Thiruvaragunamangai Perumal Temple

Thiruvaragunamangai Perumal Temple (also called Vijayasana Perumal) is one of the Nava Tirupati,the nine Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu located in the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India in the banks of Thamiraparani river. All these 9 temples are classified as Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, called the Alvars.The temple at Natham also known Chandran Sthalam, the second of the Nava Tirupatis.

Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to Vishnu who is worshipped as Vijayasana Perumal and Lakshmi as Varagunavalli.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower has five tiers. 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

Vishnu is said here appeared in this temple to answer the prayer of the sage Romesar, who performed severe penances for several thousand years.

As per another legend, a sage named Vedavit was living along the banks of the Tamarabarani river and was serving his elderly parents. After the death of his parents, he wanted to perform a penance. Vishnu appeared in the form of a Brahmin and advised him to perform penance at Varagunamangai. After several years of penance, pleased by the devotion of Vedavit, Vishnu appeared before him. Vedavit requested Vishnu to appear as Vijaysanan at this place.