DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 9thVishnuSthalam |
Then
Thirupperai / Nava Tirupati / Shukra Kshetram / Perai Kshetram is one of the
108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. 3 kms North
East of Thiru
Kolur off the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur highway is the big Nigaril
Mugilvannan temple at ThenThiruperai, with the Lord seen in a majestic seated
posture facing East.
The
legend has that Goddess Sridevi had a strange feeling that Lord Vishnu was more
attached to Goddess Boodevi because of her stunning appearance. She prayed to
Sage Durvassa to have the same exquisiteness of Boodevi. Later, Sage Durvasa
was paid a visit to Lord Vishnu and found that Goddess Boodevi on his lap. She
forgot to pay any attention and respect to the Sage. Sage Durvassa, who was
well known for his short temper cursed Goodess Boodevi. Goddess Boodevi arrived
on this sacred land and underwent severe austerities praying to Lord to regain
her status. She slipped her hands together on the river Tamraparni to offer
Arghyam to Lord, instantly there appeared striking earrings (Makara Kundalas)
of fish shaped and settled on her hands. She offered those earrings to Lord and
he wore them happily. Thus, the presiding deity has got his name ‘Makar
Nedunkuzhai Kadhan’. Since Bhoodevi had taken the form and colour of Sridevi
(as a result of the curse), this place came to be called SriPerai/ThiruPerai.
Having
been defeated by the Asuras, Varuna (the Rain God) lost his chief weapon - Pasa
Astra (he had earlier insulted his Guru and hence this fate) and undertook
penance here. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared before him on the full moon
day in Panguni and helped him recover his lost weapon as well as his powers. 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) to worship Vishnu.
The
Kingdom of Vidharba was affected by severe drought and famine for several years
due to a curse. King of Vidharba arrived on this sacred land and worshipped
Lord Vishnu and got rid from the curse. Once again the Kingdom flourished with
rich natural resources.
Another
legend has that King Sundara Pandiyan brought 108 Vedic Brahmin who were
settled on the river banks of Cauvery and their families to perform austerities
on this sacred land. While offering alms to the Vedic Brahmins, one was found
missing from the group. King solemnly prayed to Lord to resolve the issue, Lord
himself appeared before the King as a Vedic Brahmin to receive alms.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Magara Nedungkuzhai Kaathar Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kuzhaikaduvalli Nachiyar, Sri Thiruperai
Nachiyar |
|
Theertham |
Sukra Pushkarani, Sangu Theertham |
Devotees pray here for
relief from the adverse aspects of plantes faced by them.
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 a 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 divya desams 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:
Thenthiruperai
can be reached by bus from Tiruchandur and Tirunelveli. Yet, a cab will be
convenient. The place is 4 km from Azhwar Thirunagari. It is 39 km from
Tirunelveli.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Magara Nedunguzhai
Kadhan Perumal Temple,
Thenthirupperai,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu - 628623.
LOCATION:
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