago as there was plenty of rainfall and the River Nambi fed the irrigation channels for almost 9 months a year. With advancement in technology to tap ground water and rain becoming scarce, plantains have become a major crop. Almost every household has something related to agriculture, either directly or through the Nambi Rayar temple.

The tank in Thirukurungudi is the first place where pristine water from Western Ghats is stored and fed for agriculture through five canals. The pond is a biodiversity hotspot supporting various forms of life from fish, birds, insects, plants, toads and an occasional python.

Thirukurungudi is approachable by road. Distance is 45 km from Tirunelveli, 15 km from Nanguneri (Vanamamalai) and 10 km from Valliyoor.

Nambi Rayar temple is one of the "108 Divyadesams" according to the Vaishnava mythology. The temple is 1300 years old. The temple is located in the centre of the town flanked by four big Mada Veethis (Agraharams) and at the outer square by four broad and lengthy Ratha Veethis (Car Streets). The presiding deity of this Divya Desam was sung (Mangalasasanam) by four Azhwars, namely Thirumazhisai Piran, Nammalvar, Periazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple has several unique sculptures. A Horse and an elephant sculpture are composed of ladies in a single granite stone.

The walls of the temple resemble a big fort and the village has been formed around these walls in a very organized manner.The interiors of the main temple tower is covered with wood sculptures of teak depicting most of the deities as well as other secular scenes.