Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Vittalapuram Panduranga perumal koil

Dakshina Pandaripuram
500 year old Vijayanagara period temple 

Located 15kms east of Tirunelveli in a remote village near Seydunganallur off the Tiruchendur Highway is the 500 year old Panduranga Vittaleswarar Perumal Koil in Vittalapuram. This is one of the two ancient Panduranga temples in India and is referred to as Dakshina Pandaripuram. 

With his handsome looks and ‘hands on hips’ posture, Panduranga, seen here with Rukmini and Satyabhama, steals the heart of every devotee who visits this temple. 

The story goes that Lord Panduranga of Pandaripuram (Maharashtra) appeared in the dreams of Vittalaraya, the Vijayanagara Chieftain who had camped near Tirunelveli on his way to a battle against the Travancore King and expressed His desire to provide darshan in the South of India as well.

As per the instructions, Vittalaraya came to this village and found the Pandaripuram idol buried on the banks of the Porunai (Tamaraibarani) River. He installed the Panduranga idol and built this temple, a few kms west of the river, and named the village as Vittalapuram (previously called Nattarkulam).

Victory without a battle

Having obtained the blessings of Lord Panduranga, Vittalaraya continued on his campaign with his huge army and reached Suchindrum, near Kanniyakumari. In a sudden turn of events and much to his delight, the Travancore ruler agreed for a favourable settlement without entering the battle field. Happy at this quick and positive end to his campaign, and as a thanking gesture, Vittalaraya returned to the Panduranga temple in Vittalapuram. Camping here, he put in place a process and the finances for a daily six time pooja as well as the conduct of festivals round the year.

Prarthana Sthalam
It is believed that Lord Panduranga immediately fulfils the wishes of devotees who visit this temple and offer their prayers with sincerity.

Inscriptions
Though one does not find exquisite sculptures here like the ones inside Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple (another Vijayanagara period – renovated- temple) located 2kms from here, there are several inscriptions relating to contributions made as well as festivities undertaken during different periods of time.

Kumbabhishekam
A temple that for centuries witnessed grand celebrations including 10 day Utsavams and processions on different Vahanams now wears a rather deserted look. With a major contribution coming in from the Sringeri Mutt and support from local people, the Kumbabhishekam was held in July this year. 

Insufficient Funds
However, much remains to be done to get the temple back to its glory days. There is still renovation work to be completed including construction of compound walls. Currently, the temple does not have a permanent Bhattar. With financial support from 3-4 families here, 2 Kala pooja is being done and that with the help of a (temporary) Bhattar who comes from the nearby Alukudi Village. Only Vaikunta Ekadesi, Thiru Karthigai and Margazhi Utsavams are being celebrated. There are not sufficient funds to even purchase flowers for the Lord. 

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Vittaleswarar Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
Utsavar : Panduranga
Thaayar : Rukmini and Satyabhama (Separate Sannidhis)
Temple Time: 7am-12noon and 5pm-8pm
Contact : Trustees (2009) 04630 263157/ 9442163590

How to reach Vittalapuram

Buses every half hour between Tirunelveli and Vittalapuram temple ( Route Nos. 11A, 23B and 3G)

One can also take the Tiruchendur bound express bus and get down at Seydunganallur and reach the temple (3kms North) in an auto (Rs.30/-)

The other option is to take the Tuticorin bound bus and get down at Vasavapuram and reach the temple (3kms South) in an auto (Rs.30/-)

Monday, November 16, 2009

Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram

The full form of the Huge Sleeping Lord has to be seen from three different openings
'Fortunate is one who has the opportunity to have darshan of the Sleeping Lord at Thiru Anantha Puram'- NamAzhvaar in his Thiruvoimozhi Praise


பேசுமின் கூச்சம் இன்றி, பெரிய நீர் வேலை சூழ்ந்து
வாசமே கமழும் சோலை வயல் அணி அனந்தபுரம்
நேசம் செய்து உரைகின்ரானை நெறிமையால் மலர்கள் தூவி
பூசனை செய்கின்றார்கள் புன்னையும் செய்தவாறே
 
Located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) half a km from the railway station is the 5000 year old Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Divya Desam, where the gigantic Lord Anantha Padmanabhan is seen in a Bhujanga Sayana Kolam.

There is reference in Bhagavatha Puranam of the visit to Syaananthapuram (Thiruvananthapuram) of Balarama and his stay here.

The Story
Wanting a darshan of Lord Vishnu, a Tulu Sage from Mangalore undertook penance. Pleased with his prayers, the Lord appeared before him as a small handsome child. Impressed with the child, the sage requested the child to stay with him.

Agreeing to the condition that the sage would not get angry on any count, the child lived along with the Sage. One day, while the sage was performing his pooja, the child picked up the sacred saligrama stone and began to play with it.

Angered at this gesture of the child, the sage lost his cool prompting the child to leave the place. The sage finally located the child under a tree near the Arabian Sea.

To his delight, the Lord appeared before the sage not as a child but in a gigantic form that did not stop growing. Unable to see the full form of the Lord, the sage requested to provide darshan in a form that he can see.

Lord to be seen through 3 different openings

Giving the huge size of the Sleeping Anantha Padmanabhaswamy, one is able to have the full darshan of the Lord from three different openings- Head from the Southern side, the body from another opening and the leg from a third entrance.

Please with the dedication of the Tulu sage, Anantha Padmanabhaswamy wanted the Tulu Brahmins to perform the pooja at this temple.

Another story goes that a Namboodari Brahmin, who found himself without an offering to the Lord, picked up a few mangoes from the tree and offered them to the Lord on a coconut shell. In memory of this event, the Lord is today offered mangoes on a golden coconut shell.

While the pooja service is performed by the Tulu Brahmins, the administration of the temple is by the Namboodaries.

Ramanuja's Visit and Absence of Garuda
Ramanuja made trips to Divya Desams such as Thiruvattaru and ThiruvanParisaram. From Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Garuda carried him fast that same night back to Thirukurungkudi. And to Ramanuja’s surprise, he was on top of the Thirukurungudi rock at the blink of an eye.

As a result of this event, it is believed that one does not find Garuda in the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple.

Temple Construction

It is said that Cheraman Nayanar laid the foundation for this temple. After the poojas had stopped in the 17th Century AD and a subsequent fire at the temple led to the destruction of all the idols except the moolavar idol, Raja Marthanda Varma is credited with the complete renovation of the temple in the 18th Century AD. He used 12000 Sacred Saligrama Stones to reinstall a new Moolavar deity.

NamAzhvaar’s Thiruvoimozhi Praise
In his Thiruvoimozhi verses, NamAzhvaar refers to the sleeping posture atop the Serpant Lord. He also makes a mention of this place ( Thiru Anantha Puram)  in every verse. The moment one visits the Lord who resides on Adisesha at Thiru Anantha Puram, all our problems will vanish. He goes on to praise him  saying that even Lord Yama will stay away from us.


 கெடும் இடர் ஆய் எல்லாம், கேசவா, என்ன நாளும்
கொடுவினை செய்யும் கூற்றின்
தமர்களும் குறுககில்லார்
விடம் உடை அரவில் பள்ளி விரும்பினான்
சுரும்பு அலற்றும், தடம் உடை வயல் 
அனந்தபுரநகர் புகுத்தும் இன்றே


Quick Facts

Moolavar : Anantha Padmanabhaswamy, East Facing Bhujanga Sayana Kolam
Thaayar   : Hari Lakshmi
Time        : 4am-1230pm and 5pm-730pm
Contact    : 0471 2450233
Azhvaar   : NamAzhvaar (Thiruvoimozhi 11 Paasurams)

How to reach
There are several express trains and buses from across the country to Thiruvananthapuram.

The temple is half a kilometre from the Trivandrum Central Railway Station.

One can reach the temple from the State bus stand  by auto(Rs.20/-)

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Mannar Koil Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Kulasekara Azhvaar spent the last 30 years of his life at Mannar Koil and attained Moksham here
One sees several inscriptions in this historical temple dating back to the Chozha Period
Located 40kms West of Tirunelveli near Ambasamudram on the banks of two rivers, Tamaraibarani and Karuna River, is the huge 1000 year old three tiered Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Perumal Koil in Mannar Koil. This temple is named after Kulasekara Azhvaar who spent the last years of his life performing service directed at the Lord here.

Rajendra Vinnagaram
This place is also referred to as Veda Puri (after Veda Narayana Perumal) and Rajendra Vinnagaram(the great Chozha king who built/renovated this temple).
Big Efforts of Narasimha Gopalan Acharya
Thanks to the single handed effort of Shri.Narasimha Gopalan Acharya, who belongs to the Periya Nambi ancestry, a once dilapidated temple is now seeing truly significant renovation worth a lot of commendation. A notable aspect of this is that there has thus far been very minimal support from HR& CE for this initiative. Another point of sadness is the paltry Rs.245 paid to the Bhattar as the monthly salary at this temple.

For those who have commited their entire lives to the service of the Lord, this kind of meagre double and triple digit income is making it very difficult to sustain a reasonable life for the Bhattars of Perumal Koils in Tamil Nadu.
However, Shri. Narasimha Gopalan is not one to be undone by lack of support. His determination to seed and grow the Shenbagam flowers, which is said to be one of Lord Vishnu’s eight favourite flowers, has borne significant results in the last 3-4 years with the Northern side of the temple now full of Shenbagam trees. The fact that the number of Shenbagam flowers that one sees here cannot be seen in any other Divya Desam is testimony to the passionate service provided by Shri. Narasimha Gopalan.

In his praise of Lord Vishnu in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, Kulasekara Azhvaar refers only to Shenbagam flowers and hence this flower is said to be very sacred.

Garuda alongside Utsava Deity - A Speciality
Seen along side the utsava deity of Rajagopalan is Garuda, a feature found at the Srivilliputhur Divya Desam.

Kulasekara Azhvaar
Kulasekara Azhvaar who was born in Thiruvanjikalam went on to become a Chera King. During his early years, he defeated Chozha and Pandya kings and was a dominant force.

However, his devotion to Lord Vishnu led him to renounce power and to a path singing praise of the Vaishnavite Lord. After trips around several Vishnu temples, Kulasekara Azhvaar finally reached Mannar Koil, where he was taken in by the beauty of Vedanarayanan, in whom he saw the Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Like Srirangam, Mannar Koil too is surrounded by two rivers on either side -Tamarai Barani on the Southern side and Karuna River on the Northern side.
Staying here at Mannar Koil for over 30 years, Kulasekara Azhvaar undertook daily pooja of Lord Rama, who was his abhisheka deity, and finally attained moksham at this place. To this day, one finds the idols of this Abhisheka moorthy at this temple. In recognition of his efforts here at Mannar Koil, this temple has come to be known as Kulasekara Perumal Koil, the only historical Perumal koil to be directly named as an Azhvaar Perumal koil. One also finds the Kulasekara Azhvaar Sannidhi with the Holy Flag Post (Kodi Maram) dedicated to him, a speciality (for Azhvaars) not seen in any other perumal koil.

Incidentally, Vibheeshana, had also been drawn in to Lord Vedanarayanan of Mannar Koil.

கோலார்ந்த நெடுஞ் சார்ங்கம் கூனர்ச் சங்கம்
கொலை யாழி கொடுந்தண்டு கொற்ற ஒள்வாள்

கால் ஆர்ந்த கதிக்கருடன் என்னும் வென்றிக்
கடும்பரவை இவை அனைத்தும் புறஞ் சூழ் காப்ப

சேலார்ந்த நெடுங்கழனி சோலை சூழ்ந்த
திருவரங்கத்து அரவநியிர் பள்ளி கொள்ளும்

மாலோனைக் கண்டு இன்பக்கலவி எய்தி
வல்லினையேன் என்றுகொலோ வாழும் நாளே
- Kulasekara Azhvaar

Historical Inscriptions
One finds several inscriptions relating to significant contributions made by rulers dating back to the Chozha and Chera period.Rajendra Chozha made big contributions to this temple in the 11th century AD, so much so that this place was referred to as Rajendra Vinnagaram. Later, Chera King Rajasimman donated several pieces of land to this temple. Jatavarma Chozha Pandya as well as Nayak kings also made contributions to the Mannar Koil. There are also interesting inscriptions on the floor of the temple right at the entrance.
Avathara Sthalam of Azhagiya Manavala Jeer
This is the birth of Vaadhi Kesari Azhvagiya Manavala Jeer who provided detailed vyakanam(explanation/description) of Divya Prabandham known as ‘Panniraayira Padi’

Kaisika Puranam Event at Mannar Koil
An interesting development and a very positive one for Mannar Koil is that the pre event practice session of Kaisika Puranam for the Thirukurungudi Kaisika Ekadesi event will be held here next Saturday 21st November 2009.
Theppotsavam has been revived at the temple in the last few years and this has attracted devotees from across the state. Theppotsavam will take place on the evening of March 11 ( in 2014)

Quick Facts
Moolavar    : Veda Narayana Perumal East Facing
Utsavar       : Rajagopalaswamy with Garuda
Gooddess     : Vedavalli Thaayar and Bhuvanavalli Thaayar

Azhvaar       : Kulasekara Azhvaar attained Moksham at this place

Temple Time : 7am-1030am and 5pm-7pm
Contact        : PS. Narasimha Gopalan Acharya@ 04634 252874 / 318408

Festival
Chitrai Brahmotsavam
Procession of Azhvaar in Pushpa Pallaku in Thai
Theppotsavam in Maasi

How to reach Mannar Koil
Mannar Koil is about 5kms West of Ambasamudram off the Tenkasi – Courtallam Highway. Ambasamudram is 35kms West of Tirunelveli. Buses every 15mts from Tirunelveli new bus stand to Ambasamudram/Papanasam. One can reach the temple in an hour from Tirunelveli.

Passenger train daily from Tirunelveli to Ambai ( dep Tveli 915am- Nellai connection: Arrival at ambai : 10am and eve 425pm dep from Ambai, 530pm arrival at Tveli- Nellai connection)

Car from Tirunelveli to Mannar Koil and back will cost about Rs.500-600. Auto from Ambasamudram bus stand to Mannar Koil will cost Rs.60/-. One can also reach the temple by local buses / mini bus service

Manimutharu Dam is about 15kms from here. Pechiparai Dam is about 50kms from here towards South
Courtallam falls is 50kms West from Mannar Koil.




Update: Samprokshanam took place on August 23, 2010. The temple now wears a new and clean look.
             Theppotsavam will take place on March 11, 2014

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Srimushnam Bhoo Varahaswamy

This is one of the 8 Swayambu Kshetrams
Lord Narayana brought back Goddess Earth after killing Asura Hiranyaksha and appeared here in Srimushnum

Located 35kms West of Chidambaram in the Kattu Mannar Koil Taluk is the historical Bhoo Varaha Swamy temple in Sri Mushnum. Unlike typical moolavar deities in Vishnu temples, the Lord here is in the form of a small idol signifying the Varaha Avataaram. A visit even once to this temple and sincere prayers to Lord Bhoo Varahaswamy is said to help attain moksham in this lifetime, such is the power of Bhoo Varahar.

Swayambu Kshetram
Srimushnum is one of the 8 Swayambu Kshetrams in India. The others are Srirangam, Tirupathi and Vanamaamalai in South India and Saligramam, Naimisarinyam, Pushkaram and Badri in North India.

Bhoo Varaha Perumal is a Saligrama moorthy and the speciality of the temple is that there is a Thirumanjanam every day for the Lord.

The Story

Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashipu, wanted to be a dominant force. To achieve this, he rolled over the earth and took it into the nether world, from where he ruled.

Bhoo Devi undertook penance seeking help from Lord Narayana to protect her from the Asura. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a boar), went into the sea and killed the asura. He brought back the earth on his Adisesha and appeared here as a Swayambu idol.

Legend has it that he created the Pushkarani with the sweat emanating from his body after his battle with Hiranyaksha.

Lord’s Face turned South
On his death bed, Hiranyaksha prayed to the Lord and as his final wish wanted the Lord to turn to turn in his direction. Hence Bhoo Varahan’s face is seen turned in the direction of the asura towards the South. An interesting feature of the moolavar deity at this temple is that the face, in the form of a boar, is turned towards South, while the body bearing a human shape is facing West in the direction of the devotees

Utsava Deity

Goddess was worried that people may turn away from here because of the Lord’s pig face. Hence, she undertook penance and requested him to display his handsome stature. Answering her prayers, Lord’s Utsava idol features as Yagya Varahaswamy with conch and chakra.

Prarthana Sthalam
This is a Prarthana Sthalam for childless couples. Ladies, who have bath in the Nithya Pushkarani, go around the Arasa tree 12times, offer milk and fruits to small kids and recite the Varaha Kavacham are said to be blessed with Children.

This is also a prarthana sthalam for the unmarried. Lord is also said to help devotees in the purchase of house and car.

Similar to Tirupathi
While in Tirupathi Divya Desam, one first visits Varahar before darshan of Moolavar Srinivasa perumal, here at Srimushnam, one is to visit the Srinivasa Perumal Sannidhi at the Western entrance before a darshan of Bhoo Varahaswamy.

Special Prasadam at this temple
One of the specialities at this temple is the offering of Korai Kazhangu as prasadam to the Lord

Temple Construction

While BhooVarahar is a Swayambu idol, the temple here in Srimushnum is said to have been constructed by Four Nayak kings- Achuthappa, Ananthappa, Govindappa and Kondappa Nayak.

The story goes that Ananthappa Nayak developed severe stomach pain when they camped at Rajendrapatnam, 8kms East of Sri Mushnum. He was relieved of his pains when Lord Vishnu came in his dreams and touched his stomach with his leg.

Delighted at this, he came here and constructed the temple. To this day, one can see the five fingers of the Lord below his left stomach.

Event marking Muslim-Hindu Unity
In Maasi, the Utsava deity goes on a 20 day procession to Killai and other nearby villages near Chidambaram. An interesting feature of this festival is that the Muslims in the area offer prasadams to the Lord Yagya Varaha and they take back the flower of the Lord and offer it to Allah. The Muslim devotees are said to thank Allah for having brought Varaha Swamy to their place.

Srimushnum Bhoo Varaha Swamy is the only temple that brings together such unity between Muslims and Hindus and this event continues to take place to this day.

Festivals
Brahmotsavam in Maasi
Chariot Festival in Chitrai


Quick Facts

Moolavar : Bhoo Varaha Standing Posture
Goddess : Ambujavalli Thaayar(Separate Sanndihi)
Utsavar : Yagya Varaha Swamy

Time : 730am-1230pm and 5pm-9pm

Priest : Rajagopala Bhattar/S.S.Ramanuja Bhattar
Contact : 94423 78303

Address : 41/61 South Car Street, Sri Mushnum 608 703

How to reach

Direct buses from Chennai to Srimushnam

One can take any South bound train from Chennai and get down at Vriddachalam Junction
Several buses from Vriddachalam to Srimushnam via Rajendrapatnam (about 30-45mts)

By car, Srimushnam is about 235kms from Chennai via Tindivanam-Vikravandi-Panruti-Neyveli-Vadalur and Sethiya Thope. One can reach in 4 hours.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Thiru Vithuvakkodu Divya Desam Pattambi

Five Idols temple near Pattambi
Located about 5kms South of Pattambi off the Palghat- Shoranur- Kozhikode rail route is the Uyyavantha Perumal divya desam in Thiru Vithuvakkodu (Thirumittacode in Malayalam), right on the western banks of Baratha Puzha River.

The story
Pandavas in their exile are said to have stayed here and undertaken penance. Arjuna, Dharmaputra, Bheemasena and Nakula/Sahadeva created an idol each for their daily poojas at this temple. The main Moolavar deity was installed by Arjuna.

Yudishtra ( Dharmaraja Installed Idol)

Dharma Raja installed the idol to the right of the main deity as did Nakula and Sahadeva. Bheema installed the idol of Vishnu to the left of Uyyavantha Perumal.

Another story goes that Kasi Viswanathar who was impressed with a rishi’s penance accompanied the rishi to this temple, finding a small place for himself in the umbrella taken by the rishi. On arriving here, the rishi went for a bath at the river. After his bath, he found the umbrella broken and found a swayambu idol of Lord Shiva at this place. Later, a separate temple was built for Shiva. Hence, this place is referred to as the ‘5 idols’ temple.

BHEEMA INSTALLED TEMPLE

Festivals

Janmashtami
Shivarathri
On the Vaikasi Mrigaseesham day- Kalababhishekam

Azhvaar Praise

In his verse, the Kerala born Kulasekara Azhvaar praises the Vithuvakodu Lord thus:

வெங்கண்தின்களிறு அடர்த்தாய் 
விற்றுவகோட்டுஅம்மானே 

எங்குப் போய் உய்கேன்..
உன் இணையடியே அடைய அல்லால் 

எங்கும் போய்க் கரை காணாது 
எறிகடல்வாய் மீண்டு ஏயும் 
வங்கத்தின் கூம்பு ஏறும் மாப் பறவை போன்றேனே - Perumal Thirumozhi

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Uyavantha Perumal South Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar : Vithuvakottu Valli, Padmaasini Thaayar
Azhvaar : Kulasekara Azhvaar-10verses in Perumal Thirumozhi
Time      : 5am-1030am and 5pm-8pm
Contact : Ravichandran and Ramachandran Embranthari @ 98460 92853
Address : Thirumittacode PO, Kootanad Via, Palakkad Dist 679 533

How to reach:
On the Chennai-Palghat-Kozhikode rail route, get down at Pattambi station (about 10kms West of Shoranur Junction).  An auto from Pattambi Railway Station to this Divya Desam (about 7kms) and back will cost Rs.80-100/-.

From Coimbatore, one can reach this place by driving(about 110kms) via Palghat, Ottapalam, Shoranur and Pattambi. Very Good road

One can combine the visit here with Thiru Navai (about 25kms from here)

Thiru Navai Divya Desam

An auspicious place for Pitru Tharpanam
Only Divya Desam in Kerala with a separate Sannidhi for Thaayar

Located just under 40kms West of Shoranur on the Palghat - Kozhikode rail route is the Naavaai Mukundan divya desam in Thiru Naavaai on the Northern Banks of Barathapuzha River. On the other side of the river are temples for Lord Shiva and Brahmma. Hence this is a TriMurthy Sangamam.

The story
Both Goddess Lakshmi and Gajendran wanted to adorn Lord Narayana with Lotus flowers. However, Gajendran could not locate the flowers and undertook prayers here to Narayana, who asked Goddess to stop plucking the Lotus flowers, thus providing an opportunity to Gajendran to adorn the lord with flowers. Goddess Lakshmi is said to have asked the Lord to provide her with an equal status at this temple. Hence, there is a separate sannidhi for the Goddess here, the only Divya Desam in Kerala.

Nava Yogi Kshetram
Nava Yogis undertook penance at this place invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have provided darshan as Mukundan. These nine yogis are said to have installed the idol at this place. Hence, this place was referred to as Thiru ‘Naa’ ‘Vaai’. Locally, this place is called Thiru Navaya.

Pitru Tharpanam
Another story goes that Parasurama performed Tharpanam for his father at this place. This Kshetram is an auspicious place for performing ‘Pitru Tharpanam’ and is believed to have powers equivalent to that of performing Tharpanam in Kasi.

Azhvaar Praise

Thiru Mangai in one of his 2 paasurams refers to Thiru Naavai Lord alongside Thiru Koshtiyur Divya Desam.

கம்ப மா களிறு அஞ்சிக் கலங்க, ஓர்
கொம்பு கொண்ட குறை கழல் கூத்தினை
கொம்பு உலாம் பொழில் கொட்டியுர்க் கண்டு பொய்
நம்பனைச்சென்று காண்டும் நாவாயுலே


In another verse, Thiru Mangai refers to seeing the Thiru Navai Lord at Thiru Naraiyur

தூ வாய புள் ஊர்ந்து வந்து, துறை வேழும்
மூவாமை, நல்கி, முதலை துணித்தானை
தேவாதிதேவனை, செங்கமலக் கண்ணானை
நாவாய் உளானை நறையூரில் கண்டேனே


Quick Facts

Deity      : Navai Mukundan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Malar Mangai Naachiyar
Separate Sannidhi for Goddess: Mahalakshmi

Azhvaar  : Thirumangai-2 and NamAzhvaar- 11
Temple Time : 5am-11am (till 1130am on Sundays) and 5pm-8pm

Priest : Narayana Namboodari @ 0494 2603747 or 93876 34946

Festivals
10 day festival in April (14-23)
Amasavai Tharpanam Sacred here

Accommodation

ThiruNavai temple offers accommodation to devotees at Rs. 100/- for 2 hours
or full day deluxe rooms between Rs.200 and 500 based on the specific needs

Breakfast is available at the temple premises.

How to reach Thiru Navai (Thiru Navaya)

Take Chennai Central-Mangalore Mail and get down at Kuttipuram Station (630am arrival). A local bus from outside the station will take you to the Divya Desam in 20minutes. Auto from Kuttipuram Station to Thiru Navai Divya Desam will cost Rs.100-125/-.

Not many trains stop at Thiru Navaya Railway station. An auto from Navaya station to the Divya Desam (about 2kms) will cost Rs.30-40/-

Thiru Navaya is about 25kms West of Thiru Vithuvakodu Divya Desam (near Pattambi)
and is about 140kms South West of Coimbatore.