Aravindalochanar Perumal Temple (Irattai Tirupati
Temple), Tholavillimangalam, Thoothukudi
Aravindalochanar
Perumal Temple in Tholavillimangalam, a village in Thoothukudi district in the South
Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located
22 km from Tirunelveli. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya
Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD.
It is
one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as
Aravindalochanar and his consort Lakshmi as Karunthadankanni. The temple is also
classified as a Navathiruppathi, the nine temples revered by Nammazhwar located in the
banks of Tamirabarani River. Along with the Devapiran
temple located 100 yards
away, the temple is referred as Irattai Tirupathi (meaning twin Tirupathis).
A
granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing the main shrine and pillared
halls. Unlike other South Indian temples, the temple does not have a Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower and has a flat gateway. The
Vijayanagar and Nayak kings commissioned pillared halls and major shrines of
the temple during the 16th century.
The
temple follows Thenkalai tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and three
yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten day annual Vaikunta
Ekadasi during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December - January)
and the Nammazhwar birth celebrations with Garudasevai with all nine temple of Navathiruppathi,
being the most prominent. In modern times, the temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
There
are nine sacred shrines in this Pandya region equal to those in the Chola
region attributed to nine planets. As Lord Vishnu himself is acting as the nine
planets in these places, there are no separate shrines for the Navagrahas the
nine planets. Those facing any adverse aspect of a planet are advised to visit
the Nava – nine Tirupathis for relief.
It would
be difficult to catch buses for each such place causing more days to complete
this pilgrimage. A cab can be hired to visit the places for completing the tour
in a day. Those in Chennai can avail the services of Tamilnadu Tourism
Development Corporation which is arranging the trip twice a month on the first
and third Friday of the month. They can return by Wednesday morning. The Nava
Tirupathis are related with the nine planets as Perumal himself is the planet
of the particular place.
The List
of Nava Tirupathi Temples and its related Grahas (Planets)
are:
·
Sri
Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple – Surya (Sun)
·
Thiru
Varagunamangai Perumal Temple – Chandra (Moon)
·
Thirupulinkudi
Perumal Temple — Budha (Mercury)
·
Irattai
Tirupathi Perumal Temple – Rahu (North node)
·
Irattai
Tirupathi Perumal Temple – Ketu (South node)
·
Thirukuzhandhai
(Perungulam) Perumal Temple – Sani (Saturn)
·
Thenthiruperai
Perumal Temple – Shukra – (Venus)
·
Thirukkolur
Perumal Temple – Mangala (Mars)
·
Alwarthirunagari
Perumal Temple – Guru (Jupiter)
Sage
Nammaalvar had sung 11 Pasurams (verses) on the glory of this place. It is
advised that devotees go to the temple after ascertaining the time of the
presence of the priest of the temple. This is attributed to Shadow Planets
(Chaya Grahas) Rahu and Ketu.
Devotees
believed that this Lord will cure their Raghu and Ketu doshas. Devotees worship
him for marriage, prosperity and child boon. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam and
gift clothes to the lord as their thanks giving. Aravindalochanar Temple in
Tuticorin is located at 8°36'33.8"N 77°58'22.5"E or 8.609374,
77.972915.
This
Temple is located 100 yards North of Devapiran temple is the Aravinda Lochanar
temple. Pleased with Sage Suprabar’s devotion of offering Lotus flowers every
day without fail. Lord provided darshan in a standing posture. As he adorned
himself with the Lotus flowers, he is referred to as Aravinda Lochanar. Belief
is that those who offer sincere prayers here with Lotus flowers will be
relieved from their sins.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
The
exact history of the temple is not known, but it is understood from the
neighbouring inscriptions, the temple has been a part of a series of temples
built by Pandyas and expanded by Madurai Nayaks. The temple is glorified in the
Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the
6th-9th centuries AD.
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Religious
Significance
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
People
pray for successful marriage alliances and progress in education. Devotees
perform Thirumanjanam and offer Vastras to Lord and Mother.
Contact
Sri
Aravindalochanar Temple,
Tirutholaivillimangalam,
Nava Tirupati,
Thoothukudi
district - 628614
Phone: +91 4639 273 607
Mobile: +91 94435 54570
Connectivity
Tirutholaivillimangalam
is about 39 kms from Tirunelveli. Of the sacred places dedicated to the
planets, this is the one most difficult to reach. We have to go to Mangalakurichi
which is about 2 kms from Perungulam, walk on the canal bank for about 3 kms. Cross
the canal and reach the place or walk about 3 kms from Alwar Thirunagari and
crossing river Thamiraparani, we can reach this village. Adequate bus-services
are available from Tirunelveli / Thiruchendur.
Mangalakurichi
is situated 2 miles from Tirukullandai. Devotees can access the temple through Thirunagari,
which is 3 kms from the station.
References
http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/07/108-divya-desam-nava-tirupathi.html
