NAVATHIRUPATHI

NAVATHIRUPATHI

SRIVAIKUNTAM

Navathirupati is near Thirunalveli. Srivaikuntam to Tirunelveli 30 Kms and Alwarthirunagari to Tiruchendur 30 Kms 9 Garudasevai is held on “ Vaikasi Visagam” day. Better to stay in Thirunelveli and visit the Navathirupathi is easy way

NATHAM

Thiruvaraguna Mangai temple is about two kms east of Sri Vaikuntam and is known to many as the Vishnu temple at Natham.True to his name, Lord Vijayaasanar is seen to be sitting majestically like a victorious king on the throne. It is believed that a visit to this temple will help one attain moksha. This place is said to be a Chandran Kshetram.

THIRUPULAYANKUDI

One km east of Natham is the Lord KaasinaVenthar temple at Thirupulingkudi. The east-facing Lord is seen in a reclining posture with a lotus stalk from his navel terminating in a flower on Brahma’s image on the wall of the sanctum.The story goes that Vishnu, along with Goddess Sridevi, came down to visit this place. Angered at being ignored for the trip,Goddess Bhoodevi hid herself in the netherworld. After Vishnu pacified her, it is believed that the two goddesses came back together and gave darshan here with the Lord. An interesting feature of the temple is that Vishnu’s feet can be viewed through a small window in the passage.

RETTAI THIRUPATHI

Rettai Tirupathi or twin temples that lie within a 100 yards of each other in the middle of a jungle. The first of the two temples has Lord Devapiran in a standing posture facing east.Sage Suprabhar who performed a yagna at this place relieved a man and a woman from Kubera’s curse, which had turned them into a measuring scale (tulai) and a bow (villi). Hence this place is called Tulai Villi Mangalam.At the second temple, one finds Lord Aravindalochanar in a seated posture facing east. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu was impressed with Sage Suprabhar’s daily lotus pooja and gave darshan to the sage on the northern banks of Tamaraibarani. Hence, it is believed that one who does special ‘Lotus Flower’ pooja at this temple will be relieved of all sins. 

PERUNGULAM

The Maayakoothan temple at Thirukulanthai is about 10 kms east of SriVaikuntam. Legend has it that Vishnu went on his Garuda Vaahan to rescue Goddess Lakshmi from an Asura. Hence, one finds Garuda as the Utsav deity here.In the battle that ensued, Vishnu is said to have performed his victory dance standing on Asura’s body and hence the name ‘MaayaKoothaN

THENTHIRUPERAI

On the South bank of Tamaraibarani, one finds the big Nigaril Mugilvannan temple at ThenThiruperai, where the Lord is seen in a seated posture facing east. Legend has it that Goddess Bhoodevi found two fish-shaped ear rings while performing a penance to relieve herself of Sage Durvasa’s curse and offered it to the Lord.Another story is that Varuna (the rain god) performed a penance here to be relieved of his curse. As a mark of this episode, it is believed that Varuna, visits this temple, every year, on the full moon day in the month of Panguni (March-April) and worships Vishnu. 

THIRUKKOLUR :

Once Kubera went to Mount Kailash to pay his obeisance to Lord Shiva. There he found Goddess Parvathi seated by the side of Lord Shiva. Kubera looked at her with an evil intent. Due to his act, Goddess Parvathi became angry and cursed him to become ugly and to loose Nava Nidhis (nine kinds of  Wealth). Lord Vishnu got his wealth,  thus he was named as ‘Vaithamanidhi Perumal’. Kubera did penance for the Lord Vishnu to appear before him and pardon him from the Goddess Parvathi's curse.  Kubera sought her pardon but her anger did not vanish. She told Kubera that he would lose sight in one eye and remain ugly for ever. She further told that he had to  perform deep penance  for Lord ‘Vaithamanidhi Perumal’ and regain from him his lost Nidhis (wealth).  Kubera did penance at this place (Tirukkolur) and regained half of his lost wealth.

ALWAR THIRUNAGARI TEMPLE

Our last halt at the Nava Tirupathi temples is the AadiNaathan temple. Lord Nambi of Thirukkurungkudi is believed to have been born here as Nammazhvaar. When born, Nammazhvaar is said to have not opened his eyes or cried.He resided under a tamarind tree within the temple for 16 years till he met Madurakavi (who was to later become his disciple) who posed some interesting questions about life. So impressed was MaduraKavi (Azhvaar) with Nammazhvaar’s answers, that he said, “I do not need God, Nammazhvaar is enough”.An important festival at this temple is the Vaikasi Utsav, when the deities from all the Nava Tirupathi temples congregate here to listen to the Paasurams with Nammazhvaar seated on the Hamsa Vaahan.
This is one of the three Divya Desams in TN where Araiyar Sevai, the visual song and dance enactment of the Paasurams is still being performed. Most of the inscriptions here date back to 1000 years.

At the end of Nava Tirupathi temples, one can come back to Tirunelveli. 
From Tirunelveli, one can then visit Vaanamaamalai and Thirukurungkudi and end the Divya Desam trip with Srivilliputhur.