Sixteen kilometers south of Mannargudi is the tiny hamlet of Thirumakkottai. Few know that this tiny hamlet is home to one of the oldest shrines to Lord Narayana in this place - Sri Ranganayagi Sametha Sri Ranganatha Perumal Thirukovil. The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old.

The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama and presents Lord Ranganatha in a majestic standing posture with His Divine Consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi by His sides (Nindrirunda Thirukkolam). There is a separate sanctum for Sri Ranganayagi Thayar (Thani Kovil Nachchiyar). She is called Ranganayagi in Her Utsavar form.

Along with the sanctums of Sri Ranganatha Perumal and Sri Ranganayagi Thayar, there is a Mahamantapam housing Nammalwar, Thirumangai Alwar, Thrikkatchi Nambi, Periyalwar, Viswakshenar and Vibhishana Alwar. In addition, there is a small shrine dedicated to Sri Siriya Thiruvadi (Anjaneyar) on the North eastern side of the temple. The mandatory cubicle for Sri Periya Thiruvadi is situated right across Sri Ranganathar's sanctum and in front of the Sri Dhwaja platform. Inside the sanctum of Sri Ranganatha Perumal is a small space dedicated to Navaneetha Krishnan and Selvar.

Srimad Thenbirai Aandavan Sri Ranganatha Mahadesikan & Srimad Thirukudanthai Aandavan Srimad Vedantha Ramanuja Mahadesikan have done Mangalasasanam in this temple.

Being Sukkiran Sthala, Eligible girls who do not easily come by grooms are known to have had their marriages solemnized in a few short days after their visit to this temple. The belief is that, bachelors and spinsters would be blessed with the holy state of matrimony after a darshan of the Divya Dhampathis here.

Sri Ranganatha Perumal bestows on His devotees victory in all their undertakings. He ensures that His devotees achieve and maintain excellent physical health. The hastamudra of the Lord beckons warmly to devotees to come and get His blessings.

Despite all these unique characteristics, the temple is in a decrepit condition. Ravages of time and weather has affected most part of Sri Ranganayagi Thayar's temple. The Hanuman Sannadhi too is in a bad shape. Thanks to the efforts of the local residents and those away and abroad for whom the deity is kula deivam, kumbhabhishekam was held 39 years earlier in December 1969,. .

The Renovation of the Temple is estimated to cost Rs.60 lakhs (approx.). By the divine grace of the DivyaDhampathi, the Bhoomi puja was held on 24th November 2007. The Samprokshanam is planned to be held some time in January 2009.

The Sri Ranganayagi Sametha Sri Ranganatha Perumal Trust (Regd) has taken it upon itself the task of renovating and developing the temple complex. Asthikas who desire to get the blessings of the Thirumakkotai Divya Dampathigal and want to participate in the renovation and development of the temple complex may contact

T.P.Sridharan,
Founder and Executive Trustee,
Sri Ranganayagi Sametha Sri Ranganatha Perumal Trust (Regd)

‘Vasudev Apartments’,

Flat No.12, II Floor No.23, Sout Mada Street,

Triplicane, Chennai – 600 005,

Tamil Nadu, India.

Ph -: 044 – 2844 1959 Mobile : 94443 89306

Email: rnrnptrust@yahoo.co.in

All remittances may be made by cheques/demand draft to "RNRNP Trust", payable at Chennai.

Om Namo Narayanaya

Sri Renganathar Perumal Temple renovation work in tamil