Sri Punnai Srinivasaperumal Temple

The Paramapada Nathar Temple is located in Tiruchendur and is dedicated to God Vishnu. The temple got the name Punnayadi, as it was situated in a dense forest replete with Punnai trees. According to the scriptures God Perumal is closely associated with the Punnai trees. The God offers His Darshan seated on the Punnai Vahan on the 9th day of the Brahmotsav in all the Vishnu temples. The holy tree of Srirangam is also the Punnai tree. This highlights the importance of this tree. There are separate gopurams for God Vishnu, God Shiva facing the east. Sri Adinarayana, Perumal embracing God Shiva (Sivan Anaindha Perumal) temple grace from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing form giving us the feeling as if he speaks to us. On his right are Peria Palavesam, Chinna Palavesam in separate shrines. Sivan Anaindha Perumal graces facing the north while Mother Sivakami facing the south, Brahma Shakti and Pechi grace from their respective shrines. This temple is praised by the Azhwars in their hymns. This temple was built with the blessings of Sri Tirumuruga Krupananda Variar, a great spiritual leader of our times without any Saivite and Vaishnavite discrimination. The Adinarayana temple is very ancient on the banks of river Tambiraparani in a serene environment. This temple was built in 22 days as per the Mayan Sastras. God Raja Ganapathy graces the devotees as soon as they enter the temple. The festival hall or the Utsav Mandap is huge in size to facilitate cultural programmes and lectures. The entrance of the Mahamandap or the Ashtalakshmi Mandap is graced by Chakarathazhwar and Yoga Narasimha. God Perumal graces his devotees in a standing form facing the East as it is in Tirupathi. In the Arthamandap he is with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Mother Padmavati graces from a separate shrine in the Kanimoola direction. Sri Vadapalani Murugan, Sri Krupanandavariar, Sri Rajagopalan, Thanigai Murugan with Valli and Deivanai grace from separate shrines. Sri Andal graces from the northwest corner. In the outer prakara or the corridor of Sri Srinivasaperumal, Ganapathi and Dakshinamurthy grace facing the south. Behind the prakara are Guruvayurappan, Vishnu and Durga facing north, Anjaneya facing north east and Garudalwar in Mahamandap worshipping Perumal. There are also shrines for the village deities like Pookkan Palavesam, Sudalai, Mundan, Chappani Muthu, Ladguru Sanyasi, Muthupillai Amman, Irulappar, Nattani Palavesam in the temple prakara. There are separate Rajagopurams for God Perumal and God Shiva facing east. The temple is built conforming to the Agama rules combining northern architecture and of Chera, Chola and Pandya models. Near the temple, there are 9 Vishnu temples belonging to the 108 Divyadesa fame known as Nava Tirupathis. Those coming for Nava Tirupati darshan may visit this temple too in their own interest. The other significance is that the famous Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, revered as one of the six army camps (Aaru Padai Veedu) of God Muruga is very near this temple. Those coming for either of these temples have the facility of visiting the other temple too. The consecration of the temple was grandly performed on 9th July, 2009. It is noteworthy that within five months of the consecration 5 lakh devotees had visited the temple. Pujas are performed five times a day – 5 Kala puja. The temple was built in 22 days on a land measuring 23,000 square feet in accordance with the rules of Mayan Sastra with Main Tower-Rajagopuram, followed by Festival Hall, Prakara Mandap, Maha Mandap, Artha Mandap and Sanctum Sanctorum. God Raja Ganapathy greets and graces the devotees sooner they enter the temple. The Festival Hall – Utsav Mandap is huge in size to facilitate conducting cultural programmes and lectures. While entering the Mahamandap-Ashtalakshmi Mandap, we are graced by Chakarathazhwar and Yoga Narasimha. Perumal graces in a standing form in the sanctum sanctorum as in Tirupati facing east, giving the feeling that the devotee is in Tirupati. He graces in the Arthmandapa with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The ten incarnations of God Vishnu is aesthetically sculpted in the temple. Mother Padmavathi graces from a separate shrine in the Kannimoola direction. Sri Vadapalani Murugan, Sri Krupanandavariar, Sri Rajagopalan, Thanigai Murugan with Valli and Deivanai grace from separate shrines. Sri Andal graces from northwest corner. In the outer prakara-corridor of Sri Srinivasaperumal, Ganapathi and Dakshinamurthy grace facing south. Behind are Guruvayurappan, Vishnu Durga facing north, Anjaneya facing north east and Garudalwar in Mahamandap worshipping Perumal. Sri Adinarayana, is seen embracing God Shiva (Sivan Anaindha Perumal) in the temple, and grace the temple from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing form giving us the feeling as if He speaks to us. Standing on His right are Peria Palavesam and Chinna Palavesam in separate shrines. Sivan Anaindha Perumal graces facing north while Mother Sivakami facing south, Brahmma Shakti and Pechi grace from their respective shrines. There are shrines for the village deities Pookkan Palavesam, Sudalai, Mundan, Chappani Muthu, Ladguru Sanyasi, Muthupillai Amman, Irulappar, Nattani Palavesam in the temple prakara. Tirumanjanam is performed for the presiding deity on Fridays and for the procession deity on Wednesdays. Devotees believe that obstacles on wedding proposal would go off if they join this puja. Ekantha Seva darshan on Thursdays relieve the devotees from the adverse aspects of Saturn. Devotees are happy that Perumal blesses them in all ways. The Naga Kanniamman temple is close to this temple. The Shakti in the temple helps devotees in their marriage efforts and also relieves them from the adverse aspects of Rahu-Kethu planets. People suffering from paralytic problems light lamps near the Vadamudakki tree here.