Thiruneer Malai

From Chitra Madhavan's lecture on Temples around Chennai : Thiru Neer Malai

அன்றாயர் குலக்கொடி யோடனிமா மலர் மங்கை யொடளப்பளாவி அவுணர்க் கென்றானு மிரக்க மில்லாதவனுக் குறையு மிடமாவது, இரும்பொழில் சூழ் நன்றாய புனல் நறையூர் திருவாலி குடந்தை தடந்திகழ் கோவல் நகர் நின்றானிருந்தான் கிடந்தான் நடந்தாற் கிடம் மாமலையாவது நீர்மலையே.

A glimpse of 2000 year old temple where The Lord appears in four forms - ...

1. In the foot hill as "Neer Vanna Perumal" (Rama) like Nachiyal Kovil
2. On the top of the hill as "Ranganathar, Trivikrama and Shantha Narasimhar" - Compared by Thirumangai Azhwar as - Ranganathar as in Sarngapani temple, Narasimhar as in Thiruvali Thiru Nagari (Near Sirkazhi) and Trivikrama as in Thiru Kovilur!

Interesting facts about the temple

- You can see the idol of Thirumangai Azhwar and his wife Kumudavalli
- Dwajastambam not alinged to the Sanctum
- Valmiki was blessed with Rama Darshan alongwith Seetha, Lakshmanan, Bharatha Satrugunan
- Ranganthar is four- armed (unlike Srirangam where he has 2 hands)

What you should not miss in this temple

- The Vijayanagar architecture outside and Chola architecutre inside
- The fluted pillar and the amazing Vijayanagar Mandapam on the top of the hill