The
Vishnu temples at Nangur are a group of 11 temples near Nangur in
Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The eleven temples are part of the 108
Divya Desams of the Hindu god Vishnu.
The
temples at Nangur are believed to have been sanctified by Tirumangai Alvar, one
of the 12 Alvars. The oldest of them have been dated to the reign of the
Medieval Chola king Parantaka I.
The
Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana utsav in the month of Thi (Jan-Feb) on the New
Moon day (Amavasya) witnesses 11 Garuda sevai a spectacular event in which
festival images idols from the 11 Thirunaangur Divyadesam shrines in the area
are brought on Garuda mounts to Thirunangur.
An
idol of Thirumangai Alvar is also brought here on a Hamsa Vahanam (palanquin)
and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these 11 temples are recited.
The Utsavar (festival deity) of Thirumangai Alvar and his consort Sri
Kumudavalli Naachiyar are taken in a palanquin to each of the 11 temples,
through the paddy fields in the area.
The
paasurams (poems) dedicated to each of the 11 Divyadesams are chanted in the
respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area,
and it draws thousands of visitors.