Historical and Architectural Study of the Navatirupathi Vishnu Temples of Eral Taluk, Thoothukudi District

http://www.shanlaxjournals.com 61 £UP® Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities Historical and Architectural Study of the Navatirupathi Vishnu Temples of Eral Taluk, Thoothukudi District J. Raja Dharshini (Reg. No :2421210032003) Ph.D. Research Scholar (Full Time) Kamaraj College, (Autonomous) Thoothukudi Affiliated with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli Dr. K.Samuel Thangaraj Kores Assistant Professor Department of History Nazareth Margoschis College at Pilliyanmanai, Nazareth Abstract The nine Hindu temples known as Navathirupathi (Temples) are situated on the banks of the Thamiraparani River in Tamilnadu, India, along the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route. These temples are all categorized as “Divya Desams,” which are the 108 Vishnu temples that are revered by the twelve poet saints, also known as Alwars. The term “Divya Desams” refers to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the writings of the Tamil Azhwars (saints). On the banks of the Thamiraparani River in Tamilnadu, India, along the TiruchendurTirunelveli route, are nine Hindu temples called Navathirupathi (Temples). All of these temples fall under the category of “Divya Desams,” which are the 108 Vishnu temples honoring the twelve poet saints, or Alwars. There are 108 Vishnu temples that are referred to as “Divya Desams” in the writings of the Tamil Azhwars (saints). Keyword: Temple, Navathirupathi, Vishnu. Introduction 1. Srivaikuntam [(Sri Vaikuntanatha (Kallapiran) Temple] 2. Natham (Vijayaasana Perumal Temple – Thiru Varagunamangai) 3. Thiruppulingudi (Kaaisinavendhan Temple) 4. Perungulam (Thirukullanthai) (Sri Mayakoothar Temple) 5. Irattai Thiruppathi (Rettai Tirupathi North Temple, 6. Tholaivillimangalam & Rettai Tirupathi South Temple, Tholaivillimangalam) 7. Then Thirupperai (Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple) 8. Alwarthirunagari (Adhinaatha Perumal Temple – Thirukkurugur) 9. Thirukolur (Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple) Ninevaishnavashrines The deities in the nine Vaishnava shrines, known as “Navathiruppathi,” are revered as the “Navagrahaas” themselves, and they are thought to be connected to the nine planets or celestial bodies, or the “Navagrahaas.” They are: 1. Sooriyan (Sun) – Srivaikuntam 2. Chandran (Moon) – Varagunamangal 3. Angaarakan (Mars) – Tirukkolur 4. Budhan (Mercury) – Thiruppulikuti ©»º: 13 ]Ó¨¤uÌ: 2 ©õu®: ö\¨h®£º Á¸h®: 2025 P-ISSN: 2321-788X E-ISSN: 2582-0397 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ zenodo.17310917 62 £UP® kupah fiy kw;Wk; mwptpay; (kfspu;) fy;Y}up> jpUney;Ntyp gz;ila tuyhWk; jkpou; gz;ghLk; 5. Guru (Jupiter) – Alwar Tirunagari 6. Chukran (Venus) – Thentirupperai 7. Shani (Saturn) – Perungulam 8. Raghu – Irattal thirupathi (Thirutholaivillimangalam) 9. Kethu – Irattaithirupathi (Thirutholaivillimangalam) The Navagrahaa temples in the Chola country (Surya – Thirumangalakkudi, Chandra – Thingaloor, Angaarakan – Putthirukku Velur, Budha – Thiruvenkaadu, Guru – Aalangudi, Sukra – Kanjanoor, Shani – Thirunallaar, Raahu – Thirunageswaram, and Ketu – Keezhperumpallam) are acknowledged on par with these Navathiruppathis in the Pandya region. Unlike other temples, these Vishnu temples do not have separate shrines for the Navagrahaas because the Prime Deities themselves are worshipped as the Navagrahaas. Worshiping these deities is supposed to lessen the negative effects of Navagrahaas that arise during a person’s lifetime. Navathirupathi - 1 - Srivaikuntam The temple is roughly three kilometers from the station, which is located on the TirunelveliTiruchendur railway line. There are regular bus services from Tirunelveli, which is around 30 km away. Since Adisesha is always the bed to the Lord, who rests comfortably on him, he is presented in an unusual way with the Prime Deity Lord Vaikuntanathan facing east and standing with Adisesha acting as an umbrella. Vaikuntanayaki and Choranathanayaki, the Lord’s Consorts, reside in separate shrines within the sanctum sanctorum’s outer praakaram. This temple is fairly large, and in order to get to the sanctum, we must cross multiple “mandapams.”. With his beautiful consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, on either side, Sri Kallappiran stands majestically on a golden couch in the Ardha Mandapam, wielding a mace. The Lord of Procession is him. The sanctum sanctorum is situated next to the ardha mandapam. This temple is connected to two legends. Lord Vishnu once retrieved Lord Brahma’s Creation-secret from an asura named Somakan after the demon had stolen it. This location became known as Srivaikuntam because the Lord came directly from His home of Vaikuntam and consented to stay here. Later, a thief named Kaaladhushakan. After worshiping Vaikuntanathan, he carried out his heist and gave Him half of the looted goods. Back then, he was a Robinhood who helped the poor and pillaged the wealthy. His men were once apprehended by the King’s soldiers while they were pillaging the palace. When Kaladhushakan learned that they had to choose a leader, he prayed to the Lord of Srivaikuntam to save him. The King was instructed to uphold dharma by the Lord, who manifested before him in the form of Kaaladhushakan. The King asked the Lord to stay here as “Kallappiraan” after having this Beatific Vision.. The Sun-god visits this temple twice a year to worship the Lord, which is a wonderful feature! On the sixth day of the Tamil months of Chithrai and Aippasi, the sun’s golden rays pass through the temple portals, enter the sanctum, and lavish the Lord with their magnificent light. Srivaikuntam is the only Vishnu temple where such a Sun-worship takes place. Thus, the temple portals’ construction is a masterful engineering achievement. Navathirupathi – 2 – Srivaragunamangai (Natham) Situated 3 km east of Srivaikuntam on the Tirunelveli-Srivaikuntam railway line, this small village lacks many residential quarters. The location is commonly referred to as “Natham.” Vijayasanar, the Prime Deity, is positioned facing east in a seated position. The Lord’s loyal vassal, Adisesha, drapes his powerful hoods over His head like an umbrella. Beside him resides his consort, Varagunavalli or Varagunamangai. According to legend, the Lord appeared before Vedavith, a Brahmin who performed the rites for his deceased father, mother, and Guru by reciting the wonderful mantra known as “Aasanathal.”Vedavith was told by the Lord, who was posing as an elderly Brahmin, to go to the holy site of Varagunamangal and recite the mantra, which would subsequently come to pass. Its entire capacity. Through diligent tapasya and mantra meditation, Vedavith was able to obtain the Lord’s Supreme Feet (Parama Padam). The Lord was given the name “Vijayasanar” because he chanted the “Aasana” mantra. A sage named Romasar had previously assured his disciple Sathyavaan that a person who http://www.shanlaxjournals.com 63 £UP® Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities passed away in this kshetra (holy place) would achieve “moksa.” While bathing in the Akanaasa Thirtham, Sathyavaan witnessed an odd occurrence: a fisherman was bitten by a snake and died, but he was taken to the Celestial City in a chariot.According to the Guru, a fisherman who died in this hallowed location could atone for serious transgressions from his prior life. Varagunamangal is so glorious. Along with the Lords of Thiruppulinkuti and Srivaikuntam, Nammalvar consecrated this Lord in a single paasuram in his Tiruvaaymozhi (9.2.4). Navathirupathi – 3 – Thirukkolur This holy site is roughly two kilometers away along the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur railway line. from the hamlet of Alwartirunagari, another Navathiruppathi devoted to Brihaspathi, which has no facilities. But because of His great grace, the Prime Deity, lying eastward on His snake-bed, entices followers. Lord Kubera, the God of Wealth, is linked to the location’s “rich” legend. He is the Keeper of “Navanidhis,” or nine unique treasures, and immeasurable wealth. He once incurred the wrath of Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva, who cursed Kubera, causing him to lose all of his belongings, including the “Navanidhis,” in addition to losing one eye and becoming a dwarf. Naturally, the wealth required a guardian, and it was given to Lord Vishnu at the banks of the Porunai (River Tamiraparani), who took it and chose to remain there with all of the wealth. That’s why it’s called “Vaithamaanidhi Perumal.” Kubera later received a share of his wealth after worshiping this “Nikshepavitthan” (Vaithmaanidhi Perumal). The Lord is always on guard, lying supine with the measuring vessel (marakkaal) as His pillow. Thiru Aadhanoor, a “Divyadesam” in Tanjore District, has a comparable icon. Another name for Thirukkolur is “Adharmabisuna kshetram.” Dharma (righteousness), which is also a treasure, remained here and defeated adharma (iniquity) with the aid of this Lord.. It is believed that if we worship this Lord, we will be able to recover our lost wealth. This is confirmed by a legend: Dharma Guptha, who had ten children, was incredibly impoverished and unable to endure the hardships he had to endure at the hands of his Guru Sage Bharadwaja. According to the Guru, he would be freed from poverty if he worshipped Vaithamaanidhi Perumal, as his condition was caused by his previous birth’s sin of being a miser. As a result, Dharma Guptha served the Lord and regained his fortune.. This is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Alvar, one of the twelve Alwars. Twelve paasurams honoring the location and the Lord have been dedicated to Nammalvar. Madhurakavi Alvar, Sri Swami Desikan, and Sri Manavala Maamunigal have all paid rich homage to the location. Nava Thirupathy Temple – 4 – Thiruppuliankudi The lotus that Brahma is sitting on is joined by an umbilical cord from the Perumal naval. This window is the only way for those who wish to have the Darshan of the Lord’s lotus feet. Indhra was released from Brahmahathi Sin at this point. Worshiping the Lord here also helped a Brahmin named Yagnya Sharma who was wandering as a demon as a result of the sons of Sage Vasishta’s curse. In Thiruppuliankudi, Varuna, Niruthi, Dharmaraja, and Narar also experienced the Lord’s Darshan Nava Thirupathy Temple – 5 – Alwar Thirunagari In Alwar Thirunagari, the Lord appeared on his own. According to tradition, the feet of the Lord are below the earth. The Araiyar Seval Festival is celebrated in the temple as it is followed in Srirangam. Hymns praising the Lord (Prabandhams) are recited during.Abhishekam to the Lord. The tamarind tree under which sage Nammalwar performed his penance and authored his hymns is still present in Alwar Thirunagari. The Lord is also known as Varaha Perumal and Gnana Piran. The temple is administered by the descendents of Manawala Maamunigal. Here, Indhra was relieved from the sin of neglecting his parents. According to tradition, the tamarind tree is none other than Lakshmana. Nava Thirupathy Temple – 6 – Thenthirupperai The temple is enormous. Sage Durvasa cursed Boomi Devi to change her appearance to that of Lakshmi Devi in accordance with Lakshmi Devi’s request. Boomi Devi earned the moniker “Sri Perai” by performing penance chanting “Ashtakshara” (Om Namo Narayanayah), which she learned from Sage 64 £UP® kupah fiy kw;Wk; mwptpay; (kfspu;) fy;Y}up> jpUney;Ntyp gz;ila tuyhWk; jkpou; gz;ghLk; Durvasa. On the day of the full moon, she presented the Lord with two fish-shaped earrings, and as a result, the Lord became known as Makaranedung Kuzhaikadhar. In honor of Boomi Devi, who was formerly known as Sri Perai, the location is called Thirupperal. Varuna was also absolved of his sin of mistreating Jupiter here. According to tradition, the famine in his nation was alleviated when the King of Vidharba worshipped the Lord. Nava Thirupathi Temple – 7 – Perunkulam (Thirukkulandai) Born to Vedhacharan, a Brahmin, Kamalavathi underwent penance and was successful in getting married to the Lord. Another name for the location is Balika Vanam. Another legend states that the Lord took on the name Maya Koothan after engaging in combat with a demon named Ashmasaran and dancing on his body. Additionally, Garuda is close to the procession deity. Nava Thirupathi Temple – 8 & 9 – Twin Temples Known As ‘Irattai Thiruppathy’ – Tholavil Mangalam Near Thenthirupperal, Tholavil Mangalam is home to two temples called “Irattal Thirupathy.” This Divya Desam is regarded as a single entity. Located in the middle of a thick forest is the temple. Knowing whether the priest is available makes it wise to visit the temple. Nammalwar has praised these twin temples with eleven hymns. The planets of Raghu and Kethu are associated with the temple. Conclusion Considered a Divya Desam and dedicated to one of the nine planetary deities (Navagrahas), the Navatirupathi temples in Eral taluk, Thoothukudi district, are a noteworthy group of nine Vishnu temples with a rich history and notable Dravidian architecture. The temples are a reflection of centuries of Vaishnavite tradition, with their legends recorded in ancient texts and their structures incorporating contributions from various dynasties. Reference 1. C. Chandaramouli, Temple of Tamilnadu in THOOTHUKUDIdistrict, 2001. 2. K. Balasubramainam, 108 Temples of tamil nadu, 2005 3. 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya Desams in Pandya Nadu by M. S. Ramesh: 1992. 4. 15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu by M. Rajagopalan: 1993. 5. Vaisnava Temples of South India: A Study of Divyaksetras in Tamil Nadu by S. Ganeshram: Published by Sharada Publishing House. While the specific year is not noted in the search results for this book, a related work, Studies in Art History of India, co-edited by Ganeshram and published by the same house, has a publication date of 2010. 6. Samapti-Suprabhatam: Reflections on South Indian Bhakti Tradition edited by R.K.K. Rajarajan and S. Ganeshram: 2017. 7. Studies in Art History of India edited by R.K.K. Rajarajan and S. Ganeshram: 2010. 8. Vishnu temples of south india Volume one (Tamil Nadu) by Chithra Madhavan. 1905.