Sri Varadarajaperumal Temple – Kettai Nakshatra

Address

Sri Varadarajaperumal Temple, Pasupathikovil, Ayyampettai-614 201, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone: +91 97903 42581, 94436 50920

Deity

Varadarajaperumal Amman: Perundevi

Introduction

• Location: Pasupathikoil, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
• Deities: Lord Vishnu (Varadaraja Perumal) and Goddess Perundevi.
• Kettai Starers: People born under Kettai Nakshathira are encouraged to visit the temple annually on their birth star days. Known for excellence in education, courage, and humor, they seek blessings for happiness and prosperity.
• Significance: Periya Nambi, a disciple of Sri Ramanujar, attained moksha here and was also born under Kettai Nakshathira, making his birth star day a grand celebration.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Events: During the reign of a Chola king, Sri Ramanujar and his disciples faced persecution due to religious rivalry between Shaivaites and Vaishnavites.
• Key Incident: Disciple Koorathazhwar and guru Periya Nambi suffered persecution for refusing to acknowledge Shaivam as superior to Vaishnavam. They were blinded by the king’s orders.
• Moksha of Periya Nambi: While traveling back to Srirangam, Periya Nambi, weakened by age and blindness, received darshan from Lord Varadaraja Perumal at Pasupathikoil and attained moksha.
• Sri Ramanujar’s Contribution: Later built a shrine for Periya Nambi in the temple.

Beliefs and Practices

• Kettai Starers’ Offerings: White clothes, jasmine flower garlands, and ghee lamps.
• Special Herbal Oil Lamps: Lamps lit with oil made from three sacred herbs—Maruthani, Karisalankanni, and Sembaruthi, available at the temple.
• Prayers for Vision Ailments: Devotees with eye-related issues pray to Koorathazhwar.
• Nivedhanas: Offerings like Vada and Adirasam are made during poojas.

Festivals

• Margazhi Kettai Utsavam: Celebrated in honor of Periya Nambi, who was born on Margazhi Kettai Nakshathira.
• Thiruvonam Nakshatra Pooja: Conducted every month as a special event.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000

Managed By

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Nearest Bus Station

Papanasam

Nearest Railway Station

Papanasam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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