| Description There are
two verses sung by Nammalwar, glorifying this grand shrine to Vaikunthanathar at
Sree Vaikuntham which constitutes the first of the nine Nava Tiruppatis in Tirunelveli
district in the belt between Tirunelveli
and the coastal shrine of Tiruchendur. One of these verses also refers to Tiruppulinkudi and Varagunamangai
nearby. Only Nammalwar, who resided at Alwar
Tirunagari, has sung of these nine shrines Tiruvaikuntham,
Varagunamangai, Pulinkudi,
Tolaivillimangalam, Tirukkulandai,
Tirukkolur, Tirupperai
and Tirukkurugoor collectively referred to as
Alwar Navatiruppati. Tolaivillimangalam referred
to as Irattai Tirupati, counts as two in the scheme of Nava Tirupatis, but only as one of
the 108 Divya Desams.
This temple witnessed the battle between the valiant Veerapandya Kattabomman
and the British, where the British used this temple as a fortress. Battle marks are seen
on the temple's door.
Also located in this village is the Kailasanathar temple considered to be one of the
Navagraha Stalam temples in the Tirunelveli area, enshrining Saneeswaran, owing to which,
this village is also referred to as Tirukkayilayam.
Deities: Sree Vaikunthanathan (Kallappiraan) in a standing posture
facing east. The image of Vishnu, with Adi Seshan's hood spread over his head, is an
imposing one. of Taayaar here is Vaikunthavalli; there is also a shrine to Bhudevi.
Legend has it that a local thief, was in the habit of surrendering
half of his spoils to the deity here; upon being caught stealing at the local ruler's
palace, Vishnu assumed the form of a thief, and preached the truth to the king and
revealed his self. Upon the king's request, Vaikunthanathan, assumed the name
Kallappiraan.
The temple: This temple has been designed such ahat on the 6th day of
Chittirai (Apr 15-May14) and Aippasi (Oct 15-Nov14), the sun's rays illuminate the
sanctum. Murals depicting the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya desam shrines are seen in the temple
corridor. The Tiruvenkatamudaiyan mandapam is lined with pillars carrying images of lions,
yalis and elephants. . The 110 feet tall 9 tiered Rajagopuram is visible from a distance,
across the river and the verdant vegetation here - amidst very lush surroundings. There
are shrines to Krishna, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hanuman, Tiruvenkatamudaiyaan.
Festivals: Six worship services are carried out each day. The annual
Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai and the adhyana utsavam in Margazhi |
