Holy Water :        Varuna Theertham, Nirudhi Theertham
Vimanam :      Vedachara Vimanam
Mother :Malarmagal Nachiar, Poomagal Nachiar, Puliankudivalli
Planet :      Mercury (Budha)
Presiding Deity : Boomipalakar – in a lying pose facing east using a rice measuring vessel as a pillow
Procession Deity :      Sri Kaisinavendan
District :      Thoothukudi

NAVA THIRUPATHY TEMPLES

Of the 108 vaishnava temples, devotionally celebrated as Divya Desas, there are 9 temples known as Nava Thirupathy linked with 9 planets.

They are:

1. Sri Vaikuntam - Sun - Surya

2. Varagunamangai - Moon - Chandra

3. Thirukkolur - Mars - Angaraka

4. Thirupuliankudi - Mercury - Budha

5. Azhwar Tirunagari - Jupiter - Guru

6. Thentirupperai - Venus - Sukra

7. Perunkulam - Saturn - Sani

8. Tholavil Mangalam - Dragon’s head &- Rahu & Kethu

(Twin Temples) Dragon’s tail

Nava Thirupathy Vaishnava temples are situated both in Chola and Pandia Regions. There are no separate shrines for the Navagrahas (9 planets) in these temples as the presiding deity is a graha (planet) himself in the respective temples. Devotees throng these temples for relief from the adverse effects of the planets in their own individual life and also for the welfare of the members of the entire family.

It is difficult to cover all the temples at a single stretch traveling by bus. It is time consuming, expensive and monotonous. Hiring a cab would be comfortable and easier.

In Chennai, the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation runs a bus on the first and third fridays of each month covering all the Nava Thirupathy temples. The bus returns back the following Wednesday. Including lodging, the department charges Rs.1,100/= per head.

NAVA THIRUPATHY TEMPLE No.4

THIRUPPULIANKUDI

General Information:

Thiruppuliankudi is one mile from Varaguna Mangai and 32 kms from Tirunelveli. Lodges are available in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur and the charges range from Rs.100 to Rs.400. Buses are available from Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. Nearest railway stations are Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. Nearest airports are Trivandrum and Madurai.

Umblical cord from the naval of Perumal joins the lotus on which Brahma is seated. Those who want to have the Darshan of the lotus feet of the Lord, have to do so only through a window here. This is where Indhra got relieved from Brahmahathi Sin. A Brahmin by name Yagnya Sharma wandering as a demon due to curse of the sons of Sage Vasishta also was relieved from their anger by worshipping the Lord here. Varuna, Niruthi and Dharmaraja and Narar also had Darshan of the Lord in Thiruppuliankudi.