|
Location:
Alwar
Tirunagari near Tiruchendur
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Aadinaathar
Taayaar: Aadi Naatha
Valli, Kurukoorvalli
Theertham:Bhrama Theertham
Paasuram :Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Govinda Vimanam
Travel Base:Srivaikuntam, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli
Description This is the ninth
and the most celebrated of the nine Nava Tiruppatis in Tirunelveli district
in the belt between Tirunelveli and the coastal shrine of Tiruchendur.
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 as one of the 108 Divya Desams.
Nammalwar honors Tirukkurukoor
with a decad of 11 verses. Nammalwar's signature in each of his decads
is Kurukoor Sadagopan. This shrine is very closely associated with Nammalwar,
who lived his life here. Alwar Tirunagari is also known for Araiyar Sevai,
where the Divya Prabanda Pasurams (verses) are recited with expression,
music and rhythm as in Srirangam and Srivilliputtur.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Aadi Naathan or Aadi Piraan. Taayaars here are Aadi
Natha Valli and Kurukoor Valli. There is a shrine to Nammalwar.
The tamarind tree, in which he resided (Tiruppulialwar) is the stala vriksham
here
Legend
has it that Indra was absolved of his curse here. It is believed that
Lakshmana incarnated as the tamarind tree here. Vishnu is believed to
have been under a vow of celibacy, when Lakshmi meditated upon him to
marry him and therefore Vishnu took her in the form of a garland of flowers
(magizha malar maalai). There is another legend that Agasthyar had been
blessed by Shiva, that there would be born a saint (Nammalwar) in
this area, who would enthrone the language tamil to a status equal to
that of sanskrit.
The temple:
This temple covers an area of 5 acres. The Tirumanjana Mandapam, the tirumamani
mandapam and the Kannadi Mandapam are of great beauty.
Festivals:
The asterism of each Alwar is celebrated here, as in Srirangam. Garuda
Sevai in the tamil month of Vaikasi (Vishaka asterism - the birthday of
Nammalwar) witnesses the grand Garuda Sevai, where festival images from
all of the nine Nava Tirupatis congregate here. Nammalwar is mounted on
the Hamsavahanam. The Paasurams on each of these deities are recited then,
during this grand festival.
|
