Thirukkulanthai | Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple | Divya Desams - 084

About the Temple & Location:

This sthalam is situated in Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu. 7 miles in right towards Sri vaikundam and 6 miles away from Thiruppulingudi. Bus facilities are available, but no lodging facilities. This sthalam is one of Azhwar’s Nava Tirupathi.

Only Nammalwar, who resided at Alwar Tirunagari, has sung of these nine shrines Tiruvaikuntham, Varagunamangai, Pulinkudi, Tolaivillimangalam, Tirukkulandai, Tirukkolur, Tirupperai and Tirukkurugoor collectively referred to as Alwar Nava Tirupati. Tolaivillimangalam referred to as Irattai Tirupati, counts as two in the scheme of Nava Tirupatis, but as one of the 108 Divya Desams. There is only one verse of Nammalwar, attributed to Tirukkulandai.

Deities: The Moolavar here is Srinivasan in a standing posture, while Alamelu Mangai and Kulandavalli are the Taayars. The Utsavar here is known as Mayakoottan. The vimanam here is Ananda Nilaya vimaanam as in Tirupati.

Legend has it that Kamalavati, a devotee of Vishnu meditated upon him to attain him as her husband; Vishnu is said to have appeared before her, and embraced her along with his Kousthubha Mani; this shrine is known as Paalikai vanam, owing to the legend that 'Paalikai' worshipped Vishnu here.

Legend also has it that Vishnu danced here and vanquished a demon by name Asmasaran, hence the name Mayakkooththan.

Legend also has it that Brihaspati the preceptor of the Devas worshipped Vishnu here.

Festivals: Two worship services are carried out each day and Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Aadi Pooram are celebrated here.

Sthlapuranam :

In this sthalam, a very big lake (kulam) is found and because of this, the sthalam is also called as “Perungkulam”.

Vedarasan, an andanan (brahmanan) had a daughter named Kamalavathi started doing the tapas against emperumaan to attain him fully satisfied on her tapas, he gave his pratyaksham to her and made here as a small beat and kept along with the Kousthuwa Muni (long chain made of beads) which is found in his chest. Since she was a small girl (Balikai), this sthalam has been named as “Baligai Vanam ''.

In this sthalam, Emperumaan fought against Acchamasaran in Imbalika park (Vanam) and finally he broke his legs and danced on him. Similarly, Lord Shiva also killed a demon named “Muyalagan” and finally was killed and danced on him by Lord Shiva. There is a close resemblance between these actions and it is said that both the gods are the same and if anything against dharma starts, they will come down to destroy it.

Since Acchmasaran is killed by Emperumaan in Maaya Yutham (Maya war, the Perumal is named as “Maayakoothan”.

In Vyazha bhagavan who is also called as Deva guru was given the seva of Emperumaan in this sthalam.

Kulam means wealth and it also means “Maargazhi”. The Emperumaan along with two pirattiyaars gives his seva in Aanandha stage and since there is a big lake (Kulam) that is found close to the sthalam, the sthalam is named as “Thirukkulandhai”.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Srinivasa Perumal. Moolavar in Nindra Thirukkolam facing east.

Pratyaksham for Kamalavathi.

Thaayar : The Thayar of this temple is Sri Alamelumangai thayar and Kulandhai Valli are the two Naachiyaars of this sthalam.

Utsavar : The Utsavar of this temple is Sri Maayakkoothan.

Mangalasasanam:

Nammalwar – 1 Pasuram
Total – 1

Pushkarani: Perungulam.

Vimanam:
Aanandha Nilaya Vimaanam.