Thoothukudi District Temples

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Alwarthirunagari	Adinatha Perumal temple, Thirukurukur
Arumugamangalam	Ayirathu Enn Vinayagar Temple
Athoor	Sri Somanathar Temple
Eral	Sri Chairman Arunachala Swamy Temple
Kalugumalai	Sri Kalugasalamoorthy Temple
Kalugumalai	Vettuvan Koil
Mela Pudukudi	Arunjunjnai Kaatha Ayyanar Temple
Rajapathy	Sri Kailasanathar Temple
Sernthamangalam	Sri Kailasanathar Temple
SPIC Nagar	Sri Siddhi Vinayagar Temple
Srivaikuntam	Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple
Thenthiruperai	Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple
Thenthiruperai	Sri Kailasanathar Temple
Thiruchendur	Tiruchendur Murugan Temple
Thirukolur	Sri Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple
Thirupuliyanngudi	Thirupuliyangudi Perumal Temple
Thiruvaragunamangai	Sri Vijayaasana Perumal Temple
Tholaivillimangalam	Devapiran Temple
Tholaivillimangalam	Sri Aravindalochanar Temple
Thoothukudi	Sri Shankara Rameswarar Temple
Thoothukudi	Sri Vaikuntapathi Perumal Temple
Tirukulandhai	Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Sri Aravindalochanar Temple at Irattai Tirupathi / Rettai Tirupati / Thiru Tholaivilli Mangalam, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in the Thoothukudi district are called Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar has sung pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence, these 9 Vishnu temples are classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with Vishnu’s ten incarnations and the planets. This is one of the Irattai Tirupati temples between the Tamirabarani and the North Channel. The Aravinda Lochanar Temple is associated with  Macha Avathara, and the Planet is Ketu (The magnetic field).  This is one of the two temples (considered as one) where Thayar was praised in the Thiruvaimozhi along with Perumal by Nammalwar.

துவளில் மாமணி மாடம் ஓங்கு  தொலைவில்லி மங்கலம் தொழும்

இவளை, நீர் இனி  அன்னைமீர் உமக்கு ஆசை இல்லை விடுமினோ

தவள ஓண்சங்கு சக்கரம் என்றும், தாமரை தடங்கண் என்றும்,

குவளை ஒண் மலர் கண்கள் நீர்மல்க நின்று நின்று குமுருமே. ( 3271)

சிந்தையாலும் சொல்லாலும் செய்கைனாலும் தேவபிரனையே

தந்தை தாய் என்றடைந்து வணி குரு கூரவர் சடகோபன் சொல்,

முந்தை ஆயிரத்துள்ளி இவை தொலை, மங்கலத்தைச் சொன்ன

செந்தமிழ் பத்தும் வல்லர் அடிமை செய்வார் திருமாலுக்கே.  (3281)

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Aravindalochanar

Thayar     : Sri Karunthadakanni

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are after the arch under a mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. In Sanctu,m Perumal is in a sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  Above the head of Perumal Adhiseshan's hood is an umbrella.  Urchavars are also in the sanctum. Alwars are in antarala. In koshta/niches, there are no sculptures. Instead, the makara has the reliefs of Krishna’s kuda kooththu, Narasimha, and Brahma. On the south side of the Gopura is Veena Dakshinamurthy. There is no separate sannadhi for Thayar.

 

ARCHITECTURE:

The original temple was built by the Pandyas. The sanctum sanctorum is built on a simple pada bandha adhisthana, reconstructed during recent periods with Jagathy, thripatta kumuda. The prastaram has a kapota and a nagara, and the vesara 2-tier Vimana is above the prastaram, called "Kumudha Vimana".  The niches  are empty, and the makara torana has the reliefs.

Irattai Tirupathi/ Rettai Tirupati was in danger of collapse due to a 1990 flood in the Thamirabarani River. Flood water touched the feet of the Lord. The then Bhattars Seshamani and Sadagopachari had a difficult time during those periods. No one cares, depending on the thattu kasu, and the Visitors are also very thin. After the flood, with the effort of Venu Srinivasan of T V S group, Thiyagaraj, and Ashok Nadar, both temples were dismantled completely and reconstructed. Maha samprokshanam was also conducted.

LEGENDS

People in large numbers offer prayers to be relieved from  Ketu dosham.

Rishi Suprabar, after completing the yagna, went to the pond on the north side to get Lotus flowers. Seeing the beauty of the flowers, Aravindalochanar came out of the temple, from where Rishi Suprabar got the Lotus flowers. When Rishi Suprabar asked why Perumal was following him, Perumal wanted to know from where the flowers were brought and asked Suprabar to do pooja for him also. Suprabar installed Aravindalochanar and had done poojas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs with a break of 1 hour for lunch.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ramanan Bhattar may be contacted on his mobile 94435 54570  for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Irattai Tirupati Aravindalochanar temple is about 10 km from Srivaikuntam, and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Thiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

The temple is 28 km from Thiruchendur, 48 km from Tirunelveli, and 197 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway stations are Alwarthirunagari, 6 km, Srivaikuntam (10 km), and Tirunelveli (48 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

A Kudakooththu relief with 4 pots (a rare one) in the south niche makara thorana

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Devapiran Temple at Irattai Tirupati / Rettai Tirupathi, Thirutholaivilli Mangalam - South Temple, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in the Thoothukudi district are called Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar has sung pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence, these 9 Vishnu temples are classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with Vishnu’s ten incarnations and the planets. This Irattai Tirupati temple is between the North Channel and the Thamirabarani River. The Devapiran temple is associated with Varaka avathara, and the planet is Raghu (the magnetic field). This is one of the two temples (considered as one) where Thayar was praised in the Thiruvaimozhi along with Perumal by Nammalwar.

துவளில் மாமணி மாடம் ஓங்கு  தொலைவில்லி மங்கலம் தொழும்

இவளை, நீர் இனி  அன்னைமீர் உமக்கு ஆசை இல்லை விடுமினோ

தவள ஓண்சங்கு சக்கரம் என்றும், தாமரை தடங்கண் என்றும்,

குவளை ஒண் மலர் கண்கள் நீர்மல்க நின்று நின்று குமுருமே. ( 3271)

சிந்தையாலும் சொல்லாலும் செய்கைனாலும் தேவபிரனையே

தந்தை தாய் என்றடைந்து வணி குரு கூரவர் சடகோபன் சொல்,

முந்தை ஆயிரத்துள்ளி இவை தொலை, மங்கலத்தைச் சொன்ன

செந்தமிழ் பத்தும் வல்லர் அடிமை செய்வார் திருமாலுக்கே.  (3281)

....( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Devapiran & Sri Srinivasan

Thayar     : Sri Padmavathy and Sri Alamelumangai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are in the mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The moolavar Devapiran is in a standing posture with Sri Lakshmi on his chest. Hence, there is no separate sannadhi for Thayar. Urchavars are in the ardha mandapam. Alwars, Garudan, and Vahanas are in the maha mandapam.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum is built on a simple pada bandha adhistana, reconstructed during recent periods with Jagathy, thripatta kumuda. The prastaram has the kapotha with karnakood and a nagara & vesara. The 2-tier vimana is above the prastaram called Kumudha Vimana.  The niches are empty, and makara thorana has the reliefs of Krishna dancing a kudakoothu with 4 pots, Narasimhar, and Brahma. On the Vimana's south side is a stucco image of Dakshinamurthy.

Irattai Tirupati/Rettai Tirupathi was in danger of collapse due to the 1990 flood in the Thamirabarani River. Flood water touched the feet of the Lord. The then Bhattars Seshamani and Sadagopachari had a difficult time during those periods. No one cares, depending on the thattu kasu, and the Visitors are also very thin.  After the flood, with the effort of Venu Srinivasan of T V S group, Thiyagaraja and Ashok Nadar, both temples were dismantled completely and reconstructed. Maha samprokshanam was also conducted.

LEGEND:

People in large numbers offer prayers to be relieved from  Rahu dosham. When Rishi Suprabar dug the ground here for a yagna he was performing, he found a bow and a measuring scale, which turned into a handsome Young man and a beautiful woman, thus relieving them of Kubera’s curse. Rishi Suprabar completed the yagna and gave the avirpaka share to Devas. Feeling excited, all the Devas prayed to Lord Vishnu, and Vishnu also appeared before them and blessed them. Hence, Moolavar is called Devapiran. 

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs with a break of 1 hour for lunch.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Sheshamani Bhattar may be contacted on his mobile at 94424 90567 or S Raghu Bhattar at 94878 31689  for further details.

HOW TO REACH: 

The Irattai Tirupathi Devapiran Temple is about 10 km from Srivaikuntam, and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

The temple is 28 km from Thiruchendur, 48 km from Tirunelveli, and 197 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway Station is Alwarthirunagari 6 km, Srivaikuntam, 10 km), and Tirunelveli (48 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Kuda koothu

A Vijayanagara-period mandapa near the temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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Srinivasa perumal Temple / Sri Mayakoothar Temple at ThirukuIandhai / Perungulam, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of the river Tamirabarani in the Thoothukudi district are called Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar has sung pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence, these 9 Vishnu temples are classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with Vishnu’s ten incarnations and the planets.  Perungulam Temple is associated with the Koorma Avatar, and the planet is Shani (Saturn).

கூடச்சென்றேன் இனி என் கொடுக்கேன்? கோள்வளை  நெஞ்சத் தொடக்கமெல்லாம்,

பாடற்றொழிய இழந்து வைகல் பல்வளை யார்முன் பரிசழிந்தன்

மாடக்கொடிமதின் தென் குளத்தை வண்குட பால் நின்ற மாயக்கூத்தன்

ஆடல் பறவை உயர்த்த வெல்லோர் ஆழிவளவனை ஆதரித்தே

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Srinivasa Perumal and Sri Mayakoothar.

Thayar     : Sri Kulanthai Valli and Sri Alarmel Mangai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram, and a mandapa is in front. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Garudan are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. Moolavar is in a standing posture. Thayar Kamaladevi is on Lord Vishnu’s Chest. There are no idols in the koshtas/niches. 

Urchavars are in the ardha mandapam, and Alwars are in the maha mandapam. In prakara sannadhi for Nagars on a round platform, Sri Venkata Mudayan is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is no separate sannadhi for Thayar. It was said that Sri Lakshmi resides on the chest of moolavar. Urchavar  Mayakoothan is with Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Neela Devi.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE.

The temple was built by the Pandyas and expanded by the Vijayanagar and Nayaks. The sanctum adhisthana is with upana and a simple pada bandha adhisthana. Mandapa pillars are yazhi pillars and are worth seeing.  The Vimana is called "Ananda Nilayam".

After maintenance and painting, the temple was consecrated on 09-12-1998.

 A front mandapa pillar relief-- may be a donor (Vijayanagara Nayak period)

LEGEND:

This temple is a parihara sthalam of Shani Bhagwan. People used to offer prayers on Shani Peyarchi Day.

Thayar Kamalavathi was born to Vedhasaran and Kumudhavalli, who are doing pooja to Perumal. Kamalavalli said that she would not marry any human being. So, she started her penance on Vishnu. Perumal was pleased by  Kamalavathi’s penance, appeared, and kept her on his Chest. When Kumudhavalli was on her way to take a bath, a demon by the name of Achmasaran took her and kept her in the Himalayas. As per the request of Vedhasaran,  Perumal, with the help of Garuda, took her back and killed the demon  Achamasaran.  Hence, Garuda took Perumal on his back to this place, and he was given a special status, seen along the  Urchavars.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.30 Hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Venkatesa Bhattar may be contacted on his mobile 94436 19222, and Muthukrishnan Bhattar  on his mobile 9994098664 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Perungulam  is about 15 km from Srivaikuntam, and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

The 26 km from Thiruchendur, 46 km from Tirunelveli, and 195 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway stations are Srivaikuntam (15 km) and Tirunelveli (46 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

  Nagars

Temple Tank ( Perungulam )- even with little water, it looks beautiful

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple / Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple, at Thenthiruperai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in the Thoothukudi district are called Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar has sung pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence, these 9 Vishnu temples are classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with Vishnu’s ten incarnations and the planets.  The Thenthiruperai temple is associated with the Parasurama Avatar, and the planet is Shukra (Venus).

வெள்ளைச் சுரிசங்கொடு ஆழியேந்த்தித்த தாமரைக் கண்ணன் என்னெஞ்னூடே

புள்ளைக் கடாகின்ற வாற்றைக் காணீர் என் சொல்லிச் சொல்கேன் அன்னைமீர்காள்

வெள்ளைச் சுகமன் வீற்றிருக்க வேதவொலியும் விழாவொலியும்,

பிள்ளைக் குழாவிளை  யாட்டொலியும் அறாத் திருப்பேரையில் சேர்வன் நானே..

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar 

Thayar     : Sri Kuzhai kaathu Valli & Thiruperai Naachiyar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a mandapam in front of the 2-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram.  In Maha mandapam, Urchavars and Alwars.  Garudan sannidhi is in the maha mandapam and is not in a straight line with moolavar. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. In the sanctum, Moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi in a standing posture.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Sri Kuzhaikatha Nachiyar and Thiruperai Nachiyar.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was believed to have been built before Nammalwar. The temple was built by the Pandyas and later completely renovated during the Vijayanagara period. The Bhattars, who do daily pooja, are brought from Chozha Nadu by Sundara Pandyan. They were offered Gold and wealth and are called Jaimini Sama Veda Dhalavakara Nootronmar (108) descendants of this place Brahmins.

 

As per the recent period inscriptions, the Dwajasthambam, Inner mandapam, outer mandapam, and Chariot were constructed during the middle of the 10^th Century. 

The latter 20th and 21st-century inscriptions are found on the ceiling stones of the mukha mandapam. These inscriptions record the donations given for constructing this mandapam. 

After repair and painting, the temple was consecrated (Maha Samprokshanam) on 16-06-1995.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum is built with simple pada bandha adhisthana, and the adhistana is about 2 feet below the ground level. There are no images in the koshtams. The prastaram is with valapi, Kapotham with Nasikudus. The 2-tier nagara vimanam over the prastaram was constructed with bricks. The Vimanam is called Sukran. Mandapa Yazhi pillars are worth seeing.

LEGEND:

Sri Lakshmi  was upset with Lord Vishnu for spending more time with Bhoodevi. So she complained to Durvasa and wanted the same color and beauty as Bhoodevi. When he met Bhoodevi, he was not given due respect. Angered, Durvasa cursed Bhoodevi to take the same colour and beauty as Sri Lakshmi.  Bhoodevi took penance at this place and found two fish / Makara-shaped earrings. Lord Vishnu wore the makara earrings to be known as “MakaraNedunKuzhaikathar”. Since Bhoodevi took the form of Lakshmi due to the curse of Sage Durvasa, the place is also called Sri Perai/ThiruPerai.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Anandhu Bhattar may be contacted on his mobile at 96889 51429 / 93605 53489  and land line 04639 273902, or AKK Bhattar at 04639 272030 and office at 04639 272233 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Thenthiruperai is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Thenthiruperai.

The temple is 25 km from Thiruchendur, 38 km from Tirunelveli, and 194 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway stations are Srivaikuntam (11 km) and Tirunelveli (38 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---