Sri Navaneethakrishnan Temple

Overview

Sri Navaneethakrishnan Temple is a popular Hindu shrine located at Marudur, in the Tirunelvei District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Krishna, an incarnation of lord Vishnu.

About The Temple

The temple is considered quite ancient and is built in the Marudhur village, very close to the Marudhur dam over River Thamirabharani. Thamirabharani is regarded as a holy river in Southern India. The deity here is Lord Navaneertha Krishnan, who grants child boons to couples seeking progeny.

The place where this Navaneetha Krishnan temple is located now, was once a dense forest full of Marudhu trees in the past, which eventually lead to the village being called “Maruthur”. According to Puranas, Maa Yasodha once tied Krishna around a Marudha tree and a stone, as a punishment for his mischiefs. The little Lord had then dragged the stone through the tree which broke it into two, thereby gracing the cursed soul who had taken the form of the tree with salvation. It must be noted that Vedic Sastras also recommend the construction of Krishna temples ideally at places where the Marudhu trees are found plenty. This is attributed as the reason behind the construction of Navaneetha Krishna temple at Marudhur.

Thoothukudi district boasts of housing the renowned Nava Thirupathi (9 holy kshethras of Lord Vishnu). Devotees who intent to visit the Nava Thirupathi, may also undertake to visit this Marudur Navaneethakrishnan temple, which is located in the adjacent district of Thirunelveli.

About The Deity

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Navaneethakrishna whose vigraha measures approximately 4 feet in height. The deity seen showering his grace abundantly on those devotees who offer prayers to him devotedly. The shrine also has a vigraha (idol) of baby Krishna which is merely a couple of feet tall and is made of Panchaloha (A mixture of five metals). The deity is found adorning ornaments and holds the butter in his hand. The temple also houses Sri Garuda whose vigraha too is made of Panchaloha.

Festivals

Gokhulastami is the most celebrated festival of this temple which usually falls in the month of Aavani (August-September). All the Saturdays in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) is considered auspicious for the worship of the deity. Another prominent festive day here is the revered Vaikunda Ekadasi which falls in the Tamil month of Margazhi ( December-January).

Significance

Childless couples seeing child boon visit the temple upon taking a holy dip in the Tambiraparani on auspicious days like the Vaikunda Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, etc. They also offer milk porridge ( Pal Payasam) and butter as nivedhana. Doing so, is believed to fetch the divine blessings of the Lord who grants the couples with progeny.

Thanks Giving

Observing the much venerated Ekadhasi Vrat and worshipping Lord Navaneethakrishnan here is believed to bestow one with the ultimate salvation. Aadhi Marudeeswarar temple, Vadakkuvasal Selvi Temple and Sastha temple are few of the other shrines located close to this temple, on the very banks of River Thamirabharani.

How To Reach Sri Navaneethakrishnan Temple, Marudur

Airport

The nearest airport is the Madurai Airport.

Railways

The nearest railway station is the Tirunelveli Railway Station.

Road

There are town bus facilities in Tirunelveli old bus stand. Bus Nos. 12 and 12A are frequently available to Marudur from here.

Temple Address

Sri Navaneethakrishnan Temple,
Marudur, Tirunelveli district,
Tamil Nadu.