Navaneethakrishnan Temple, Marudhur, Thirunelveli
Navaneethakrishnan
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Marudhur in Thirunelveli
District of Tamilnadu. The Nava Tirupathis are in Thoothukudi
district. Those visiting these places may visit Marudhur Navaneethakrishnan
temple also. All these places are close to Thirunelveli. This place is
called as Marudhur because of Marudha maram (tree), which is in plenty in this
place, and the same is the Sthala Virutcham here. Lord Navaneethakrishnan temple
was built centuries back near the dam in Marudhur. Besides this temple, there
are Aadhi Marudeeswarar temple, Vadakku Vasal Selvi Temple and Sastha temple on
the banks of this river.
Legends
It may
be recalled that Mother Yasodha bound mischievous Navaneetha Krishna around a
Marudha tree and a pounding stone. Pretty little Krishna dragged
the stone through the tree which broke into two granting salvation to those
cursed as the tree. The place is dense with Marudha trees naming the place as Marudhur. According
to rules, Krishna temples should be built in places where these trees
are plenty. The temple was built here based on this principle.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity Lord Navaneethakrishna is 4 feet tall gracing the devotees with a smiling
face offering boons sought by them. There is a child Krishna idol
2 feet tall made of a mixture of five metals. He is a two year old child with
ornaments around the waist, belly slightly big (Thondhi) holding butter in
hand. Sri Garuda is 4 feet tall idol made of five metals so ready to
respond to the call of the devotees.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Gokulastami
in the month of Aavani (August-September), Saturdays in Purattasi
(September-October). Vaikunda Ekadasi in Margazhi (December-January) and all
Krishna related festivals are celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Adoring
Child Lord Navaneethakrishnan blesses this place with lot of grace and boon to
his trusted devotees. Devotees seeking child, take bath in Tambiraparani river
come here on Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi and other days of Krishna, offer Milk
payasam and butter to the Lord after the pooja. It is well known fact that the
lord will grant the wish of the devotee with a lovely child (according to the
priest). This is seen by the crowd of devotees who have come to this sacred
place with the child, to thank the lord for the boon. Any one calling Govinda
with devotion would be blessed with a child and this Lord Govinda graces
to Marudhur Village. Tamirabarani is equal to holy Ganga. Marudhur
Lord Navaneethakrishnan grants total salvation to those observing Ekadasi
fasting.
Connectivity
Marudhur
is located at about 12 Kms from Thirunelveli and 156 Kms from Madurai. There
are town bus facilities in Thirunelveli old bus stand. Bus Nos. 12 and 12A are
frequently available to Marudhur from Thirunelveli. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.