Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple

Overview

The Sri Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple in Tirunelveli is dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu. Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple is one of the Nava Tirupathi, nine Hindu temples devoted to Lord Srinivasa an incarnation of Vishnu. All these 9 temples are delegated Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu venerated by the 12 writer holy people, or Alwars. It is alluded to as Sukra sthalam, an area for the planet divinity, Sukra.

About the Temple

The managing divinity is Makara Nedunkuzhaikkaadan perumal in a sitting stance with left leg collapsed. Brighu muni and Markandeyar are likewise present in the sannadhi. The utsavar is known as Nigaril Mugil vannan perumal. There are seperate sannadhis to both the thayars - Kuzhaikkaaduvalli thayar and Tirupperai nachiyar. The temple speaks to Shukran sthalam among the Nava graha kshetrams. The temple is the seventh among the Nava thirupathis. It goes under the Panidya naatu divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas. The Garuda Sevai utsavam(festival) in the month of Vaikasi(May-Jun) witnesses 9 Garudasevai, a breathtaking occasion in which celebration picture icons from the Nava Tirupathis holy places in the territory are brought on Garuda vahana (hallowed vehicle). An icon of Nammalvar is additionally brought here on an Anna Vahanam(palaquin) and his paasurams(verses) committed to each of these 9 temples are recounted. The utsavar (celebration Lord) of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the region. The paasurams (lyrics) committed to each of the 9 Divyadesams are droned in the separate places of worship. This is the most essential of the celebrations around there, and it draws a large number of guests. The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Magara NedungKuzhai Kaathar Perumal, additionally called Nigaril Mughil Vannan in sitting stance confronting East. The two thaayars – Kuzhaikkaadhu Valli, and Thirupperai Naachiyaar are in independent holy places. Prathyaksham for Sukrachariyaar, Sukran, Rudhran (Lord Shiva) and Lord Brahma.

About the Deity

The main divinity is Makara Nedunkuzhaikkaadan perumal in a sitting stance with left leg collapsed. Brighu muni and Markandeyar are likewise present in the sannadhi. The utsavar is known as Nigaril Mugil vannan perumal. There are seperate sannadhis to both the thayars - Kuzhaikkaaduvalli thayar and Tirupperai nachiyar.

Legend and Stories

The intriguing legend of this temple speaks the truth the quarrel in the middle of Bhudevi and Sridevi, the two Spouses of Lord Vishnu. Once, the Lord charmed by Bhudevi, invested all His energy with Her, leaving Sridevi. The trouble stricken Sridevi mourned about Her forlorn condition to the Sage Dhurvasa and asked for him to concede Her the magnificence and appearance of Bhudevi. The sage went to the living arrangement of Bhudevi, who in Her loving mind-set did not want to get him. The chafed sage reviled Her to get the picture of Sridevi. Bhudevi, understanding Her confuse requested cure. According to the savvy's counsel, Bhudevi expecting the name 'Sriperai' signifying 'the group of Lakshmi' did Her tapas, droning the Ashtakshara mantra. On a full moon day in the month of Panguni, when She was doing Her oblations after the shower, She discovered a couple of fish-formed ear-decorations and offered them to the Lord who uncovered Himself. The Lord, then, procured the name 'Makaranetun kuzhaikkaadar' and chose to stay over yonder at the solicitation of Bhudevi. Since, Bhudevi or Sriperai led Her tapas in this spot, it came to be known as 'Thirupperai'. As there is another divya kshetram 'Thirupernagar' close Trichy, this city was named 'Thenthirupperai'.

Another legend concerns Varuna, the Lord of Rains. Once, in a war between the devas and asuras, he lost his weapon and surrendered to his master, Bruhaspathi to whom he had demonstrated lack of regard before. He pardoned him and prompted him to revere Makarabhushanar and Sriperai at Thirupperai and along these lines be eased of the wrongdoing. The Lord favored him with a modest bunch of water, which emerged as his weapon.

A later day story substantiates this legend that by a thorough prayer to this Lord, extreme starvation and lack of water could be reduced. When, the King of Vidarba nation took after this measure at the exhortation of his minister, when his nation was languishing in intense water lack over 12 years. The dull mists swarmed, downpours poured and put a conclusion to the hopelessness of starvation. The Lord was euphorically called as 'Nikaril Mukilvannan' signifying 'exceptional Lord of dark mists'. Sukran (Venus), the planet in control of water likewise venerated this Lord, as Varuna, the Lord of Rains did and was honored by Makarabhushanar. As a sign of this, it is trusted that Varuna, visits this temple, consistently, on the full moon day in the month of Panguni and adores Vishnu.

Rare Facts

Consistently an a symbol of Nammalvar is brought here on an Anna Vahanam(palaquin) and his paasurams(verses) devoted to each of the Nava Tirupati temples are discussed.

Significance

Devotees going by this temple is said to have the same advantage of going by a Navagraha Sukra Sthalam.
For general prosperity of individuals conceived under Bharani, Purvaphalguni/Pooram/Puram, Purva Ashada/Pooradam/Purattam.

FESTIVAL OF ARULMIGU MAKARA NEDUNKUZHAIKKAADAR TEMPLE

Panguni Brahmotsavam - 10 Days
Margazhi Utsavam - 21 Days
Thai (Kanu Urchavam) - 4 Days
Vaikunta Ekaadasi

Prasad & Offering

Devotees pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of planets faced by them. Devotees perform thirumanjanam for the Lord and don him with new clothes.

POOJA DETAILS OF ARULMIGU MAKARA NEDUNKUZHAIKKAADAR TEMPLE

S.no	Pooja Name	Timing
1.	Kaala Shanthi Pooja:	08.30 AM To 08.30 AM
2.	Uchchi Kaala Pooja:	11.30 AM To 11.30 AM
3.	Sayaratchi Pooja:	06.00 PM To 06.30 PM
4.	Aravanai Pooja:	08.00 PM To 08.30 PM

Nearby Temples

Aayirathu Enn Vinayaka
Vaithamanidhi Perumal
Kalugasalamoorthy
Mutharamman
Venkatavaanan
Bhoomipalar

Accessibility

Thenthiruperai can be reached by bus from Tiruchandur and Tirunelveli. Yet, a cab will be convenient. The place is 4 km from Azhwar Thirunagari. It is 39 km from Tirunelveli. The closest railway stations are in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur, and the closest airport is in Thiruvananthapuram and next closest, in Madurai.

Address

Arulmigu Makara nedunkuzhaikkaadar Tirukkoil,
Thenthirupperai – 628 623,
Thoothukkudi District.