DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 5thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Srivaikuntanathan
Permual Temple or Srivaikuntam temple is one of the Nava Tirupathi., nine Hindu
temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli
route,Tamilnadu,Indiain the banks of Thamiraparani river. All these 9 temples
are classified as Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu reverred by the 12
poet saints, or Alwars.
At
times of yore when chaos erupted in the satyaloga of the four faced Brahma he
was relieved of the four Vedas which were bestowed to him by Lord Narayana as
tools for creating life and humanity. To retrieve his invaluable treasures
Brahma undertook penance at a holy spot situate at the banks of the river
porunai (Thambra parani), pleased by his concentration and stubbornness Lord
Narayana came to his rescue and retrieved the four Vedas from the asura Gomuka
and restored them to Brahma. At the request of Brahma Lord Narayana agreed to
permanently grace his presence in Archaform (as a statue) at the site of
Brahma’s penance and bless the humanity. Brahma concecrated Lord Vaikunta Natha
and performed the first holy shower for the Lord’s statue. Also Brahma
inaugurated the first Chitra Utsav for the Lord.
A
local thief of the village srivaikunta invoked the blessings of Lord
srivaikuntaNatha when he started for his daily nocturnal rounds (to commit
night theft). For the purpose of evading arrest he faithfully offered fifty
percent of his booty to the Lord’s temple. Along with his confederates he
committed theft in the royal palace also. One day when one of his abettors got
apprehended enquiry officers zeroed in for the thief. Lord vaikunta natha in
the guise of the thief appeared before the king for enquiry and to face the
charges. The Lord when accused of the offence sermonised to the king that
philanthrophy, Fire, thief and the king are joint owners of public property and
when the door of philanthrophy is closed thugs get hold to them a head of the
king. So the king hereafter should open the channel of philanthrophy to avoid
such situations. The king realised that it was none other than Lord Vaikunta
Natha disguised as the thief. He prostrated before the Lord and turned a new
leaf in his governance. From then on the Lord was come to be known as
kallarpiran (chora natha in Sanskrit) or the Boss of the thieves.
Srivaikuntam
temple is also called Kailasapuram and has in Nataraja shrine, 8 artistically
carved pillars. The most famous is the Kallapiran, the festival deity and
presiding deity is called Vaikuntanathar. On the 6th day of Tamil month
Chittirai(April), the Sun rays fall on the main deity as a token of worship.
The idol is most exquisitely carved with club in hand. Lions, Yalis and
elephants are carved in the pillars of themandapam. The temple served as a fort
during the patriotic war of Kattabomman with the British. The temple has a
9-tier rajagopuram amidst lush vegetation around the temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Vaikuntanathan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Vaikuntanayaki, Sri Chornathanayaki |
|
Theertham |
Brighu Theertham |
Prayers can be offered
to overcome the impediments in wedlock, to beget issues and for good education.
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. An idol ofNammalvar
is also brought here on a Anna Vahanam(palaquin) and his paasurams(verses)
dedicated to each of these 9 temples are recited. The utsavar of Nammalvaris
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:
Srivaikuntam
is in the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur railway route and the temple is about 3 kms
from the station. It is about 30 kms from Tirunelveli, from where frequent bus
services are available. Adequate bus-services are available from Tirunelveli /
Tiruchendur.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Vaikuntanaathar
Tirukkoil,
Sri Vaikuntam, ,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu – 628 601.
LOCATION:
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