Azhagiya Nambi Temple, also known as Tirukkurungudi Temple or Vamana Kshetram, is located at Tirukkurungudi near
Nanguneri in
Tirunelveli District,
Tamil Nadu. It is one of the
108 Divya Desams of
Lord Vishnu, revered by the Tamil hymns of
Alwars. The temple enshrines Azhagiya Nambi as the presiding deity along with his consort Kurunkudivalli Naachiyaar. The deity is installed in a standing posture facing east.
Tirukkurungudi Temple has separate shrines dedicated to Ninra Nambi, Kidanda Nambi, Lord Shiva, Irunda Nambi (Vaikuntha Nathan) and Bhairav. There is also a small shrine dedicated to Tirupparkadal Nambi on the banks of a creek by name Tirupparkadal. It is believed to be the shrine where Shri Thirumangai Alwar attained salvation.
This huge temple has five prakarams and is surrounded by a massive wall, crowned with a five tiered raja gopuram. The temple boasts several exquisite sculptures. The Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayaks of Madurai have made several endowments to this temple.
Azhagiya Nambi Temple has been found mention in several ancient scriptures such as Gajendramoksham, Gopi Vastrapaharanam and Trivikrama Avataram.
The annual festival, celebrated in the month of Panguni, attracts thousands of devotees from far and near.
