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Location:
Sreevaikuntham
near Tirunelveli
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Vaikunthanathar
Taayaar: Vaikunthavalli,
Bhudevi
Theertham:Bhrigu Theertham
Paasuram :Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Chandra Vimanam
Travel Base:Tirunelveli
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 Rajagopuram is visible
from a distance, across the river and the verdant vegetation here - amidst
very lush surroundings.
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.
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