About the Temple & Location:

This sthalam is situated in Tirunelveli district, 3 miles away from Azhwar Thirunagari. Lodging facility (Choultry – Chathiram) is available. One of Azhwar’s Navatirupathi.

Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a Nava Tirupathi located in Alwar Thirunagari,on the state highway no.40, Tamil Nadu, South India in the banks of Thamiraparani river. This is also called as Navagraha Tirupathis because each of the Navagrahas is said to have worshipped at the temples here. In that aspect this is dedicated to Sukran.Thiruperai is also called as Thenthiruperai.

As per legends, Mahavishnu's consort Bhoomadevi was cursed by Sage Dhurvasar.Bhumadevi lost all her charm and took the form of Sri Devi. She pleaded with the Sage and as instructed by him she did a severe penance towards Maha Vishnu, at the southern bank of river Thamirabarani.One day she saw two ear rings shaped like fishes floating near her. As she was always thinking of Narayana, she wished that the ear rings should be adorned by him. Maha Vishnu appeared before her and gladly accepted the Fish like ear rings. Bhooma devi was also releived of her curse. As Maha vishnu wore the the Fish shaped ear rings , he became to be known as 'Mahar Nedun kuzhai Kathan' ( one who is wearing Fish shaped ear rings in his ears).Since Bhoodevi took the form and colour of Sridevi as cursd by the Sage Dhurvasar, this place came to be called Sri Perai or Thiru Perai.
Rain God Varuna lost his weapon Pasam as he disrepected Guru Bhagawan and undertook a penance here at the Thamiraparni river. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared before him on the full moon day in the month of Panguni(Phalguna) and helped him recover his lost weapon as well as his powers. It is believed that Varuna visits this temple every year, on the full moon day in the month of Panguni (March-April) to worship Maha Vishnu.

The temple does not have the main Gopuram like other temples. There is a big maha mandapam in front of the sanctum. We can see exquisite stone sculptures and carvings of Yalis,soldiers,elephants in the pillars of this temple.

The sannidhi of Thayar Thiruperai Nachiyar is located to the right of the Perumal sannidhi and to the left is the Kuzhaikadha valli Thayar sannidhi.

Sthlapuranam :

The Wealth (or) money will be stayed, permanently who has patience, complete tolerance and the mind to help others. These all the characters are found on Sriman Narayanan, our Emperumaan and along his heart, we can see, Lakshmi pirattiyaar.

Once, Duruvasa muni gave a pearl necklace, which was given to him by thirumagal (Lakshmi devi) to Indiran. He doesn’t accept it and gave a bad response to the Muni and likewise, Bhoomi pirattiyaars was also given the sapam. Then as the Sapa vimochan, he asked her to say Sriman Narayanan’s Atcharam (Name (or) Slogan) “Om Namho Narayanaya” – and along with the “Sriperai” (Lakshmi’s whole body) to do tapas against sriman Narayanan.

Lakshmi Piratti wanted bhoomi piratti to worship Sriman Narayanan along with her because of this only this was done. Now, as a sapa Vimochan, she worships Sripperai along with Sri Vishnu and this sthalam is called as “Thirupperai“.

When Bhoomi piratti was doing the tapas during Panguni month – Pournami, along the thamirabarani river, she found two fishes, which looks like “Magara Kundalam” (Ornament which is weared in the ears). After seeing those, she thought those two Kundalams has to be submitted to Sriman Narayana, she took them out and gave it to the Emperumaan and made him to wear those kundalams. Because of this the Emperumaan is named as “Magara Nedung – Kuzhi Kaathan” and along with him, Sri Magal – Lakshmi gives her the seva as “Kuzhi Kaadhu Valli thaayar”.

This sthala Emperumaan gives his seva as “Nedung Kuzhaikkaadha Perumal” along with periya piratti (Kuzhai Kaadhu valli Naachiyar) and bhoomi piratti – Sriperai as thambathi Samethar (giving seva along with the wife) to Sukrachariyaar, Lord Rudran (Lord Shiva) and Brahma devan.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Magara NedungKuzhai Kaathar Perumal. Also named as “Nigaril Mughil Vannan”. Moolavar in Veetrirundha (sitting) Kolam facing East direction.

Prathyaksham for Sukran, Rudhran (Lord Shiva) and Lord Brahma.

Thaayar : Two thaayars – Kuzhaikkaadhu Valli, and Thirupperai Naachiyaar. The two Naachiyaars have their own separate sannadhis.

Mangalasasanam:

Nammalwar – 11 Pasurams
Total – 11

Pushkarani:

Sukra Pushkarani

Sangu Theertham.

Festivals

During the Garuda Sevai utsavam (festival) in the month of Vaikasi (May-Jun) there are nine Garudasevai, a big event in which the utsava murthis are brought on Garuda vahana.

Temple location

The temple is situated in Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur route near Alwar Thirunagari.

Temple Timings

The temple is open from 7:30 AM till 12:00 noon and from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm

Vimanam:
Patthira Vimaanam.