Sri Vaikuntam Sri Vaikundanathar Tirukkovil, Thoothukudi

Address

Sri Vaikundanathar Tirukkovil, Sri Vaikuntam – 628 601, Thoothukudi District Phone: +91 4630 256 476 Mobile: 98656 28681 / 99521 62359

Diety

Vaikundanathar, Amman: Vaikundavalli.

Introduction

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (also called Srivaikundam temple and Kallapiran temple) in Srivaikundam, a town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located 22 km from Tirunelveli. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikundanathar and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli. The temple is also classified as a Navathiruppathi, the nine temples revered by Nammazhwar located in the banks of Thamiraparani River. The temple is next only to Alwarthirunagari Temple in terms of importance among the nine Navathiruppathi Temple. The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in Vaishnavism, associated with Surya, the Sun god. A unique feature of the temple is that every year on two days (in the period of April-May and October- November) Sun’s rays falls directly on Lord Vaikuntanathan. It is believed that this temple was used as a fort in the fight between the legendary freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the British in the 1800s. This is 1st among the Nava Tirupathi temple dedicated to the planet, Sri Surya (God Sun). Out of the 108 Divya Desams, it lies in the 73th place.

Puranic Significance

As per Hindu legend, Somukasura a demon, defeated Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and stole the four Vedas (sacred texts) from him. Brahma was helpless and he did severe penance in the banks of Tamiraparani River seeking favour from Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntanathan. Pleased by the penance, Vishnu appeared to Brahma and promised to retrieved the Vedas. Taking form of a celestial ‘Matsya’ Lord Vishnu killed the demon Somuka and restored the Vedas to Brahma. He also wished to set his abode as Srivakuntam and resided there as Vaikuntanatha. As per another legend, the image of Vaikunatha, over the period of several ages, had no patrons and was left submerged under the earth. A cow from a herd of the king, which used to graze at the place, did ablution at the place with its where Vaikuntanatha lay buried. The king was displeased to see that a particular cow alone was not yielding milk and thought it might have been the trick of the herdsman. He deployed his men to monitor the cow, who reported the events to the king. The king realised that the cow would lead him to divinity and he dug up the region around the place. He reinstated the image of Vaikuntanathar and expanded the temple. Since Vaikuntanathar was revealed by the cow, the presiding deity got the name Pal Pandian (pal in Tamil indicates milk). Kaladushana was a head of robbers in the region. The ruling Pandya king wanted to arrest him, but his attempts were futile. During one of the encounters, he could arrest everyone except Kaladushana. Kaladushana prayed to Srivaikuntanathar to save him and his troop from the king. Vaikuntanathar appeared as Kaldushana and surrendered before the king. Later, he appeared in the dreams of the king to narrate the events and also informed him that he wanted the king and the people to learn that large accumulation of ill-gotten wealth would be stolen and would reach the right hands. The king was enlightened and he released Kaladushana and his troop. Since Vaikuntanathar appeared for thieves (called kalla in Tamil), he came to be known as Kallapiran.

Beliefs

Prayers can be offered to overcome the impediments in wedlock, to beget issues and for good education. The devotees perform Thirumanjanam (sacred bath) to the Lord and offer new clothes.

Special Features

The temple occupies an area of 5 acres (2.0 ha) and is surrounded by a granite wall 580 ft (180 m) long and 396 ft (121 m) broad. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is 110 ft (34 m) tall. The granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and two of its three bodies of water. The sanctum houses the image of Vishnu as Srivaikunanatha in standing posture with a club in his hand. Adisesha, the serpent of Vishnu, is seen holding a parasol over his head. The image is made of Saligrama stone and ablution is usually done with milk. The hall preceding the sanctum, the Artha Mandapam houses the festival image of Vishnu made of panchaloha with the images of his consorts Sridevi (Lakshmi) and Bhudevi on either of his sides. It is believed that the sculptor caressed the cheeks of the image with his hand as he got enchanted by the image and it is seen in the image. The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two dwarapalas on either sides. This is the only temple where Adisesha the serpent, guards Vishnu in standing posture unlike the other places where it covers in sitting posture. There are two shrines for the two consorts of Vishnu, Caikunta Nayaki and Chorantha Nayaki, both facing each other. There are separate shrines for Vishvaksena (Senai Mudaliyar), Garuda, Krishna as Venugopala, Manavala Mamunigal and Yoga Narasimha. The festival image of Yoga Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha, is also housed in the same shrine. There is another shrine that houses the images of the ten avatars of Vishnu. The temple has five precincts. The Mahamandapa and the Swarga Madapa are believed to be later additions.