Thirukozhi Divyadesam familiarly worshipped as Uraiyur Nachiyarkoil - Once upon a time a number of Rishis were discussing as to who among the trinity is the greatest?. Lord Bramma Devar or Lord Siva or Lord Maha Vishnu?. There were no conclusions among them and so they were much more confused. At that time Sage Birugu happened to be there and the rishis decided to entrust the issue to him to get a solution for their debate. Brighu Mahirishi accepted and assred them that he will find out the fact. He went to Mount Kailash. There Dwara Palakas refused an entry to Birugu as Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati were alone and not to be disturbed. Uraiyur is also the birth place of Thiruppan Azhwar, one of the Twelve Alwars

Birugu Muni Cursed Goddess Mahalakshmi

This upset Birguu, who then decided that since Lord Siva was not approachable at any time, HE cannot be the greatest. Birugu then left to Sathya Logha to worship Lord Brahma Devar , who was busy that time in HIS creation and not even noticed sage's arrival. So Birugu muni got annoyed and proceeded to see Lord Maha Vishnu. Sage Birugu's Curse to Paranthaman - When he reached Vaikundham, Lord Vishnu received him will great respect and made kind enquiries. At this time Brighu desired a separate audience with only the Perumal being present.

All present left except Sri Lakshmi, who has her place permanently on Lord's chest. She, however requested the rishi to leave as the other members of waiting. This angered Brighu and he cursed her that Lakshmi would be born in the material world as a human being. However, Brighu came to the conclusion that only Lord Vishnu among the trinity is Supreme as He showed abosolute kindness and concern to the rishi when he went there. Lakshmi Devi felt very sad about the curse she got from Brigu Muni. Lord Vishnu pacified and asked her to born as a Daughter of the Chola King Nandhan and also promised that he would follow and marry her in an auspicious place very shortly.

Birth of Goddess lakshmi as Kamalavalli Nachiyar

Once a Chozha King Nanda Chozhan had been childless. Pleased with his dedicated prayers, Lord Ranganathar asked Goddess Lakshmi Devi to born as the King’s daughter in Uraiyur. Being born out of the Lotus, Goddess here is called as "Kamalavalli Nachiyar". Kamalam means Lotus. As years went by, Kamalavalli grew into a beautiful young girl. One day while she was out with her friends, her eyes fell on a handsome young man and instantly she fell in love with him.

The man was none other than Lord Ranganathar. King Nanda Chozhan was in a fix as his daughter had fallen in love with that man, who had blessed the king with the child. Once again, the Lord acknowleged King’s prayers and accepted her as HIS bride. Delighted at this, Nanda Chozhan built a temple at Uraiyur to celebrate the arrival of Lord Ranganathar to Uraiyur to catch hands of his daughter. Every Year in the Month of Panguni, a significant event takes place here in Nachiyarkoil.

Azhahiya Manavazhan Kalyana Utsavam and Kamalavalli Nachiyar in Her Wedding Attire

Every year, during the Tamil Month Panguni, Lord Ranganatha, in all His splendour, leaves the Srirangam Temple at 04:00 A.M. to take the 6 km journey across River Cauvery in a Golden Palanquin to meet His beloved Kamalavalli Naachiyar for their Kalyana Utsavam. On this auspicious day in the month of Panguni, entire marriage formalities between Lord Ranganathar and Kamalavalli Nachiyar is enacted in Thirukozhi Divyadesam - Urayur Nachiyarkoil. Lord Ranganatha then takes the trip back to Srirangam Temple across River Cauvery on the same night. In Uraiyur Nachiyarkoil, Devotees can see Kamalavalli Nachiyar in a Grand Sitting Posture all set to get married.

Being the handsome man in His wedding attire, Lord Ranganatha here is being worshipped Azhahiya Manavaalan. A speciality of this temple is that this is the Only Divya Desam among the 108 Divyadesams where the Goddess is facing the Northern Direction, the direction of the Lord Ranganathar of Srirangam. In centuries gone by, Devotees used to first visit Uraiyur Nachiyar Koil Thirukozhi Divya Desam, walk across the River Cauvery to worship Srirangam Ranganatha Temple and then across the Coloroon to Thirukkarambanur Divyadesam familiarly worshipped as Uthamar Koil and Tiruvellarai Divyadesam, thus covering 4 Divya Desams in one stretch.

Urayur - The Birth Place of Thiruppanalwar

Uraiyur is also the birth place of Thiruppaanazhvaar, one of the 12 Alwars, who attained his Moksham in Srirangam. There is a separate sanctum sanctorum for Tiruppaan Alwar here. A dedicated festival is being celebrated for Thiruppan Alwar in the Tamil Month of Karthigai. There’s a story that once an Elephant entered here, was beaten by a Valiant Hen and had to retreat. Hence the place is known as Thiru Kozhiyoor. In Tamil Kozhi means Hen.