Thiruthetriyambalam Temple Story – The Sacred Ground Where Sri Ranganathar Rests After Varaha Avatharam
Dedicated to the Hindu god Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu, the Thiruthetriyambalam (or Palli Konda Perumal Temple) is located in Thirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Sirkaḻi in Tamil Nadu, India.
Thiruthetriyambalam Temple Story
As per Hindu Puranas, long ago, an asura named Hiranyaksha took hold of Bhudevi,
the earth goddess, and hid her deep in pathala, the netherworld. The devas and
great rishis, unable to bear this, went to Sriman Narayana and prayed for help.
Hearing their prayers, Bhagavan took the form of Varaha, the great boar, and
went down to pathala to fight Hiranyaksha.
Before going for this battle, Bhagavan came to this place
with Mahalakshmi and Adisesha. Mahalakshmi was worried, because she always
wants to stay on the chest of Bhagavan, and if He goes as Varaha, she feared
she may not get that place near Him. Adisesha also was confused about what will
happen to him during this time. So Bhagavan told them both to wait here at this
sacred spot, and gave assurance that He will come back after finishing the
work. It is also said that Shiva joined them in this waiting period.
After killing Hiranyaksha and bringing Bhudevi back safely
to her rightful place, Bhagavan returned to this very ground. He gave darshan
to all, and reposed here in a peaceful resting mood after the fierce battle,
with eyes slightly red and half closed, showing tiredness after the great
fight. Because of this form, He got the name Senganmal Ranganathar – the one
with reddish eyes, in the pose of Ranganathar.
Importance and Symbolism
This episode shows how Bhagavan gives assurance to His
devotees before going for any difficult task, and how He always comes back to
those who wait for Him with faith. The reclining form here is not a form of
sleep in a casual way, but a form of rest that comes after completing a great
dharmic duty, protecting the earth and restoring balance. This teaches devotees
that true rest comes only after doing one's karma properly.
This kshetra is counted among the eleven Thirunangur Divya
Desams, a group of temples closely connected with Thirumangai Azhwar, one of
the twelve Azhwar saints who sang in praise of Vishnu.
About the Temple
The name "Tetri" means a raised place, and since
this temple stands on a slightly elevated ground, it is called
Thiruthetriyambalam. Locally it is known as Palli Konda Perumal Temple. One
special point here is that this is the only temple among the eleven Nangur
Divya Desams where Perumal is seen in sayana kolam, the reclining pose. Also,
unlike the usual two armed reclining forms seen elsewhere, here Perumal is
worshipped with four arms, which is a rare and unique feature. The Thayar of
this temple is called Sengamalavalli.
The temple is built in Dravidian style architecture and is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, sung by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. It stands as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu across India.