Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam

These are nine Vishnu temples on either side of Tamaraibarani river off the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur state highway. Nammazhvar is the only Azhvaar to have sung at the Nava Tirupathi temples

One can start the Nava Tirupathi trip from SriVaikuntam and end with Azhvaar Tirunagari. From SriVaikuntam, one can take an auto/taxi to go around the other eight temples. This will cost around Rs 350-400 and will take about five hours.

SriVaikuntam(http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/05/srivaikuntam-vaikunta-nathan-divya.html)

SriVaikuntam is about 30 kms from Tirunelveli on the Tiruchendur road. The story goes that the Lord, disguised as a thief, presented himself before the King to save the (real) thief.

Hence, the Lord here is also known as KallarPiran (Kalla meaning thief). In Vishnu temples, Adisesh, the Serpent God unfurls his hood over Vishnu in a reclining posture. A unique feature of the Lord here is that Adisesh has his hood above the Lord in standing posture, one of its kind in the 108 Divya Desams.

Another feature of the temple is that the sun’s rays falls directly on Lord Vaikuntanathan on two days (April-May and October-November period) every year.

It is believed that this temple was used as a fort in the fight between the legendary freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the British in the 1800s. Buses ply every 10 minutes on this route from Tirunelveli’s new bus stand.

Contact Ramesh Bhattar@ 99940 12629, Srinivasa Bhattar@ 96595 83891 or A K Vaikunta Natha Bhattar @ 98656 28681

Thiruvaraguna Mangai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/08/varagunamangai-divya-desam.html)


Thiruvaraguna Mangai temple is about two kms east of Sri Vaikuntam and is known to many as the Vishnu temple at Natham.

True to his name, Lord Vijayaasanar is seen to be sitting majestically like a victorious king on the throne. It is believed that a visit to this temple will help one attain moksha. This place is said to be a Chandran Kshetram.
Contact Narasimha Bhattar/ Rajagopalan Bhattar @ 04630 256476/ 94864 92279

Thirupulingudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/08/thirupulingudi-kaisini-venthar.html)


One km east of Natham is the Lord KaasinaVenthar temple at Thirupulingkudi. The east-facing Lord is seen in a reclining posture with a lotus stalk from his navel terminating in a flower on Brahma’s image on the wall of the sanctum.The story goes that Vishnu, along with Goddess Sridevi, came down to visit this place. Angered at being ignored for the trip,Goddess Bhoodevi hid herself in the netherworld. After Vishnu pacified her, it is believed that the two goddesses came back together and gave darshan here with the Lord. An interesting feature of the temple is that Vishnu’s feet can be viewed through a small window in the passage.

Contact Gopalakrishnan Bhattar at 04630 256116/93666 18185

Erettai Tirupathi (http://www.prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/09/erettai-tirupathi.html)



Irettai Tirupathi or twin temples that lie within a 100 yards of each other in the middle of a jungle. The first of the two temples has Lord Devapiran in a standing posture facing east.

Sage Suprabhar who performed a yagna at this place relieved a man and a woman from Kubera’s curse, which had turned them into a measuring scale (tulai) and a bow (villi). Hence this place is called Tulai Villi Mangalam.

At the second temple, one finds Lord Aravindalochanar in a seated posture facing east. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu was impressed with Sage Suprabhar’s daily lotus pooja and gave darshan to the sage on the northern banks of Tamaraibarani. Hence, it is believed that one who does special ‘Lotus Flower’ pooja at this temple will be relieved of all sins.
Contact: Seshamani Bhattar@04630 256372/ Balaji Bhattar @ 90472 17914

Maayakoothan temple



The Maayakoothan temple at Thirukulanthai is about 10 kms east of SriVaikuntam. Legend has it that Vishnu went on his Garuda Vaahan to rescue Goddess Lakshmi from an Asura. Hence, one finds Garuda as the Utsav deity here.

In the battle that ensued, Vishnu is said to have performed his victory dance standing on Asura’s body and hence the name ‘MaayaKoothan’.
Contact Venkatesha Bhattar @ 94436 19222 or Muthukrishnan Bhattar@ 99940 98664

ThenThiruperai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/09/then-thiruperai.html)

On the South bank of Tamaraibarani, one finds the big Nigaril Mugilvannan temple at ThenThiruperai, where the Lord is seen in a seated posture facing east. Legend has it that Goddess Bhoodevi found two fish-shaped ear rings while performing a penance to relieve herself of Sage Durvasa’s curse and offered it to the Lord.

Another story is that Varuna (the rain god) performed a penance here to be relieved of his curse. 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) and worships Vishnu.

Contact Anantha Padmanabha Bhattar @ 04639 273902 /99760 10911/93605 53489/

Thiru Kolur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/09/thiru-kolur-vaitha-maa-nidhi-perumal.html)

Three-km south west of Then Thiruperai is the Vaitha Maa Nidhi temple at Thiru Kolur, where the Lord is in a reclining posture facing east. This is the birth place of MaduraKaviAzhvaar, the ardent devotee of Nammazhvaar. Legend has it that Kubera attained salvation from Goddess Parvati’s curse at this place and it was here that his Nava Nidhis were restored. It is said that a visit to this temple will help one recover lost wealth.

Contact Srinivasa Bhattar at 04639 273806 or 99429 31701

Azhvaar Tirunagari (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/09/azhvaar-tirunagari-aathinaathan-temple.html)


The last halt at the Nava Tirupathi temples is the AadiNaathan temple. Lord Nambi of Thirukkurungkudi is believed to have been born here as Nammazhvaar. When born, Nammazhvaar is said to have not opened his eyes or cried.

He resided under a tamarind tree within the temple for 16 years till he met Madurakavi (who was to later become his disciple) who posed some interesting questions about life. So impressed was MaduraKavi (Azhvaar) with Nammazhvaar’s answers, that he said, “I do not need God, Nammazhvaar is enough”.

An important festival at this temple is the Vaikasi Utsav, when the deities from all the Nava Tirupathi temples congregate here to listen to the Paasurams with Nammazhvaar seated on the Hamsa Vaahan.

This is one of the three Divya Desams in TN where Araiyar Sevai, the visual song and dance enactment of the Paasurams is still being performed. Most of the inscriptions here date back to 1000 years.

Contact Appu Sadagopachari 04639 273984/ Thiruvengadam Bhattar @ 04639 272079


At the end of Nava Tirupathi temples, one can come back to Tirunelveli.

From Tirunelveli, one can then visit Vaanamaamalai and Thirukurungkudi and end the Divya Desam trip with Srivilliputhur.

Vaanamaamalai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/04/vanamamalai-thothadri-nathan-nanguneri.html

Situated about 30 km south of Tirunelveli, off the Nagercoil NH7, is the Lord Vaanamaalai Thothadri Nathar temple.

A speciality of this Divya Desam is that an oil pooja is performed daily for the main deity and this oil is deposited in the 25 feet open well within the temple. The oil is said to have medicinal values and is believed to cure both internal and external illness, including ulcer and skin diseases.

Contact Nambi Srinivasa Bhattar 04365 250119

Thirukurungudi (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/06/thirukurungkudi-divya-desam.html)




Known as the South Badri, Azhagiya Nambi temple at Thirukkurungkudi is about 15 km from Nanguneri. While the Lord lectures Ramanuja at (North) Badri, the Lord here took the role of a disciple and obtained Vaishnava initiation from Ramanuja.

Chola, Pandya and Naayak Kings are said to have played a significant role in the construction of this temple. Culverts show that this temple is at least 700-years-old. Eight kms from here is the Thirumalai Nambi temple, from where Lord Hanuman is said to have taken the leap to Lanka.

The Araiyar Sevai originated from Thirukkurungkudi. Legend has it that the Lord used to listen to Araiyar’s Abhinaya hiding behind a wall.Thirukkurungkudi is said to be the home to the Vaishnava tradition of Kaisika Ekadesi.
Contact: Murali Bhattar@ 94432 05739

Located 90 kms from Tirunelveli, Srivilliputhur is the birthplace of two Azhvaars and a father-daughter at that, Peri-Azhvaar and Andal. The temple dates back to 1st century AD.

Srivilliputhur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/02/108-divya-desam-srivilliputhur-aandal.html)

The 196-ft high temple tower is second only to Srirangam’s Rajagopuram.A tradition followed to this day at this temple is that Lord Vadapatrasayi adorns every morning the garland worn the previous evening by Andal.

Andal’s Thiruppavai is one of the most beautifully composed songs among the 4000 Paasurams. It is believed that singing these 30 verses will bring peace and prosperity as well as god’s grace. A big attraction at the temple is the Araiyar Sevai during Margazhi.

Contact Bala Mukunda Araiyar @ 94438 67345/ Srinivasan Mapillai Bhattar @ 94425 47533

At each of these nava tirupathi temples, one can find a display board with temple timings and route map to reach the other Divya Desams in this region.

While at Tirunelveli, do not miss:
Iruttu Kadai Halwa (Dark Shop Halwa) opposite Nellaiappar temple is one of the best halwa you can taste in Tamil Nadu.

The famous Courtallam (Spa of the South) waterfalls, with medicinal powers, is just over an hour’s drive from Tirunelveli.

Sea Shore Lord Subramanya Temple at Tiruchendur

Tirunelveli is famous for late night road side eateries offering hot idlies and dosas.

Hotels to stay in Tirunelveli

Janakiram-0462 2331522
Bharani-0462 2333234
Aryaas-0462 2501651

Car Contact for Nava Tirupathi trip
Ganesh Cabs - 94436 71632
Sundar Cabs @ 9952755336
For auto to Nava Tirupathi temples contact:  9442370844 / 94435 27620