ranganathar temple,Thiruneermalai pic 1--5

Thiruneermalai Vishnu Temple is one among the 108 places considered sacred by Vaishnatives. It is one of the famous ancient temples near Chennai dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is hardly 8 Kilometers from Chennai Airport. The base temple is dedicated to Lord Rama also known as Neervanan. The temple up the hill has four shrines dedicated for Lord Ranganatha (in reclining posture), Animamalarmangai Thayaar, Trivikrama and Lord Narashimha. Legend says that, sage Valmiki prayed to Lord Ranganatha and Goodness Ranganayaki in the base temple.

At the top of the hill, Sage had a divine darshan of Lord Vishnu in three forms, Ranganatha in the reclining posture, Narasimha in sitting position and Thiruvikrama in walking style. Back at the foot hill,he had a darshan of "Kalyana Rama". Later,when Thirumangaialwar wanted to worship the Lord at the temple, the place was surrounded by water. Since,then the place came to be called as `Thiruneermalai'. People need to climb 200-300 steps to reach the temple. This Vishnu temple in chennai is famous for conducting marriages