Sunday, July 3, 2016

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (Kallapiran Temple), Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (Kallapiran Temple), Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi
Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (also called Srivaikundam temple and Kallapiran temple) in Srivaikundam, a town 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 Vaikundanathar and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli. 




The temple is also classified as a Navathiruppathi, the nine temples revered by Nammazhwar located in the banks of Thamiraparani River. The temple is next only to Alwarthirunagari Temple in terms of importance among the nine Navathiruppathi Temple. The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in Vaishnavism, associated with Surya, the Sun god.




A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and two of its three bodies of water. The Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, is 110 ft. (34 m) tall. The Vijayanagar and Nayak kings commissioned paintings on the walls of the shrine of temple, some of which are still present. Thiruvengadamudaiyan hall houses rare life size sculptures commissioned during the 16th century.




Srivaikuntanathar is believed to have appeared to slay the demon Somuka who abducted the four Vedas. The presiding deity is called Pal Pandian as a cow performed ablution daily to the submerged deity during the Pandyan era and Kallapiran as he helped a thief who prayed to Vishnu while he was in trouble. The temple follows Thenkalai tradition of worship.



Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) and the Nammazhwar birth celebrations with Garudasevai with all nine temple of Navathiruppathi, being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.




A unique feature of the temple is that every year on two days (in the period of April-May and October-November) Sun's rays falls directly on Lord Vaikuntanathan. It is believed that this temple was used as a fort in the fight between the legendary freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the British in the 1800s. This is 1st among the Nava Tirupathi temple dedicated to the planet, Sri Surya (God Sun). Out of the 108 Divya Desams, it lies in the 73th place.



The temple gopuram which is 110 feet in height and 500 feet in width can be viewed from the Tamirabarani Bridge. Several poojas are held in this temple and the most important among them is the pooja done by childless couples. It is believed that if the childless couple consumes the ghee for 48 nights that has been offered at the deity's feet, they will be blessed with children. 



The presiding deity is Sri Vaikunta Natha perumal in standing posture with Adiseshan above his head - a unique feature as normally the Lord is found only in a sleeping posture over Adiseshan. The Utsavar is known as Kallapiran as he had given darshan to a king through a thief according to the sthala Puranam. The Lord is also known as Paal Pandyan. The architecture of the temple is simply amazing and there are three prakarams in the temple.



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)
With extensive renovation work being undertaken by the TVS Group, these temples now have a mark of freshness about them. At each of these nine temples, one finds a display board with temple timings and route map, which makes it very convenient for devotees. 



Legends
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History
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The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 7.30 am to 12 noon and in the evening from 5.00 to 8.00p.m.
Religious Significance
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Festivals
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Prayers
Prayers can be offered to overcome the impediments in wedlock, to beget issues and for good education. The devotees perform Thirumanjanam (sacred bath) to the Lord and offer new clothes.
Contact
Arulmigu Vaikundanathar Tirukkovil,
Sri Vaikuntam – 628 601, Thoothukudi District
Phone: +91 4630 256 476
Mobile: 98656 28681 / 99521 62359
Connectivity
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