तञ्जपुरी

This is actually a cluster of three temples, considered to be one Divya shetram, and are located 200 meters apart in the outskirts of Thanjavur Tirumangaiazhwar, Bhootattazhwar and Nammazhwar, have sung of this temple. Nammazhwar refers to Manikkunram, while Bhootattazhwar refers to Thanjai. Tirumangaiazhwar refers to Thanjai Maamanaikkoyil, and Manikunram.

The first of the three temples is the Maamanikkoyil. The presiding deity is Neelamegapperumaal in a sitting posture, and his consort Senkamalavalli. The Theertham is Kannikapushkarini and the Vimanam is Sowndarya Vimanam. Parasarar is said to have worshipped here. Also here are shrines to Lakshmi Narasimhar and Lakshmi Hayagrivar. There is also a beautiful image of Nartana Krishnar in this temple.

The second temple is Manikkunram. Manikkunrapperumaal is enshrined here in a seated posture. His consort is Ambujavalli. The Theertham here is Srirama Theertham and the Vimanam Manikkoota Vimanam. Markandeya is believed to have worshipped here.

The third is Thanjaiyalinagar, enshrining Narasimhar seated and the Thayar is Thanjai Nayaki. The Theertham here is Surya Pushkarini, and the Vimanam Vedasundara Vimanam. Markandeyar is believed to have worshipped here. The Utsavar in all of these temples is known as Narayanan.

Legend has it that Vishnu took the Narasimha Avataram to vanquish a demon, in the form of an elephant, called Tanjakan. Upon his request, Vishnu took abode in this stalam, which came to be known as Thanjavur.The Tanjavur palace administers these temples.