Description: This Dhivyadesam is located in Thirunaraiyur, close to the Naraiyur Sidheeswaram Paadal petra stalam. This shrine was sung by Thirumangai Azhwar, who refers to Perumaal, Srinivasa at Naraiyur Ninra Nambi. Thirunaraiyur is also known as Sugandhavanam or Sugandhagiri or as Srinivasakshetram. Also located at Thirunaraiyur is Nandipura Vinnagaram, or Naathan Koyil. It is believed that that the Chola King Ko Chenkannan who built 70 madakkoyils (temples at an elevation) to Shiva, worshipped Perumaal here before he started off on battles with the Cheras and the Pandyas. Naachiyaar or Thaayaar gets the place of primary importance in this shrine, as implied by the name Naachiyaar Koyil.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Thirunaraiyur Nambi, also known as Sreenivasar or Vasudevar, depicted in the Kalyanakkolam with Vanchulavalli Thaayaar (Nambikkai Naachiyaar) in the sanctum.
Legend has it, that Lakshmi was born as Vanchulavalli, (at the foot of a Vanchula tree) to Madhava munivar (also known as Medhavi Munivar). Perumaal came down to the earth and married her here. Bhrama is believed to have worshipped Perumaal here. Perumaal is believed to have manifested himself in the Pancha Vyuha forms and married Vanchulavalli; Sankarshana in the east, Pradyumna in the south, Anirudha in the west, Purushottama in the north and Vasudeva in the center. The sculptures of all these deities are found in the garbagriha..
The Temple: This temple has five prakarams with mandapams with artistically carved pillars. The garbagriha here is known as the Sreenivasa Vimanam. There is no separate shrine for Vanchulavalli here. It is also believed that there was a shrine to Bhuvarahaperumaal even prior to this legend. There is a separate shrine to the Kal Garudan (see festivals). There are slso shrines to Yoga Narasimhar, Veera Hanuman, Ramar and Chkrapani. The earliest inscription found here is that of the 13th century, although this temple was in existence during the time of Thirumangai Azhwar.
Festivals: The Margazhi Bhrammotsavam (Mukkoti Utsavam) is of great significance here, especially the KalGaruda Vaahana Sevai, where the festival image of Sreenivasar is taken out on a stone Garuda mount. The mount is said to grow exponentially in weight as it is carried out of its sanctum. During this festival, Naachiyar leads the procession on a Hamsa Vaahanam. The Thirukkalyanam is celebrated in the month of Aavani. The Pankuni Bhramotsavam, Vasantotsavam and Krishna Jayanthi are other festivals celebrated here.
