| Description This is the
eighth of the nine Nava Tiruppatis in Tirunelveli district in the belt between Tirunelveli and the coastal shrine of
Tiruchendur. Only Nammalwar, who resided at Alwar
Tirunagari, has sung of these nine shrines Tiruvaikuntham,
Varagunamangai, Pulinkudi,
Tolaivillimangalam, Tirukkulandai,
Tirukkolur, Tirupperai
and Tirukkurugoor collectively referred to as
Alwar Navatiruppati. Tolaivillimangalam referred
to as Irattai Tirupati, counts as two in the scheme of Nava Tirupatis, but as one of the
108 Divya Desams. Nammalwar has sung of Tirupperai in a decad of 11 verses.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Makara Nedunkuzhaikkadan (Nigaril
Mukilvannan) in a seated posture facing east, while Taayaars here are Kuzhaikkaaduvalli
Naachiyaar and Tirupperai Naachiyaar. Also seen in the sanctum are images of Bhrigu muni
and Markandeya.
Legend has it that Bhudevi took the form of Lakshmi (Sreebherai) and
bathed in the Tamrabarani river on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Pankuni, where
she discovered two fish shaped ear rings, which she offered to Vishnu and hence the name
Makara Nedunkuzhaikkaadan. Varuna, is believed to have worshipped Vishnu with an
abhishekam on the full moon day in the month of Pankuni, to absolve himself of the sin of
having insulted his Guru. This shrine is also regarded as a Sukrastalam. The theertham
here is called the Sukra Pushkarini. |
