Thirupuliyangudi Perumal Temple

he Thirupuliangudi Permual Temple is one of the Nava Tirupati, the nine Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India in the banks of Thamiraparani river, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu who is worshipped as Bhumipalar and Lakshmi as Pulingudivalli. It is located 22 km from Tirunelveli. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu.The temple is also classified as a Nava Tirupati, the nine temples revered by Nammalvar located in the banks of Tamiraparani river.The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in the region, associated with Budha.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is flat in structure. The temple follows Tenkalai tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi during the Tamil month of Margali (December – January) and the Nammalvar birth celebrations with Garudasevai with all nine temple of Nava Tirupati, being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

According to the temple’s regional legend, Vishnu resided at this place when he once visiting 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.