Kulasekhara Alwar Temple, Alwarkurichi, Thirunelveli
Kulasekhara
Alwar Temple is located in Alwarkurichi Village near Tenkasi Town in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The village is named after Kulasekhara
Alwar. He spent his last time in and around this village. The nearby Mannar
Kovil is the place where he attained Samadhi. The village is named after him;
his temple should ideally be the center of attraction. Unfortunately, the
temple remains unknown and hardly anyone visits the site which is located in
the outskirts of the village.
Kulasekhara
Alwar was one of twelve Alwars, the great Vaishnavite of South India. As per
the mythology, he was born when Kali Yuga started (around 5000 years ago).
Historically, it looks like he lived in the 9th century CE. He was
also a king who ruled part of today's Kerala state of India. This great devotee
spent his last few years around Ambasamudram region. This small village has a
very small temple dedicated to Kulasekhara Alwar. The temple has a main shrine
dedicated to him and a small sub-shrine facing the main shrine where Garuda is
found. The temple does not have tower.
Alwarkurichi is located at about 14 Kms from Ambasamudram, 24 Kms from Tenkasi,
11 Kms from Papanasam, 24 Kms from Veeravanallur, 60 Kms from Thirunelveli, 130
Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 200 Kms from Madurai. Buses plying from
Thirunelveli to Tenkasi stop at Alwarkurichi. Nearest Railway stations are
located at Tenkasi, Veeravanallur and Ambasamudram. Nearest Airport is located
at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.