Navatirupati-7, Thenthiruperai
108 Divya Desams - Thoothukudi
God
Magaranedunkuzhaikadhar, facing east
Goddess
Kuzhaikadhavalli Thaayar, Thiruperai Nachiyar
Other Deities
Garudan, Azhwars, Vishwaksenar, Ramanujar, Manavala Mamuni
Thenthiruperai is the sixth of the Nava Tirupati Temples to be seen in one day. The Navatirupati temples represent the nine planets and Thirukulandhai is that of Sukhran (Venus). Thenthiruperai is a large east-facing temple. A long mandapam is in front of the entrance. The entrance leads through a gateway to the Outer Prakaram where another long mandapam leads to the inner Prakaram. The outer Prakaram has trees, flowering plants, and a Mandapam on the north side. The inner prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered Gopuram followed by a mandapam. This prakaram houses the shrines of Goddess Kuzhaikadhavalli Thaayar in the southeast corner and that of Thiruperai Nachiyar in the northwest corner. The innermost Prakaram houses the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Lord and has a circumambulatory path around. The Tamiraparani River flows on the north side of the temple.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Sukhra Pushkarini, Sanga Theertham
Vimaanam – Badhra Vimaanam
History
Nammazhwar (8th Century CE) has visited and sung praises of this Lord. Inscriptions have been found here relating to contributions by various Kings.
Legend
Mahalakshmi envied the closeness of Bhoodevi to Lord Mahavishnu and sought the advice of Sage Durvasa. He went personally to speak to the Lord. Bhoodevi did not acknowledge and respect the sage incurring his wrath. He cursed her to be in the same present position as Mahalakshmi. She then fell at his feet in apology. The Sage then told her to bathe in the Tamiraparani River on the auspicious day of Panguni Uthiram (It is on the full moon day in the month of Panguni (March-April) when the moon transits the asterism of the star Uthiram) when she will get two fish-shaped gold ear ornaments. This is to be given to the Lord for wearing and the curse shall pass. Bhoodevi did so and gave the ornaments to the Lord. The devas showered flowers and requested him to bear the name of Magaranedunkuzhaikadhar which the lord accepted.
The curse of Varuna (the god of rain) was removed by the Lord here and hence the King of Vidharba (in present-day Maharashtra) came here to worship to get relief from the severe drought afflicting his country. The Lord blessed him and he went back to see his country flourishing with good rains.
Directions
Thenthiruperai is 5.5 kilometers east of Azhwarthirunagari. The next temple Thirukolur is off this road in between Azhwarthirunagari and Thenthiruperai.
Stay and Food
None locally. The closest for stay and food is Tirunelveli.
