Ambasamudram Purushothama Perumal Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Ambasamudram Purushothama Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Ambasamudram,

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627 401.

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 255 609

Purushothama Perumal

Alarmelu Mangai

Location and Deity:

The temple is located at Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
The presiding deity is Purushothama Perumal (Lord Vishnu), and the mother is Alarmelu Mangai.
The Sthala Vriksha (sacred tree) is the Punnai Tree, and the Theertham (sacred water) is Pongi Karai Theertham.
Lord Perumal is depicted holding two discuses and two conches, a rare and significant form of Lord Vishnu.

Puranic Significance:

The temple was built by King Parantaka Chola over 1500 years ago. The king, desiring a son, was advised by a sage to build temples for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu to fulfill his wish. The Purushothama Perumal Temple was the first to be built in a series along the banks of the Tambiraparani River.
The deity is seen in a unique form, with Mother Mahalakshmi seated on His lap, offering blessings to devotees.

Pongi Karai Theertham:

The Pongi Karai Theertham is associated with a legend where a sage, unable to bring water from Kasi for the Tirumanjanam (holy bath) of Lord Perumal, saw the Lord appear before him and call upon Ganga. A spring of water emerged at this spot, known as Pongi Karai Theertham (“Pongi” meaning sprung, “Karai” meaning riverbank).

Beliefs:

Devotees pray for family prosperity, success in business, career advancements, and promotion in jobs.
Special rituals such as Abishekams (sacred baths) and offering vastras (clothes) to Lord Perumal are performed by the devotees.

Special Features:

The temple is set amidst green fields on the northern bank of the Tambiraparani River.
Lord Perumal is seen seated on the shoulders of Garuda Bhagwan, with Garuda holding the Lord’s feet in one hand and the feet of Mother in the other as a symbol of filial devotion.
Sri Adhishesha, the serpent, is depicted above the Lord’s head, acting as an umbrella, symbolizing divine protection.
Lord Perumal is revered in a rare form, with two discuses and two conches, representing wealth (conch) and the power to manage wealth (discus). Worshipping Him is believed to bring relief to those suffering from debt.

Additional Features:

The Vimana (temple tower) above the sanctum follows the Indra Vimana design.
The temple houses shrines for Sri Jyoti Anjaneya, Azhwars, Acharya Ramanuja, Saint Nammazhwar, and Vishwaksenar.
A unique sculpture of Lord Venugopala (Krishna playing the flute) is found on a pillar.
The feet of Lord Narasimha (a form of Lord Vishnu) are depicted on a glass piece fixed behind the sanctum.

Festivals:

The temple celebrates Purattasi Garuda Seva in September-October, a grand procession where Lord Perumal is carried on Sri Garuda Bhagwan.
The procession on Purattasi Saturdays is a major highlight of the temple’s festival calendar.

References