29th June 2019
The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar has sung pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence these 9 Vishnu temples are classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with the Vishnu’s ten incarnations and the planets. Alwarthirunagari Temple is associated with Vamana Avathara and the planet is Guru – Brihaspathi ( Jupiter ).
ஒன்றுந்தேவும் உலகும் உயிரும் மற்றும் யாதுமில்லா அன்று,
நான்முகன் தன்னொடு தேவர் உலகோடு உயிர்படைத்தான்
குன்றும் போல் மணிமாடம் நீடு திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள்
நின்ற ஆதிப்பிரான் நிற்க மற்றெத் தெய்வம் நாடுதீரே
( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )
Moolavar : Adinatha Perumal (Adinathan Perumal )
Thayar : Sri Adi Nayaki & Thirukurukur Nachiyar/Nayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and a metacolour sheet mandapam. There is a mandapam after the Rajagopuram with a 4 pillar mandapam at the centre. Dwajasthambam and Balipedam are in the mahamandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapa, a mahamandapam and a muka manadapam. A mahamandapam is after crossing the 2nd level.
In outer prakaram Sri Paramapathanathar, Chakkarathalwar, Thayar Sannadhi, Dhasavathara Sannadhi, Kurugoor Nachiyar, Sthala Viruksham Urangka puli ( a Non sleeping tamarind – leaves will not fold during night ), Nammalwar Sannadhi is with separate Dwajasthambam and a Balipedam, Nadhamuni, Alwars and Garudan.
In the inner prakaram Venugopalan, Gnanabiran, Hanuman, Garudan, Narasimhar with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Thiruvenkatamudaiyan and madappalli.
HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE:
Inscription of the Kumudam mentions this place as Thirukkurugoor in Thiruvazhuthi valanadu. Believed to be built during early Pandya period. Vimana is called as Govinda Vimana.
The sanctum sanctorum was built with Upapeda consists of upana, yazhivari and Kabotham. The adhisthana is built with padmam, Silambu kumudham, kabotham and the walls are supported with beautiful pilasters. The walls and Niches has the Vishnu’s various avathara sculptures. The prastharam is in the form of Kodungai.
LEGEND:
It is believed that Vishnu had done penance in this place and the temple is considered as First temple or the Aadhi Temple. Hence Vishnu is called as Aadhinaathar (Adinathan )
Vishnu preached the manthra to Brahma as a Guru, Hence this place is called as Kurugoor. The Kurugu ( Conch ) attained moksha, hence this place is called as Kurugoor. In another legend Rama asked Lakshmana not to let anybody to disturb him during his penance. But couldn’t stop Saint Durvasa and stood like a tree. Rama got angry and cursed him to born as ( Tamarind ) tree in the next birth and Rama as Nammalwar do penance under the Tamarind tree. Lakshmana was Adhisheshan in one of the birth and this place is called as Shesha Kshetram.
People used to offer prayers on Guru peyarchi day.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs 12.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Thiruvenkada Bhattar may be contacted on his land line 04639 272079 or Arayar Srinivasan 98944 43900 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
Alwarthirunagari is on the way to Thiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Alwarthirunagari.
30 KM from Thiruchendur, 32 KM from Tirunelveli and 190KM from Madurai.
Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 4.6 KM ) and Tirunelveli ( 32 KM ).
A Tamarind tree base adhisthana relief
A Tamarind tree base adhisthana reliefs
A Tamarind tree adhisthana reliefs
A Pandya period inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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