Nava Tirupathi, Venkatavaanan Perumal Temple (Perungulam): Where The Lord Bestowed His Grace On A Brahmin Coup

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Venkatavaanan Perumal temple also known as the Mayakoothar temple in Perungulam (Thirukulanthai) is the sixth 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 Shani (Saturn).

It is located along Tiruchendur - Tirunelveli route and is about 5 km from Alwar Thirunagari in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on the banks of the Thamiraparani river.

Venkatavaanan temple, Perungulam, 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, Venkatavaanan Perumal temple, Perungulam History

The Lord's Grace on a Brahmin couple

As per a legend once there lived a Brahmin couple named Vedhasaran and Kumadhavalli, who were childless. They went about to different temples and offered worship in order to beget a child. Lord Vishnu, who was pleased with their devotion, asked his consort Mahalakshmi to incarnate as a child to the couple.

Thereupon, a female child was born to the couple, who named her Kamalavathi, who with time grew up into a beautiful and an intelligent woman. Though many came forward to marry her, Kamalavathi's thoughts were centred around Lord Vishnu and wanted him to be her groom.

She further beseeched the Lord to accept her soon when her parents began to make arrangements for her wedding. The Lord then appeared before her in Thirukulanthai, now Perungulam and Kamalavathi sensed him to be none other than the Lord.

One day while Kamalavathi was fetching water with her friends in a pond the Lord appeared before her and she on identifying him to be none other than Lord Vishnu and joined him. They both then disappeared to the shock of her friends, who reported the incident to her parents, who along with other people flocked to the place.

The Lord appeared with Kamalavathi and a voice announced the truth of her being none other than Goddess Lakshmi herself, who was born as a child to Vedhasaran and Kumadhavalli and that it was time for her to rejoin Lord Vishnu. On hearing the revelation, Vedhasaran and Kumadhavalli's joy knew no bounds.

The Lord dances on Asumasara

As per the temple history, Asumasara, a demon with the wish of marrying thousand women at the same time, captured Kumudhavalli and hid her in the Himalayas along with 997 others. While he was away on his mission to find two more women, Lord Vishnu on hearing the prayers of Vedhasaran about his lost wife freed Kumadhavalli and the others and returned to Thirukulanthani (Perungulam).

The demon getting to know the turn of events waged a war with the Lord. The Lord in Thirukulanthani assumed his Vishwaroopa, caught the demon by his legs, thrashed him on the ground and danced on his head. Since, the Lord danced on the demon, he came to be hailed as 'Mayakoothar' in Thirukulanthani (Perungulam).

Relief for planet Guru from curse

As per another legend, the planet Guru, who was once cursed for his lust for women, offered worship to Lord Vishnu in this temple and was relieved of his curse. He beseeched the Lord here to appear in the form of Mayakoothar as he had done earlier when he had vanquished Asumasara. The Lord also fulfilled the wish of the planet Guru here by appearing as Mayakoothar.

Quelling the ego of Garuda

When the Lord began his mission to rescue Kumadhavalli from Asumasara, he threw his glance at Garuda as if to signal him to get ready to fly him to the Himalayas. Garuda delayed the process by harbouring the thought that the Lord was dependent on him.

The Lord on his part to subdue the ego of Garuda, carried him on his back and proceeded to the Himalayas. Garuda, ashamed of himself, is said to have surrendered at the Lord's feet. Hence Thirukulanthani is also the place where Garuda's (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) ego was quelled.

Nava Tirupathi, Venkatavaanan temple, Perungulam significance

The presiding deity of Perungulam Perumal temple (Thirukulanthai) in the sanctum sanctorum is Venkatavaanan. He appears to be in the standing posture resembling Lord Venkateswara of Tirupathi and hence also acknowledged as Srinivasa Perumal. His consorts Kulandhaivalli Thaayar and Alarmelu Mangai Thaayar are present together with the Lord in the sanctum.

There are no separate shrines for them. The festival deity here is hailed as Mayakoothar for capturing the heart of Kamalavathi (Kulandhaivalli Thaayar) and dancing on the vanquished demon, Asumasara. Another peculiar feature of the temple is the presence of a shrine for the Navagrahas, which is not common in Lord Vishnu temples.

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

Venkatavaanan Perumal temple, Perungulam (Thirukulanthai) is open from 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM 4:30 - 7:30 PM