Thirupuliangudi Perumal Temple

Thirupuliangudi Perumal Temple is one of the Nava Tirupati, the nine Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu on the banks of Thamiraparani river. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped as Bhumipalar and Lakshmi Devi as Pulingudivalli.The temple is also classified as a Nava Tirupati, the nine temples revered by Nammalvar.The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in the region, associated with Budhan.

The temple is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture.A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is flat in structure.
All the shrines of the temple are located in a rectangular granite structure. The temple has an imposing image of Vishnu, a lotus stalk from the navel of the image emanates the image of Brahma. The feet of the deity can be viewed through the passage. The temple has two prakarams (closed precincts of a temple). The images of Bhudevi and Sridevi along with the festival images are located inside the

sanctum.

Legend

According to the temple’s regional legend, Vishnu resided at this place when he once visited the earth. Bhudevi, the earth goddess, and one of his consorts, grew upset with him because he did not meet her despite the fact that he was on the earth, choosing to spend his time with Sridevi. In her fury, she withdrew her presence from the land, moving to the netherworld. On account of her departure, all life on earth started to decay. The devas were worried and worshipped Vishnu to relieve the earth of this disaster. Vishnu went to the netherworld along with Sridevi to meet Bhudevi. Pacified, Bhudevi was convinced to return to the earth, restoring life to the planet. Since Vishnu had saved the world and rescued the living, he was called Bhumipalar, the guardian of the earth.

It is believed Indra was relieved of his curse by praying to the Lord here. Varuna and Yama are said to have had pratyaksham of the Lord here. Yagnasharma was cursed by Sage Vasishta and became a demon, and was relieved of his curse by praying to the Lord here.

The specialty of this temple is that the Lord’s padha darshanam can be had through a window in the outer prakaram.