Adinatha Perumal Temple at Thirukurukur, Alwarthirunagari Temple, Thoothukudi HOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU – 108 DIVYA DESAM.

29^th June 2019

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  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 the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Alwarthirunagari Temple is associated with Vamana Avathara and the planet is Guru – Brihaspati ( Jupiter ).

ஒன்றுந்தேவும் உலகும் உயிரும் மற்றும் யாதுமில்லா அன்று,

நான்முகன் தன்னொடு தேவர் உலகோடு உயிர்படைத்தான்

குன்றும் போல் மணிமாடம் நீடு திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள்

நின்ற ஆதிப்பிரான் நிற்க மற்றெத்  தெய்வம் நாடுதீரே

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Adhinathan (Adinatha Perumal )

Thayar     : Sri Adi Nayaki & Thirukurukur Nachiyar/Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and a meta colour sheet mandapam. There is a mandapam after the Rajagopuram with a 4 pillar mandapam at the center. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are in the maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, ardha mandapa, a maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A maha mandapam is after crossing the 2^nd level. 

In outer prakaram Sri Paramapada Nathar, Chakkarathalwar,  Thayar Sannidhi, Dasavathara Sannidhi, Kurugoor Nachiyar, Sthala Vruksham Uranga puli (  a Non sleeping tamarind – leaves will not fold leaves during night ), Nammalwar Sannadhi  is with separate Dwajasthambam and a Balipeedam, Nadhamuni, Alwars and Garudan.

In the inner prakaram Venugopalan, Gnanapiran, Hanuman, Garudan, Narasimhar with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan and madappally.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE:

Inscription of the Kumudam mentions this place as Thiru kurugoor in Thiruvazhuthi valanadu. Believed to be built during early Pandya period. Vimana is called as Govinda Vimana.

The sanctum sanctorum was built with Upapeda consists of upana, yazhivari and Kabotham. The adhisthana is built with padmam, Silambu kumudam, kapotham and the walls are supported with beautiful pilasters. The walls and Niches has the Vishnu’s various avatar sculptures. The prastaram is in the form of Kodungai.

 

A Pandya period inscription

LEGEND:

It is believed that Vishnu had done penance in this place and the temple is considered as First temple or the Aadhi Temple. Hence Vishnu is called as Aadhinaathar (Adinathan )

Vishnu preached the manthra to Brahma as a Guru, Hence this place is called as Kurugoor. The Kurugu ( Conch ) attained moksha, hence this place is called as Kurugoor. In another legend Rama asked Lakshmana not to let anybody to disturb him during his penance. But couldn’t stop  Saint Durvasa and stood like a tree. Rama got angry and cursed him to born as ( Tamarind ) tree in the next birth and Rama as Nammalwar do penance under the Tamarind tree.  Lakshmana was Adhiseshan in one of the birth and this place is called as Shesha Kshetram.

People used to offer prayers on Guru peyarchi day.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs 12.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs  to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Thiruvengada Bhattar may be contacted on his land line 04639 272079 or Arayar Srinivasan  98944 43900 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Alwarthirunagari is on the way to Thiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Alwarthirunagari.

30 KM from Thiruchendur, 32 KM from Tirunelveli and 190 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 4.6 KM ) and Tirunelveli ( 32 KM ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A Tamarind tree base adhisthana relief

 A Tamarind tree base adhisthana reliefs

 A Tamarind  tree adhisthana reliefs

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thirupuliyangudi Perumal Temple / Bboomipalagar Perumal Temple, Sri Kaichinaventha Perumal Temple, at Thirupuliyangudi, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  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 the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Thiru Puliyangudi is associated with Kalki Avathara and the planet  Budhan ( Mercury ).

பண்டை நாளாலே நின் திரு அருளும் பங்கையத்தான் திரு அருளும் கொண்டு,

நின் கோயில் சீய்த்துப்பல் படிகால் குடி குடி வந்து

ஆட்செய்யும் தொண்டரோர்க்(கு) அருளிச் சோதி வாய் திறந்துன்

தாமரைக் கண்களால் நோக்காய்,

தொண்டீரைப் பொருதல் தன்பணை சூழ்ந்தனை திருப்புளியங்குடி கிடந்தானே.

கிடந்த நாள் கிடந்தாய் எத்தனை காலம் கிடத்தியுள் திரு உடம்பு அசைய,

தொடர்ந்து குற்றேவல் செய்து கொல்லடிமை வழிவரும் தொண்டோர்க் கருளி,

தடங் கொள்தாமரைக் கண்விழித்து நீ எழுந்தன் தாமரை மங்கையும் நீயும்,

இடங்கொள் மூவுலகும் தொழவிருந்த தருள்வாய் திருப்புளியங்குடி கிடந்தானே.

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Thirupuliyangudi Perumal aka

  Bhoomipalagar Perumal.

Thayar     : Sri Nilamakal Malarmahal Thayar &

  Sri Puliyangudivalli Thayar.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing East with a Rajagopuram base ( mottai Gopuram ). There are sculptures on the Upana. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and garudan are after the Rajagopuram base under a mandapa after the mottai gopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum is of rectangular shape to accommodate 12 feet Vishnu in Sayana Kolam on Adhiseshan. Sri Lakshmi and Bhoomadevi are at his feet. A Jolly work on north side of the sanctum is provided for Perumal’s Patha Darshan. In Koshtas there is no deities. There is no separate sannadhis for Thayars.

ARCHITECTURE :

It is believed that the original temple was built during Pandya period and latter expanded during Vijayanagara period. The sanctum is built with Upana, Jagathi, Kumudha, Patti and prastharam is with Kabotham & Yazhi vari. The Pilasters and Kumbha panchara are shown on the walls of the sanctum.  The Vimana is called as Vadhasara Vimanam.

mottai gopura reliefs of Donors

LEGENDS

As per the legend Indira got relieved from the brahmahathi dosha by killing a Rishi, who was in the form of  Deer, by worshiping Lord Sri Bhoomi palakar of this temple. In another legend   A Brahmin called Yagna Sarma was relieved from the curse of demon by the sons of sage Vasishta after touching the feet of Perumal. In another legend Bhoomidevi got conflict with Perumal and went to nether world. So earth becomes barren. Perumal pacified her  and promised for equal status with Lakshmi. Hence Perumal is called as Bhoomi palagar.

The people used to pray in this temple for child boon.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs with a lunch break for about an hour.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gopalakrishnan Bhattar  may be contacted on his land line 04630 256116 or on mobile number 93666 18183 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Thirukkolur is about 4.2 KM from Srivaikuntam and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

34 KM from Tiruchendur, 32 KM from Tirunelveli and 193 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 4.2 KM ) and Tirunelveli ( 32 KM ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE    : CLICK HERE

 Mottai gopura reliefs

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple at Thirukkolur, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  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 the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Thirukkolur Temple is associated with Narasimha Avatar  and the planet Sevvai ( Mars ).

உண்ணும் சோறு பருகும் நீர் தின்னும் வெர்றிலையும் எல்லாம்

கண்ணன் எம்பெருமான் என்றே கண்கள் நீர்மல்கி

மண்ணினுள் அவன் சீர்வளம் மகிக் அவனூர் வினவி

தண்ணம் எம் இளமான் புகும் ஊர் திருக்கோளூரே

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Vaithamanidhi Perumal / Nishebavithan

Thayar     : Sri Kumutha Valli and Sri Kolur Valli

Some of the salient features are…

The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram base ( Mottai gopuram ). On the opposite side of the road a 4 pillar mandapam. Dwajasthambam, Balipeda and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram base under a mandapa.  The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum is rectangular. Moolavar is in sayana posture on Adhiseshan and its hood forms like an umbrella. Moolavar is made of Stucco keeping his head on a marakkal ( a measuring vessel ). A stucco vimana is on the sanctum. In koshtam various forms of Vishnu. The  Niche makara thorana looks beautiful.

In antarala Urchavars are kept. In the mandapa Visvak Senar and ALwars. In Prakara sannadhi for Kumudha Valli Thayar and Kolurvalli Thayar, Narasimhar, Madhurakavi Alwar, and Pakshirajan (no vigraha).

LEGEND:

As per the legend, Kubera went to Mount kailash to see Shiva and Parvati. Kubera had seen Parvati in a different manner. Parvati got angry and cursed him to leave all the wealth and loose his beauty also. Kubera realized his mistake and begged Parvati to pardon him. Parvati, granted  one eye’s sight and asked him to get back to whom the wealth were surrendered. In the mean time the nava nidhis surrendered to Sri Vaithamanidhi Perumal.  Kubera worshiped perumal and got back his half wealth and gave it to Sri Lakshmi. The rest half of the wealth stayed with Perumal and hence Perumal is called as Vaithamanidhi Perumal.

Kuberan, Madhurakavi,  worshiped Perumal of this temple. People offer prayers to get back the lost wealth. Sevvai dosham parihara sthalam.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE:

The temple was built during Pandya period and 12^th to 13^th century Chozha period inscriptions are found on the Kumudha. The Vimana is called as Srikara Vimana. The adhisthana is of simple pathabhandha adhisthana with Jagathy, thiripatta kumuda and patti.  The Pilasters are looks very beautiful. On  Vimana on the South Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi and on the north Brahma.

An inscription starts with Jayangonda Chozha Pandya...

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Balaji Bhattar may be contacted on the mobiles 90472 17914 and Srinivasa Bhattar 99429 31701 & 04639 273806 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Thirukkolur is about 8 KM from Srivaikuntam and 3 KM from Alwarthirunagari is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Alwarthirunagari.

33 KM from Tiruchendur, 39 KM from Tirunelveli and 200 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 8 KM ) and Tirunelveli (42 KM ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Vijayaasana Perumal Temple at Natham / Thiruvaragunamangai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  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 the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Thiru Varagunamangai temple is associated with Krishna Avathara and the planet Chandran (Moon ).

புளிங்குடி கிடந்து வரகுணமங்கை இருந்து வைகுந்ததுள் நின்று

தெளிந்த என் சிந்தை அகங்கழியாதே என்னை ஆள்வாய் எனக்கு அருளி

நளிர்ந்த சீர் உலகம் மூன்றுடன் வியப்ப நாங்கள் கூத்து ஆடி (நின்(று) ஆர்ப்ப

பளிங்கு நீர் முகிலில் பவளம்போல் கனிவாய் சிவப்ப, நீர காண வாராயே

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Vijayaasana Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Varagunamangai and Sri Varagunavalli 

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. A 16 Pillar mandapa is in front of the Rajagopuram, now it is being used by the vendors. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram under a mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a muka mandapam. A stucco ekathala vimana  ( Vijaya Kodi ) is on the sanctum. In sanctum moolavar is in sitting posture like a triumphant king under adhiseshan's hood. On both sides are Sri Varagunamangai and Varagunavalli Thayar. Urchavars are in Antarala. In arthamandapam Alwars and Dwaralapalakas. Garudalwar is in the muka mandapam and temple tank is out side.

History & Architecture:

It was told that the temple was built during Pandya Period and latter expanded during Vijayanagara and Nayak period. The maha Samprokshanam was performed on 20^th June 1996.  The sanctum is built with Upana and adhisthana is above the upana. Koshta niches are provided and no deity is installed. The prastaram has the kapotham with nasi kudu. Kodungai is some extent similar to  Thiruperundurai.

LEGEND

It is believed that the people who prayed Perumal will attain moksha. A Brahmin called Vedhavi, undertook penance at this place Varagunamangai chanting the “Aasana mantra”. Perumal pleased with the penance and  gave darshan. As a result of Chanting the “Aasana mantra” the Brahmin attained Moksha. Hence the Lord is called as “Vijaya” “Aasana” Perumal.

In another legend, a fisher man in his previous birth  as a King, died due to bitten by a snake. He attained Moksha. As a king the fisher man was harsh in ruling, that’s why he has to take a birth as a fisherman.  This story was narrated by Romasa Rishi to his disciples.

Agni, Romasa Rishi and Sathyavan worshiped Sri Vijayaasana Perumal of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 18.00 Hrs with a lunch break for one hour.

CONTACT DETAILS

Rajagopal Bhattar may be contacted on the mobiles 98656 52280 and 94864 92279 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Natham is about 3 KM from Srivaikuntam and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

38 KM from Thiruchendur, 34 KM from Tirunelveli and 198 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 4.5 KM ) and Tirunelveli ( 34 KM ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A Mandapa pillar pothyal relief

A typical Vijayanagara pillar relief

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple, Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi, District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  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 the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Srivaikuntam Temple is associated with Rama Avatar and the planet Suryan ( Sun ).

புளிங்குடி கிடந்து வரகுணமங்கை இருந்து வைகுந்தத்துள் நின்று

தெளிந்த என் சிந்தை அகங்கழியாதே என்னை ஆள்வாய் எனக்கு அருளி,

நலிந்த சீர் உ;லகம் மூன்றுடன் வியப்ப நாங்கள் கூத்தாடி (நின்(று) ஆர்ப்ப,

பலிங்கு நீர் முகிலின் பவளம் போல் கனிவாய் சிவப்ப நீ காண வாராயே.

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal / Sri Kallapiran

Thayar     : Sri Vaikuntavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 9 tier Rajagopuram. A Nayak period Mandapa with a 4 pillar mandapa is in front of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in a mandapam before 2^nd stage  5 tier Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum walls do not have separate Koshtas, but reliefs of Vishnu’s various avatars with SriDevi and Bhudevi. The Vimana is called as Chandra Vimana. In the prakaram Anjaneyar, Sri Vaikunta Nayaki, Choranatha Nayaki, Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan Sannadhi on the right and Ramar Sannidhi on the left of Dwajasthambam. Paramapatha vassal Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers on the north side.

The Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan mukha mandapa is supported with yazhi pillars with sculptures. There are various sculptors on the adhisthana too.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE:

It is believed that the temple was built during Chandra kula Pandya kings period and latter expanded by the Vijayanagaras and Madurai Nayaks. The sanctum adhisthana is of kapothabandha adhisthana. The koshtas are formed by the Pilasters protruding outside and kumba panchara is in between two koshtas. The prastaram has Kapotha with nasikoodu and reliefs of deities. The Vimana is called as Chandra Vimana. Dwajasthambam was installed during Veerappa Nayakkar. Mandapam was built by Santhana Sabapathy.

  

LEGENDS

There is pinch mark on the cheek of urchavar. As per the legend  the sculptor was very much happy over the Perumal’s beautiful face, so the sculptor pinched Perumal’s cheeks. An another legend, During Pandya period, a cow was showering milk at a particular place. When the place was excavated  and found the old sanctum of the temple. Then the present sanctum was built  on the same place.

Perumal is also called as Kallapiran ( A Thief ). The story behind this goes like this... 

Kaladhoosukan was the son of a famous merchant called Virakupthan. He used to steel material, gold, money, etc., from the rich people. Of that he used to give 50% to the temple and the balance 50% he gives to poor. One day he stole from the treasury of the Pandya King. In the process his friends were caught. When the king came to know that Kaladhoosukan was their leader and ordered to arrest. Kaladhoosukan prayed Perumal and promised to give away the 100% share to the temple. 

So Perumal took the form of Kaladhoosukan and went to the palace. On seeing Perumal’s beautiful and innocent face the King asked him who he is ?. Perumal explained that the wealth of the treasury belongs to the people and is being  misused by the king and the people around him. It is the Kings duty to follow the dharma. So the King is not following the dharma, Perumal taught a lesson through Kaladhoosukan. Since the Perumal saved the thief – Kallan, Perumal is called as Kallapiran.

Birugu Chakravarthy and Indiran worshiped Lord Sri Vaikuntathan Perumal.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Ramesh Bhattar or Srinivasa Bhattar or Vaikuntanathan Bhattar may be contacted on the mobiles 9865628681 and 99521 62359 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Srivaikundam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop near the temple.

34 KM from Thiruchendur, 30 KM from Tirunelveli and 194 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam and Tirunelveli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Sculptures 

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - sculptures

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Yazhi's back  design

Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Pillar sculptures - like Dwarabalaka

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa Yazhi pillars

Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa- Pothyal - a monkey sculpture  

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---