Parimala Ranganathar temple, Indalur, Mayiladuthurai

Parimala Renganathar Temple

The Thiru Parimala Renganathar temple at Thiruindaloor, Mayiladuthurai is one of the five rangams on the banks of Cauvery.   The other rangams are Srirengapatna in Karnataka, Srirangam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbakonam.   The temple is one of the 108 Divya desams. The Moolavar is also called by the other names of Maruviniya Maindan and Suganthavananathan and is in sayanam facing east.     The lord has 4 hands.  (4 hands in sayanam posture is rare).  The vigraha is 12 ft long and made of green stone.   Ganga and Cauvery are seated at the head and foot of the lord, in the sanctum as is an image of Santhanagopalakrishnan.   Brahma  is depicted on the wall.  When Vishnu restored the vedas from the sea in mathsya avatharam, he restored the fragrance too and hence the name for the lord.     Legend has it that the deomons Madhu and Kaitabala stole the Vedas disappeared into the sea, the lord restored them back and also restored their fragrance.  The Thayar is Parimala Renganayaki and also known by the other names of Chandrashapa-vimochanavalli and Pundarikavalli.   Chandran got his curses absolved by taking a bath in the cauvery and praying to thayar here.   There are also shrines to Yoga Narasimhar , Rama, Anjaneya, Suryan and  Chandra.         This temple with three prakarams has a 5 tiered rajagopuram and it faces east. The Dwajastampa mandapam and the Garuda Mandapam have beautifully sculptured pillars. The Garuda mandapam bears images of the 10 avatarams. It is believed that the offering worship to Santana Gopalan in the sanctum, would aid barren couples in begetting progeny.

Carnatic Music Composer Muthuswamy Deekshitar's tribute to this shrine.

Parimala Ranganatham bhajhe ham vIranutam paripaalita bhaktam pundareekavallinatham (I salute Parimala Ranganathan -- who is the protector of his devotees, the consort of Pundareekavalli and one who is adored by the brave)

Harim apraakritaakritim matsyaadi dasaakritim (who is Hari Vishnu who assumed the ten avatarams commencing with the matsya avataram)

Antaranga Sayanamabja nayanam Narayanam (who is the lotus eyed Narayana and is portrayed in a reclining form)

Guruguha viditam satatam Gunijanamuditam satatam (who is perceived by Guruguha and is worshipped by the good folks)

Parameswaram Rameswaram Meswaram Eswaram (who is the Lord of the Universe, the Lord of Rama, my Lord and the Lord)

The temple is in Mayiladuthurai town itself and being a panchranga keshtra on banks of Cauvery river is a must for anyone planning to have darshan at Mayiladuthurai temples.