Nava Tirupathi, Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple (Thirukolur) - Where The Lord Bestows Wealth

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Vaithamanidhi Perumal temple in Thirukolur is the eighth 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 Sevvai (Mars).

It is located along Tiruchendur - Tirunelveli route in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on the banks of the Thamiraparani river. It is also known as the Kuberasthalam.

Vaithamanidhi Perumal temple in Thirukolur, 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, Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple History

There are several interesting legends associated with the Vaithamanidhi Perumal temple in Thirukolur.

Relief from curse for Kubera, the Lord of wealth

Once Kubera, the lord of wealth, cast a lustful glance at Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, who cursed him to lose the sight in one eye, lose his nine forms of wealth and roam around with a terrible form.

The nine forms of wealth of Kubera sought refuge at the feet of Lord Vishnu in Thirukolur on the banks of the Thamiraparani river. On repenting for his sin, Kubera sought the aid of Lord Shiva, who directed him to Goddess Parvati to seek forgiveness. Kubera, on doing so, Goddess Parvati instructed him to go to Thirukolur and perform penance to Lord Vishnu there, where his nine forms of wealth had sought refuge.

Thereby Kubera performed severe austerities in Thirukolur. Lord Vishnu, pleased with Kubera's penance, appeared before him and bestowed redemption from the curse and granted a part of the wealth that he had lost. Kubera, free from the curse, left to his abode, Azhakapuri happily.

Lord Vishnu in Thirukolur thus came to be hailed as Vaithamanidhi Perumal for safeguarding Kubera's nine forms of wealth when he was cursed.

The legend of Dharmagupta being blessed with wealth

Dharmagupta was a person with eight children who was in utter poverty. He sought the refuge of his Guru Bhartbaja, who revealed the truth that in his previous life he had lied to the king regarding his fortune and also did not put his wealth in right use, which is the cause for his suffering.

He further directed him to go to Thirukolur and engage in the worship of Vaithamanidhi Perumal, who had earlier accepted the wealth of Kubera when he was cursed. Thereby following his Guru's instructions, Dharmagupta worshipped Vaithamanidhi Perumal in Thirukolur and received the grace of the Lord, who absolved him of his sins and blessed him with wealth, putting an end to his poverty.

How the place received the name, 'Thirukolur'

Once, Dharma (righteousness) kept away from Adharma (unrighteousness) and sought refuge in this place. However, Adharma traced the place of Dharma's whereabouts and engaged in a war in which ultimately Dharma won. The defeated Adharma is said to have carried tales (Kol) to Kubera about the place where the nine forms of his wealth were present, when he had lost them all owing to Goddess Parvati's curse. Hence the place came to be acknowledged as 'Thirukolur'.

Nava Tirupathi, Thirukolur Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple significance

The presiding deity of Thirukolur Vaithamanidhi Perumal temple is Vaithamanidhi Perumal. The Lord is in the reclining posture on his snake-bed (Adisesha) in the sanctum sanctorum, resting his head on the apparatus that he used to measure the wealth of Kubera and having a substance (mai) applied to his hand for counting the money with the view of getting to know the places where wealth is present and in what measure.

There are separate shrines for the Lord's consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi. On the Lord's right is the shrine dedicated to Kolur Valli Thaayaar (Sridevi) and to his left is enshrined, Kumudha Valli Thaayaar (Bhudevi).

The Urchava Murthy (festival deity) is hailed as Nishepavithan, who is in a standing posture with four arms, with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Thirukolur is also the place where Madhurakavi Alwar (one of the 12 poet saints of Vaishnavism) was born.

During Garuda Sevai Utsavam, an annual festival in May - June, the nine idols of Nava Tirupathi are brought out. It is a splendid sight to watch amidst thousands of people, who gather to witness this festival. In the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September) Brahmotsavam is celebrated grandly for ten days. The chariot festival is also celebrated during this period.

Nava Tirupathi, Vaithamanidhi Perumal temple in Thirukolur is open from 7:30 AM - 12 PM, 1 - 8 PM