Tirukkolur

Tirukkolur, a quaint village nestled near the bustling city of Tirunelveli in the Tamil Nadu region of India, holds within its heart a significant and revered temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known as the Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple. This temple, recognized as the 96th Divya Desam within the Pandya region, is one of the nine Vishnu temples situated along the tranquil banks of the Tamraparni River, collectively known as the Nava Tirupatis. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the sanctity and significance of this divine abode.

Highlights:

• Nammalwar has composed Pasuram about this site in his verses.
• It is considered as the 96th Divya Desam temple. It is located in Pandya region.
• It is considered as the Third Nava Tirupati temple.
• It is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Alwar
• God - Vaithamanidhi Perumal
• Goddess - Kumuda Valli  and Kolur Valli
• Utsav - Nikshoba Vithan
• Teerth (holy water) - Kubera Teerth
• Vimana - Srikara Vimana

Legend:

The roots of this temple's legend reach into the annals of mythology, where Kubera, the lord of wealth, once faced the curse of Parvati, losing all nine forms of his wealth, known as Nava Nidhi. It is believed that Kubera, through profound penance and devotion, regained his lost wealth by invoking Lord Vishnu's grace at this very site.

Another significant aspect of the temple's legend relates to Dharmaraja, the embodiment of righteousness, who fervently prayed to Lord Vishnu at Tirukkolur to vanquish Adharma (unrighteousness). Hence, the deity is also referred to as Adharma Pishunam, symbolizing the triumph of virtue over vice.

History:

This temple, rooted in antiquity, traces its origins back to the Pandya dynasty, with subsequent renovations and expansions carried out by rulers in later periods.

Temple Layout:

As one approaches the temple, its east-facing facade, while lacking a towering gopuram, exudes a sense of timeless devotion and reverence. The inner sanctum houses the magnificent reclining form of Lord Vishnu, resting gracefully upon the divine serpent Sesha. Known as Vaithamanidhi Perumal, the deity holds a mirror in his left hand, diligently searching for the lost wealth of Kubera, using a wooden measurement tool called Marakkal as his pillow, symbolizing his quest to quantify the rediscovered treasures. Bhrigu Rishi, the sage of profound wisdom, is found near the feet of the Lord, bearing witness to this divine moment of retrieval. The Nidhi (wealth) that was found out by Vishnu is also found in the sanctum.

Within the sanctum, the festival deity, Nikshoba Vithan, graces the hearts of devotees. Accompanied by his consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, Nikshoba Vithan radiates his divine blessings upon all who seek his divine presence.

The temple's expansive Ardha Mandapa houses shrines dedicated to the revered Alwars and Vishwaksena, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of spiritual resonance. Further into the temple, the Maha Mandapa, adorned with numerous pillars, provides a serene space for contemplation and prayer.

The grand image of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's loyal mount, stands majestically within the temple complex, exuding devotion and veneration. Nearby, the flag staff and bali peetha accompany the shrine of Garuda.

The temple's prakara, or outer courtyard, reveals the divine presence of Goddesses Kumuda Valli and Kolur Valli. Notably, the Nava Tirupati temples feature unique names for the goddesses in place of the traditional Lakshmi and Andal.

Adding to the temple's spiritual richness, a shrine dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, stands as a testament to the diverse manifestations of divinity within its sacred precincts.

Happy travelling.