Nava Tirupati: Bhagawan Vishnu with Nava Grahas (Part 3)

Sri Mayakoothan Perumal Temple

Sri Mayakoothan (Srinivasa) Perumal Temple associated with Shani (Saturn) of the Navagraha is located in Perungulam of Tuticorin district. Here, Lord Vishnu is in the form of Sri Srinivasa or Mayakoothan Perumal with Laxmi as Alamelu Mangai. The Perumal graces under the Anandha Nilaya Vimaana.

An asura named Asmacharan abducted Ved Saran’s wife Kumudhavalli and performed magic tricks. Lord Vishnu appeared to destroy the magic and slay the asura. Then he performed a victory dance on his body and was called Mayakoothan.
Here, Vishnu’s Murthi is in a standing posture. A unique feature of the temple is Garuda’s presence in the Sannadhi.

Irattai Tirupati Temple- Rahu and Ketu

The beauty of the place is in the name itself Irattai(twin) Tirupati meaning two Tirupati’s, for Rahu and Ketu. In the actual solar system also, the Rahu and Ketu always move together facing each other. The temples are located in Thirutholaivallimangalam of the Tuticorin district. The Lord graces his devotees under the Gupta Vimaana in the sanctum sanctorum.

There are two temples, one a north temple and the other a south temple. The Aravindalochanar temple associated with Rahu has Lord Vishnu as Sri Aravindalochanar and Laxmi as Karunthadankanni. Whereas, The Devapiran temple has Vishnu as Sri Devapiran and Laxmi as Vakshasthala.

According to Vishnu Puran, after Sagar Manthan- churning of the ocean, an asura named Swarbhanu disguised as a Devta for drinking Amrita to become an immortal. While the Amrit was passing through his throat, his identity was disclosed. Lord Vishnu immediately used Sudarshan Chakra to cut Swarabhanu’s head off his body. The head became Rahu, and the body became Ketu; they are called Chhayagraha, associated with eclipse, and are believed to be malefic planets.