DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 2ndVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
This
is one of the 108 sacred places of Lord Vishnu and the 7th Nava tirupathi
dedicated to Sani Bhagavaan or Saturn. The place known as ‘Tirukkulandai’, is
more identified as Perungulam. The residents of this village recognize their
dwelling as ‘Perungulam Perumal koil’ and thus associate it with the temple.
Though a small village now, inscriptional evidences show that it must have been
a big city, once upon a time. The temple too remains impressive, without much
damage.
Sreenivasan,
the Prime Deity, stands majestically facing east under the Ananda Nilayam
vimaanam. His Spouses have their place near him and do not have separate
shrines. The Utsavar or procession deity is called ‘Maayakkoothan’ or
Soranathan in Sanskrit. The interesting feature is that Garuda, who is usually
installed opposite to the Moolavar, dwells as Utsavar in the sanctum sanctorum
itself. The icon of the Prime Deity, enfolded on both sides by his Spouses,
displays Kamalaavalli or Kulandaivalli blissfully seated in His chest.
Vedhacharan
and Kumudavalli were childless. They bathed in the river here and undertook
penance. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Vishnu blessed them with a daughter.
The daughter, Kamalavathi, turned out to be no ordinary girl. She desired to
marry the Lord himself and to this end, she relentlessly pursued the Lord
offering daily prayers. Moved by her sincerity, the Lord appeared before her
and asked for her wishes. Delighted at having darshan of the Lord, she said
that her mind had not changed and HE was the one that she wanted. Granting her
wishes, he accepted her and took her in his chest.
It
is believed that Lord Vishnu came on his Garuda Vaahanam to defeat Asura
Asmachaaran. Having defeated the asura, Vishnu is said to have performed his
victory dance standing on the asura’s body. The Devas who watched this 'dancing
victory' of Lord Vishnu wanted him to provide darshan here as ‘Maaya’
‘Koothan’. Since Garuda was instrumental in bringing the Lord to this place, he
was accorded a special status at this temple and is seen as a Utsavar.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Srinivasa Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Alamelumangai Thaayar, Sri Kulandhai Valli |
|
Theertham |
Perungkulam Theertham |
Lord grants all the
wishes of devotees.
The Garuda Sevai
utsavam(festival) in the month of Vaikasi(May-Jun) witnesses 9 Garudasevai, a
spectacular event in which festival image idols from the Nava Tirupathis
shrines in the area are brought on Garuda vahana(sacred
vehicle). An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on an Anna
Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each
of these 9 temples are recited. The utsavar(festival
deity) of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9
temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The paasurams(poems)
dedicated to each of the 9 Divyadesams are
chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals
in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.
HOW
TO REACH:
Perunkulam
is 6 km from Tirupuliankudi on the same road. Bus facility is available from
Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur. Hiring a cab will be more convenient. The place is
42 km from Tirunelveli.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Venkatavaanan
(Srinivasan) Tirukkoil,
Perungulam,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu - 628752.
LOCATION:
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