Tirunaraiyur Temple is located at Nachiar Kovil near Kumbhakonam and the deity worshipped here is Vishnu. It is believed that that the Chola King Ko Chenkannan who built 70 madakkoyils (temples at an elevation) to Shiva, worshipped Vishnu here before he started off on battles with the Cheras and the Pandyas. Naachiyaar or Taayaar gets primary importance as implied by the name Naachiyaar Koyil.
Legend: Lakshmi was born as Vanchulavalli, to Madhava munivar. Vishnu came down to the earth and married her here. Bhrama worshipped Vishnu here. Vishnu 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.
Temple: The temple has five prakarams with mandapams with artistically carved pillars. The garbagriha is known as the Sreenivasa Vimanam. There is a shrine to Bhuvarahaperumaal, Kal Garudan, Yoga Narasimhar, Veera Hanuman, Ramar and Chkrapani. The earliest inscription found here is that of the 13th century.
Festivals: The Margazhi Bhrammotsavam (Mukkoti Utsavam) is of great significance here. The Tirukkalyanam is celebrated in the month of Aavani. The Pankuni Bhramotsavam, Vasantotsavam and Krishna Jayanthi are other festivals celebrated here.
