Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple

Vaithamanidhi Permual Temple (also called Thirukolur) is one of the nine Nava Tirupathi, the Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu. It is located on the Tiruchendur–Tirunelveli route in Tamil Nadu, India, on the southern bank of the Thamiraparani River, 4 km from Alwarthirunagari. It is the eighth temple of Nava Tirupathi, and is named after Mars (Sevvai) and also called Kuberasthalam. 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, who is worshipped as Vaithamanidhi Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Kolurvalli.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is three-tiered 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 Navatirupathi, 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, Kubera, the lord of wealth, was once cursed by Shiva for his lustful glance towards Parvati. Kubera soon realized his mistake and repented for his sin, seeking forgiveness from Shiva and Parvathi. They advised him to perform penance at Thirukkolur. After his penance, Vaithamanithi Perumal blessed him with great wealth again.As per another legend, a king named Ambarisha renounced his crown and became a hermit. He started doing penance in a forest. Sage Durvasa wanted to test his devotion and kicked him. Ambarisha was unmoved which angered Durvasa. He cursed Ambraisa. Ambarisha prayed to Vishnu to help. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu appeared in the place and relieved him off his curse. Ambarisha built a big temple for Vishnu and called him Ambarisha Varadhar.