Thanjavur is synonymous with the 1000yr old Brihadeeswara Temple,fondly referred to as the Periya Koil or Big Temple
However, when you enter Thanjavur via Ariyalur, you are welcomed by a Divya Desam* comprising 3Temples, situated on the banks of River Vennaru
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Sri Thanjai Manikundra Perumal Temple
Sri Narasimha Perumal Temple Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple
This is the third of the108Divya Desams
*Divya Desams:These are the 108 Vaishnavite temples,the 12Alwars-Vaishnavite saints who lived ca 5th-10th CE have composed hymns on
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ManikundraPerumal Temple
Built on a small hill(kundru), before 7CE
Perumal is in sitting posture, flanked by SriDevi n BhuDevi
The deity is around 6ft
As per legend,sage Parasara lived here
3demons,Thandaka,Thanjaka n Tarakasura made impediments in the yagnya he was doing4/n

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The sage requested Lord Shiva to protect him
Lord Shiva sent Kali
She killed Tarakasura but could not kill d other 2
Then d Sage approached Vishnu
He took the form of Narasimha and killed Thanjaka
On seeing this,Thandaka hid in Patal loka
Vishnu then took d form of Varaha5/n

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and killed Thandaka
After killing the demons,the Lord gave Darshan in the form of Neelamega Perumal to Sage Parasara
Lord Vishnu blesses us in3 different names in3temples close to each other
The3 temples together are known as Thanjai Maamani Koil
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