Ambasamudram Purushothama Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Ambasamudram,

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627 401.

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 255 609

Moolavar

Purushothama Perumal

Amman

Alarmelu Mangai

Introduction

Purushothama Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Purushothama Perumal and Mother is called as Alarmelu Mangai. Sthala Vriksham is Punnai Tree and Theertham is Pongi Karai Theertham. The reputation of the temple lies in Lord Perumal holding two discuses and two conches against one each traditionally.

Puranic Significance

King Parantaka Chola, Builder of this Temple:

King Parantaka Chola was ruling this region then. He had no issues. He prayed to Devas, performed many yajnas to get a son to succeed the throne, but in vain. He met a Maharishi and narrated his sad story. The sage said that if all the worships had failed him, there was only one option, to build two temples-one for Lord Shiva and one for Lord Vishnu to realize his wish. The king, following the advice of the sage, built temples on the banks of Tambiraparani. Purushothama Perumal temple was the first in the series. Lord Perumal, keeping Mother Mahalakshmi on his lap is gracing the devotees in the name of Purushothama Perumal. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.

Pongi Karai Theertham:

A sage used to bring theertha-water from Kasi for Tirumanjanam of Perumal. He could not do so once. When he stood worried, Lord Perumal appeared before him from a corner of Tambiraparani and called Ganga. A spring flew fast from the place. The sage was happy to use it for Lord’s Tirumanjanam. As water sprang from here, it is called in chaste Tamil as Pongi-sprang, Karai-river bank, and Theertham – Pongi Karai Theertham.

Beliefs

People pray for family prosperity, progress in business and profession and for promotion in jobs. Devotees perform special abishekams and offer vastras to Lord.

Special Features

The temple is situated amidst green fields on the northern bank of Tambiraparani. Lord is sitting on the shoulders of Garuda Bhagwan in the sanctum under the Indra Vimana. The hand of Sri Garuda Bhagwan is holding the feet of Lord while the left with flowers is holding the feet of Mother as an example of how a son should shoulder his parents. There is a lotus peeta under Sri Garudazhwa. As Lord blesses the devotees sitting on Sri Garuda, He is praised as Nitya (permanent) Garuda Sevai Perumal. Sri Adhishesha is above the head of Perumal as an umbrella. Lord Graces here with one Mother, hence praised as Purushothamar. Newly wedded couples come here praying for a lasting unity.

Lord Purushothama Perumal appears with two discuses and two conches against one each traditionally and this is a rare form of Lord Vishnu-Perumal. Conch represents wealth and discus power to manage wealth. Those suffering from debt burdens are advised to worship this Perumal for early relief. Lord Perumal graces the devotees in a sitting form. The Vimana above the sanctum is of Indra Vimana design. There are shrines for Sri Jyoti Anjaneya, Azhwars, Acharya Ramanuja, Saint Nammazhwar and Vishwaksenar. Lord Venugopala appears on a pillar sculpture. It is believed that the temple was built by Parantaka Chola. Perumal has eight hands praised as Ashta (eight) Buja (shoulders) Perumal. The feet of Lord Narasimha are drawn on a glass piece fixed behind the sanctum. Perumal graces the devotees in procession on Sri Garuda Bhagwan on Purattasi Saturdays-September-October.

Festivals

Purattasi Garuda Seva in September-October is grandly celebrated in the temple. Perumal graces the devotees in procession on Sri Garuda Bhagwan on Purattasi Saturdays-September-October.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/purushothama-perumal-temple.html