Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi Perumal Temple , Thirunarayoor (Nachiyar Koil)
✓
📍 Thirunarayoor (Naachchiyaar koil), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
National SignificanceThe 15th Divya Desam at Nachiyar Koil is world-renowned for the miracle of the Stone Garuda (Kal Garuda), whose weight multiplies exponentially during processions, and where Goddess Nachiyar holds supreme protocol.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi / Srinivasa Perumal (Nindra Kolam)
Moolavar: Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi / Srinivasan (Nindra Kolam / Standing facing East in Kalyana Kolam with Vanjula Valli Nachiyar); Utsavar: Srinivasa Perumal; Thayar: Vanjula Valli (Nambikkai Nachiyar) Thayar; Vimanam: Srinivasa Vimanam; Theertham: Mani Muktha Pushkarini, Aniruddha Theertham; Pratyaksham: Sage Medhavi, Brahma, Thirumangai Alvar.
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi / Srinivasa Perumal (Nindra Kolam)
Sannathi Street, Nachiyar Koil Village, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 612602, India
Spiritual Highlights
UNVERIFIED
The stone idol of Garuda increases in weight as it is carried outward from the sanctum, requiring doubling bearer teams, and decreases on return.
Offering modakams to Kal Garuda and praying to Vanjula Valli Thayar, who receives the primary prasadam and honours.
UNVERIFIED
About Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi Perumal Temple , Thirunarayoor (Nachiyar Koil)
Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi Perumal Temple, popularly known as Nachiyar Koil, located 10 km south of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, is the 15th Divya Desam. It occupies a monumental place in Sri Vaishnavism: it was sung in an astonishing 110 pasurams by Thirumangai Alvar, who received the sacred fivefold Vaishnava initiation (Pancha Samskara) directly from Lord Thirunarayoor Nambi here.
In this kshetram, Goddess Vanjula Valli (Nambikkai Nachiyar) was discovered under a Vanjula tree by Sage Medhavi. When the Lord married Her, She stipulated two boons: She must always have precedence in all temple honors, and Her name must be invoked first. Accordingly, the town is known as Nachiyar Koil, and during all utsavams Her palanquin proceeds ahead of the Lord.
The temple is celebrated worldwide for the Kal Garuda Seva (Stone Garuda) festival in Margazhi and Panguni. As the massive stone sculpture of Garuda carrying the Lord is borne out of the sanctum, it requires only 4 people; as it enters outer praharams, the weight multiplies miraculously requiring 8, 16, 32, 64, and finally 128 bearers outside the temple gopuram, accompanied by visible droplets of perspiration appearing on the stone! On the return journey into the sanctum, the weight diminishes in exact reverse sequence.
Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian Architecture (Early Chola construction built by King Kochengannan (6th–8th century CE) as recorded by Thirumangai )
Five-tier Rajagopuram, 100-pillar mandapam, Hemavimanam, and the dedicated shrine of Kal Garuda.
Monolithic stone carving of Kal Garuda ornamented with serpent embellishments.
Rituals & Traditions
Six daily kalas; in every ritual, honours and naivedyam are served first to Vanjula Valli Thayar before the Lord.
Kal Garuda Sevai conducted twice a year in the Tamil months of Margazhi and Panguni.
Puliyodarai, Vadai, Chakkarai Pongal.
Visitor Guidelines
Traditional temple attire: Dhoti/Kurta for men; Saree/Churidhar with Dupatta for women.
Wide flat stone prakarams; easily navigable for elderly visitors and wheelchairs up to the maha mandapam.
Tour Packages in Kumbakonam
Explore popular pilgrimage & tour packages starting from Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam One Day Navagraha Temple Tour Package
2 Days 1 Night Navagraha Temple Tour – Kumbakonam
1 Day Navagraha Temple Tour – Kumbakonam
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Thirunarayoor Nambi / Srinivasa Perumal (Nindra Kolam)
Kal Garuda Sannidhi (Miraculous Stone Garuda shrine), Vanjula Valli (Nambikkai Nachiyar) Thayar Sannidhi, Thirumangai Alvar Initiation Sannidhi, Yoga Narasimha Sannidhi, Chakrathazhwar Sannidhi, Sri Ramanuja Sannidhi, Alvars Sannidhi
Sannathi Street, Nachiyar Koil Village, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 612602, India
How to Reach
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) (approx 100 km)
Kumbakonam Railway Station (KMU) (approx 10 km)
Nachiyar Koil Bus Stop (approx 0.2 km)
