Then Thiruperai Nigaril Mugil Vannan

Nava Tirupathi Sukra Sthalam 
Bhoodevi takes the form and colour of Sridevi

3 kms North East of Thiru Kolur off the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur highway is the Nigaril Mugil Vannan Divya Desam in Then Thiruperai where the Lord is seen in a majestic East facing sitting posture with Garuda seen slightly away so as to allow the Lord to see the kids of this temple town playing.

The story

Goddess Lakshmi was upset that Lord Vishnu was spending more time with Bhoodevi and not with her. She shared this grievance with Sage Durvasa and also wanted the same colour and beauty as Bhoodevi. Durvasa, who then met with Bhoodevi, was angered at her disregarding his presence and cursed her to take the same form and colour as Sridevi.

While undertaking penance at this place on the banks of Tamaraibarani, she found two fish shaped ear rings and offered it to the Lord. The Lord who wore this came to be known as ‘Makara Nedun Kuzhaikathan’. Since Bhoodevi had taken the form and colour of Sridevi (as a result of the curse), this place came to be called Sri Perai/Thiru Perai.

Another Story

Having been defeated by the Asuras, Varuna (the Rain God) lost his chief weapon (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. To mark 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.

Nammazhvaar's Praise of Nigaril Mugil Vannan
NamAzhvaar refers to Then Thiruperai as a place surrounded by mountain like jewel mansions.
where the Lord Makara Nedung Kulai Kaathan is seen wearing Makara Ear Rings. He refers to the Lord as Nigaril Mugil Vannan. He praises the Lord as one who killed 100 Kauravas. Nam Azhvaar says that any one who visits the Lord here and has darshan will immediately be drawn to this Lord for He was the one who stole his own ( Nam Azhvaar's) heart.

நகரமும் நாடும் பிறவும் தேர்வேன்
நான் எனக்கு, இல்லை என் தொழ்மீர்கால்
சிங்கார மணி நெடு மாடம் நீடு
தென் திருபெரையில் வீற்றி இருந்த

மகர நெடுங்குழை காதன், மாயன்
நூற்றுவரை அன்று மங்க நூற்ற
நிகர் இல முகில் வண்ணன், நேமியான், 
என் நெஞ்சம் கவர்ந்து எனை ஊழியானே - Tiruvoimozhi 

Ananthu Bhattar performs pooja in as sincere a way as a devotee can expect.

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan East facing Sitting Posture
Goddess : Kuzhai Kaathu Valli, ThiruPerai Naachiyar (Separate Sannidhis)
Utsavar  : Nigaril Mugil Vannan
Azhvaar : Nam Azhvaar 11 Paasurams

Time      : 730am-12noon and 5pm-830pm
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