Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple


Sri Vaithamanidhi Permual Temple is one of the Nava Tirupathi., nine Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India in the southern bank of Thamiraparani river.Thirukkolur is located at a distance of 4 km from Alwarthirunagari.This is the eighth temple of Nava thirupathi and is for mars. It is also called as Kuberasthalam. All these 9 temples are classified as "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.

The Temple

The temple has two prakaram. The main deity has a reclining posture, facing east. Vaithamanithi perumal is in reclining pose with the wooden measurement tool as his pillow to measure the wealth and looking at the palm of his left hand to watch over location of the wealth. It is believed that people pray here are blessed with great wealth.

History

the lord of wealth lost his prominence due to the curse of Lord Shiva for Kubera's evil glance on Parvathi. When he repented for his sin and sought forgiveness from Shiva and Parvathi, they advised him to do penance at Thirukkolur. After his penance at Thirukkolur, Vaithamanithi perumal blessed him with his original position with the wealth.
The place is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Alvar.

Festival

The Garuda Sevai utsavam in the month of Vaikasi witnesses 9 Garudasevai, a spectacular event in which festival image idols from the Nava Tirupathis shrines in the area are brought on Garuda vahana. An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on an Anna Vahanam and his paasurams dedicated to each of these 9 temples are recited. The utsavar of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The paasurams dedicated to each of the 9 Divyadesams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.