Sri Punnai Srinivasaperumal Temple (Vana Thirupathi), Punnainagar, Thoothukudi

Sri Punnai Srinivasaperumal Temple (Vana Thirupathi), Punnainagar, Thoothukudi

Sri Punnai Srinivasaperumal Temple is also known as Vana Thirupathi Temple. It is located in Punnainagar near Thiruchendur in Thoothukudi district of Tamilnadu. This beautiful temple is built by the owner of the famous hotel chain Saravana Bhavan in their native place. The temple is getting popular among tourists going to Thiruchendur temple and the nearby Vaishnava Nava Tirupathi temples.

The temple is very neatly maintained with Sannadhis of many popular deities and beautiful paintings of religious importance on the walls. There are two entrances – one of Srinivasar and another of Adinarayana perumal. The Lord looks stunning and one can have peaceful darshan without much crowd. The rays of Sun fall on Lord’s right hand every day as if seeking his blessings.

History

The place assumed the name Punnayadi as it was a dense forest with Punnai trees used for grazing cattle. According to scriptures, Perumal – Lord Vishnu is closely associated with Punnai trees. The holy tree of Srirangam temple also is the Punnai tree. Perumal graces his darshan sitting on the Punnai Vahana on the 9th day of Brahmotsavam in all Vishnu temples. This emphasizes the significance of Punnai tree.

The temple has been constructed very recently although it exists from ancient times. Exact year of its origin is not known to the people. The temple has been built by Hotel Saravana Bhavan (HSB), one of the famous restaurant chains of Chennai. Punnai Nagar happens to be the native place of the owners of the hotel, and this explains the construction of the temple in this village.

The temple is built with the blessings of Sri Tirumuruga Krupananda Variyar, a great spiritual leader of our times without any Saivite and Vaishnavite discrimination. The Adinarayana temple is very ancient on the banks of River Thamiraparani in a serene environment.

The Temple

The temple was built in 22 days on a land measuring 23, 000 sq.ft in accordance with the rules of Mayan Sastra with Main Tower – Rajagopuram, followed by Festival Hall, Prakara Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum Sanctorum. Lord 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. There are separate Rajagopurams for Lord Perumal and Lord Shiva facing east. The temple is built conforming to the Agama rules combining northern architecture and of Chera, Chola and Pandya models.

While entering the Mahamandapam - Ashtalakshmi Mandapam, you can see Chakarathzhwar and Yoga Narasimha Shrines. 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 Ardhamandapam with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu is aesthetically sculpted in the temple. Mother Padmavathi graces from a separate shrine in the Kannimoola direction.

Sri Vadapalani Murugan, Sri Kripanandavariar, 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 are gracing the devotees by facing south. Behind are Guruvaayurappan, Vishnu Durga facing north, Anjaneya facing north east and Garudalwar in Mahamandapam worshipping Perumal.

Sri Adinarayana, Perumal embracing Lord 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 is Peria Palavesam, 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 and Nattani Palavesam in the temple prakara. Thirumanjanam 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 Kanni Amman 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.

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 Lord has lot of resemblance to Srinivasar of Tirumala and one can have peaceful darshan as long as one feels. The Ladoo Prasadam given free to everyone also would remind one of Tirupati Ladoo Prasadam.

Near the temple 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 Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, revered as one of the six army camps (Aaru Padai Veedu) of Lord Muruga is very near this temple. Those coming for either of these temples have the facility of visiting the other temple too.

Sannadhis:

·        Srinivasar

·        Raja Ganapathi

·        Anjaneya

·        Chakarathalwar / Narasimhar

·        Padmavathi Thayar

·        Andal

·        Vadapalani Andavar

·        Rajagopala Swami

·        Dakshina Moorthy

·        Guruvaayurappan

·        Brahma

·        Vishnu Durgai

·        Tiruthani Murugan

·        Garudan

·        Adinarayana

·        Several Village Deities

Opposite the temple premise there are small rest houses for visitors to stay, if required. Next to the temple, there are decent options for one to have a quick bite or to freshen up. One could also visit the Nagakanni Amman temple located close to Vana Tirupati. It is located just a few meters away from Vana Tirupati. It is generally visited by those with Ragu-Kethu doshas.

Temple Opening & Pooja Timings

The Temple is open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with no intermittent closure. In general, poojas are performed five times in a day at 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Ladoos are offered as Prasadam.

Festivals

Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Thai Pongal almost on January 14, Parivettai the next day, Special pujas for Lord Muruga on Kruthika star days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

Lord Perumal responds to every prayer of every devotee. He is an ocean of mercy. Devotees arrange performance of Thirumanjanam to Lord offering Vastras.

Contact

Sri Punnai Srinivasaperumal Temple

Vana Thirupathi, Punnainagar,

Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu

Phone: +91 - 4639- 278 055, 279 077

Mobile: +91 - 94443 96993, 93829 06220

Connectivity

Devotees should reach Kurumbur from Tirunelveli – 52 km on the Thiruchendur route & proceed on the Nazareth road. Punnai Nagar is 5 km from Nazareth. They also can reach Kurumbur 15 km from Thiruchendur – Nazareth – Punnai Nagar. 

Nearest Railway Stations are located at Kurumbur, Thiruchendur and Tirunelveli and Nearest Airports are located at Thoothukudi and Madurai.