Nava Tirupati: Bhagawan Vishnu with Nava Grahas (Part 1)

Nav Tirupati is a set of nine temples dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu situated on the banks of the Thamiraparani river, in a 12-kilometers radius of the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route in Tamil Nadu. These temples are called ‘Divya Desams’ by the 12 poet saints, or Alvars.

Lord Vishnu holds a special place in Hinduism and is called Jagdish ‘The Lord of the Universe’. Each temple of the Nava Tirupati is associated with one of the Nava Graha and is said to ease the pain associated with the respective graha.

Indian culture has developed around Lord Vishnu’s character, who had blessed his devotees by granting boons or ending the sorrow and misery in their lives, for which he also manifested in various forms. Some of his popular manifestations are in the form of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Lord Parshurama

The Garuda Sevai Utsav witnesses nine Garudasevai festivals in the Vaisaki month (May–June), image idols from the Nava Tirupati shrines are brought on Garuda vahana, a sacred vehicle of Lord Vishnu. An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on an Anna Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these nine temples are recited. This is one of the most important festivals in this area, drawing thousands of visitors.

Sirvaikuntam Perumal Temple (Sun)

The Srivaikuntanathan temple, a Nav Tirupati temple located in Thootukudi district of Tamil Nadu, is a prominent Vishnu temple in the state associated with Surya (Sun God), of the Navgrahas, who blesses the devotee with a long and healthy life.

The temple is believed to be 1000-2000 years old and has amazing Dravidian(Southern) architecture. Sri Vaikuntanathar or Sri Kallappiran, the deity of the temple is in a standing posture facing east, with Adishesha (Sheshnaag), the serpent of Vishnu, over his head. Every year on two days ( on the sixth day of Chitrai (April-May) and Aipasi(October-November)), sun rays fall directly on the Vaikuntanathar. Here, Laxmi resides as Vaikuntavalli. Garuda Sevai is one of the important festivals here.

There are two legends associated with the temple. When Somak demon abducted four Vedas from Brahma Dev, Lord Vishnu appeared here to slay Somuk to free the Vedas, thus the place became sacred like Vaikuntha (abode of Vishnu) and was revered as Sri Vaikuntam. Another legend is that Lord Vishnu disguised as a thief, appeared before the king to save Kaldooshakan and the king requested him to stay here as Kallappiran.

The temple does not have a separate shrine dedicated to Surya, as Vishnu himself represents the planet. Veerpandiya Kattaboman, during the 1800s, is said to have used the temple as a fort against the British.

Vijayassana Perumal Temple

The Vijayassanar Perumal temple is dedicated to Vishnu as Sri Vijayassanar and Laxmi as Varagunamangai located in Natham, Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Perumal himself represents the Chandra (Moon) of the Navgraha. Chandra is the ruler of manas so his blessings will give good thoughts and mental peace.

The 1000-2000 years old temple having 5 Rajgopurams, is mentioned in 108 Divya Desams and a Nav Tirupati. Perumal graces the temple under Vijayakoti Vimana (roof-tower). After severe penance, a Brahmin Vedic scholar was granted darshan by Sri Vishnu. At his request, Lord Vishnu stayed here as Vijayassanar. He also graced Agni, Rishi Romasa, and Sathyavan (husband of Sati Savithri).

Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple (Mangal)

Sri Vaithmanidhi Perumal Temple, associated with the Mangal (Mars) Graha, is located in Tirukkolur of Thootukudi district. Here, Vishnu is in the form of Vaithamanidhi Perumal and Laxmi in the form of Kumudavalli Nayaki. Tirukkolur is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Alvar.

The temple has a Dravidian style architecture and is around 1000-2000 years old. It is also called Kubera Sthalam. The Vimana- tower above the sanctum sanctorum- is known as Srikara Vimana. The statue of Perumal is in a reclining posture on the Adisheshan (Sheshnag) and the form is termed as Bhujanga (Adisheshan) Shayanam, he has one hand on the head and the other facing towards the ground. He has Nav Nidhi under his right shoulder.

Once Kuber was cursed by Lord Shiva for a lustful glance at Mata Parvathi. Consequently, Kuber was deprived of his wealth. Then he did severe penance to please Lord Vishnu to regain his wealth.