Navatirupati 9 - Thirukurugoor, Azhwarthirunagari
108 Divya Desams - Thoothukudi
God
Aadhinada Perumal, facing east
Goddess
Aadhinadavalli, facing east
Other Deities
Garudan, Kurugoorvalli, Ponnirai Perumal, Venugopala, Gnanapiran, Paramapada Nadhar, Chakrathazhwar, Varaprasada Anjaneya, Narasimha, Thiruvenkatamudayar, Nammazhwar, Nadhamuni, Azhwars
Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari is the ninth of the Nava Tirupati Temples to be seen in one day. The Navatirupati temples represent the nine planets and Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari is that of Vyazhan (Guru – Jupiter). Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari has three Prakarams. The outermost is the path around the compound wall. The inner Prakaram is entered through a Rajagopuram in the east with 5 tiers. There is a long mandapam before this. Following the gopuram is a long corridor mandapam that leads out to the outer Prakaram. There is a shrine of Lord Krishna in the north side. In the northeast corner is a four-pillared mandapam. The south and north sides of the corridor mandapam have the Kannadi (glass) Mandapam and Godown Mandapam on the south and north side respectively. On the western side of the prakaram are the Vasantha Mandapam and the Nandavanam (garden). The inner prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered smaller gopuram. As we circumambulate, in the south side are the shrines of Venugopala, Gnanapiran, Ramar, and the Pagal Pathu Mandapam. Adjoining this is on the western side is the shrine of Goddess Aadhinayaki and a row of cloistered mandapams. The Raa Pathu Mandapam is on the northwest side. On the northern side are the Sthala Vriksham (Puli – Tamarind Tree) with a Puli Mandapam and the shrine of Nammazhwar. This tamarind tree is an ancient one and blooms profusely, but does not yield fruit. This is the tree under which the famous vaishnavite saint Nammazhwar is believed to have lived under for 15 years and emerged as a great saint. This is followed by the shrines of Nadamuni, Pallakku mandapam, Yagasalai, Azhwars, Thiruvenkadamudayan. The sanctum sanctorum is entered through the Sobhana Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, and the Ardha Mandapam. The Lord is in a standing posture.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Tamiraparani River, Brahma Theertham
Vimaanam – Govinda Vimaanam
Holy tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Puli (Tamarind -Tamarindus indica)
History
Nammazhwar (8th Century CE) has sung the praises of this Lord. Manavala Mamunigal (14th-15th Century CE) has also sung hymns for the lord here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari. The earliest inscription found here is from 1215 CE. Many of the inscriptions belong to Maravarman Sundara Pandian (regnal years 1216 – 1238 CE). Most of them mention the gifts of land. One dating back to 1253 CE mentions the dedication of a shrine for Varaha Narayanar and another one of 1272 CE record the donation of land to feed the people in Aruladasa Matha founded by Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandya I (regnal years 1268 – 1301 CE).
Legend
The feet of the Lord are believed to be under the ground here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari. Lord Brahma worshiped the Lord here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari to get him as his Guru (teacher) and thus the name Thiru Guru Oor came about and is now known as Thirukurugoor. The Lord is believed to have given darshan to sages in the form of his Varaha Avatar here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari. A low caste devotee called Dattan was considered in par to the Azhwars by the Lord and given salvation here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari. Goddess Mahalakshmi is believed to have worshiped the Lord here and attained the position in his heart.
A child called Sadagopan born here was brought to the temple after having not opened his eyes, cried, and eaten food after birth. He crawled into the bole in the Tamarind Tree here at Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari and lived on in the same way for 16 years. Madurakavi Azhwar who was touring in north India was guided here by a diving light and understood that the child had some great qualities and asked him some questions. It was then that the child came out as the great saint Nammazhwar. You can read about these great saints in our articles section – http://milliongods.com/azhwars/
Another legend has it that Sage Durvasa, known for his fiery temperament went to see Lord Rama in his abode. Rama had told Lakshmana to stand guard and not allow anyone in. Knowing the sage’s anger Lakshmana allowed him in. Lord Rama after respectfully receiving and sending off the Sage told Lakshmana that he be transformed into a tree for his disobedience. Lakshmana upon telling that he cannot bear to be separated from Lord Rama was told that he himself would also be born as a child who will come and live under the tree for 16 years. This is an atonement for the sin of subjecting Sita to hardship. The child Nammazhwar is considered the embodiment of Lord Rama and the Tamarind Tree is considered as Lakshmana.
Directions
Thirukurugoor Azhwarthirunagari is about 28 kilometers southeast of Tirunelveli on the Tiruchendur Road.
Stay and Food
None locally. Closest for stay and food is Tirunelveli.
