Nava Tirupathi, Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal Temple (Thenthiruperai): Relief From Curse For Bhudevi

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Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal temple in Thenthiruperai is the seventh of the Nava Tirupathi temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

It is also one of the Navagraha temples (nine planets) in Vaishnavism associated with the planet Shukran (Venus). It is located along Tiruchendur - Tirunelveli route in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on the banks of the Thamiraparani river.

Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal Temple (Thenthiruperai), one among the Nava Tirupathi temples, is also one of the 108 Divyadesamas or temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is extolled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Tamil canon by the Alwars saints (poet saints) from the 6th to 9th centuries CE.

There is also a chapter known as 'Nava Tirupathi Mahatmeeyam' in the Brahmandapurana by saint Veda Vyasa. 'Vaikunta Mahatmeeyam', a part of the ' Thamiraparani Sthalapurana' in Sanskrit also extols the temple.

Nava Tirupathi, Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal Temple, Thenthiruperai Legends (History)

As per mythology, once Bhudevi, one of the two consorts of Lord Vishnu was cursed by Sage Dhurvasa for ignoring him while in the company of the Lord. The sage, thinking that Bhudevi was proud of her dark complexion by which the Lord was enamoured, cursed her to assume a fair body. On Bhudevi's repentance for her mistake, the Sage further instructed her to go to Bhadrivana on the banks of the Thamiraparani river in Bhooloka and offer worship to Lord Vishnu.

Thereby Bhudevi followed the instructions of the sage and performed penance. Hence once while she was dipping in the Thamiraparani river on a full moon day during the month of Panguni (March - April) she got a pair of fish shaped earrings (kundalams) in her hands. Just then the Lord pleased by her penance appeared before her. She further offered her obeisance to the Lord and produced the earrings that she got in the river, which the Lord lovingly wore in his ears, for which he came to be hailed as Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal.

The Lord appeared as a commoner

As per another legend, a King named Sundara Pandiyan, who was childless for a long time wanted to offer special prayers to Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal in this temple. For this purpose, he needed 108 Brahmins to carry out the rituals from the Chola kingdom. But his men, who went on the mission, could only secure 107 Brahmins. But when the king counted them, there were 108 of them. It is said that Lord Vishnu himself appeared as the 108th Brahmin to fulfil the king's mission, for which he is hailed by the locals in Tamil as 'Engalil Oruvar' (One among us).

Relief from curse for Varuna and Bhadra (Son of the planet Shukra, Venus)

Thenthiruperai is also the place where Varuna, who was cursed by his Guru, (Planet Guru) for disrespecting him was relieved of his curse by offering worship to Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal. Bhadra, the son of planet Shukra (Venus), who was cursed by Sage Dhurvasa, offered his worship by building a Vimana (the structure over the inner sanctum in the Hindu temples of South India) for the Lord, which came to be known as Bhardra Vimana. The Lord, pleased with his devotion is said to have appeared before him with his consorts and relieved him of his curse.

The Lord's grace on Narayana Deekshitar

Once Narayana Deekshitar, a Zamindar belonging to Thenthiruperai under the rule of the Nayaka king; an ardent devotee of the Lord and a Tamil poet was imprisoned by the king failing to pay the tax. Even in the prison, Narayana Deekshitar engaged in composing poems on the Lord and praying to him. The Lord appeared in the dream of the king and ordered him to free Narayana Deekshitar. The Deekshitar straight went to the temple and offered his worship to the Lord with overwhelming gratitude.

Narayana Deekshitar also had a special liking and respect for Nammalvar (one among the twelve Alwars or poet saints devoted to Lord Vishnu). He thus went daily to Alwarthirunagari and offered prayers in the Nammalvar shrine and received the sacred water and Sadari (a crown-like object with the Lord's feet on it, kept on the devotees' head as a blessing in Vishnu temples).

One day while the priest waited for the Deekshitar's arrival, he learned of the truth that Narayana Deekshitar was no more. As the priest quickly finished his daily puja to Nammalvar, it is said that he had the vision of the dead Narayana Deekshitar quickly walking into the shrine of Nammalvar and merging at his feet.

Nava Tirupathi, Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal Temple, Thenthiruperai significance

The presiding deity of the Tenthiruperai Perumal Temple is Makara NedungkuzhaiKaathar Perumal. He is in a seated posture, wearing the Makara kundalams (fish shaped earrings) with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. There are also separate shrines for Kuzhaikaatha Valli (Sridevi) and Thiruperai Naachiyaar (Bhudevi). The Urchava Murthy or the festival deity here bears the name Nikaril Mukhil Vannan and is present with his consorts.

During Garuda Sevai Utsavam, an annual festival in May - June, the nine idols of Nava Tirupathi are brought out. It is a magnificent sight to watch amidst thousands of people, who gather to witness this festival. During the Panguni month (March - April) festivities are observed for eleven days in a grand manner, with the chariot festival celebrated on the 10th day.

Makara Nedungkuzhaikaathar Perumal Temple in Thenthiruperai is open from 7 AM to 12 PM and 5 to 8.30 PM