Navatirupati-6, Thirukulandhai
108 Divya Desams - Thoothukudi
God
Srinivasan, facing east
Goddess
Alamelumangai Thaayar, Kuzhandhaivalli along with the lord, facing east
Other Deities
Garuda, Vishwaksenar, Azhwars, Ramanujar, Naagar, Manavala Mamuni
Thirukulandhai 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 Sani (Saturn). Thirukulandhai is a large east-facing temple with a 3 tiered Rajagopuram and a Mandapam in front. The Garuda in front of the main deity is seen with his wings spread as if ready to take off. The flowers offered to the lord are adorned to the Garuda idol the next day and then only distributed to devotees. The sanctum sanctorum is situated in a large single covered Prakaram. The Mahamandapam inside has some beautiful pillars. The processional deity here is called Mayakoothar and the temple is There is a small related shrine for Venkatamudayar with Anjaneya outside. A large and beautiful temple tank is further east of the Thirukulandhai Temple. The Tamiraparani River flows south of Thirukulandhai.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Perunkulam lake in the north, Temple Tank
Vimaanam – Ananda Nilaya 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
A brahmin called Vedasaran who lived in Thadagavana near present-day Thirutholaivillimangalam did not have progeny. He sought the Lord’s blessing and was blessed with a girl child. He named her Kamaladevi. The girl grew up, lost her mind in worshiping Lord Vishnu, and was adamant that she will marry only him. She then undertook a penance against the request of her parents and relatives. The Lord appeared and took her as a consort. One day Vedasaran’s wife Kumudhavalli was abducted by an Asura called Asmanaran and concealed in a cave in the Himalayas. Vedasaran fell at the feet of the Lord to retrieve her. The Lord went in his Garuda Mount and brought her back. Asmanaran knowing this came down and there was a big fight between him and Lord Vishnu. Killing Asmanaran the Lord danced upon his lifeless body. The Devas witnessing this dance were mesmerized, performed ablutions to him with the waters of the Ganges River, and called him Mayakoothar (also called Choranattiyan).
Directions
Thirukulandhai is 12 kilometers east of Srivaikuntam after crossing the Thiruvaragunamangai and Thirupuliankudi temples.
Stay and Food
None locally. The closest for stay and food is Tirunelveli.
