Azhwarthirunagari Aathinathar Temple

Introduction

Alwarthirunagari Aathinathar Temple is among the Nava Tirupathis, the nine sacred shrines situated en route from Tiruchendur to Tirunelveli, and is located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. This is also one of the prominent Divya Desams, the sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, that have been praised by the Azhwar saints in their hymns. The main deity here is Lord Aathinathar, and his consort is Athinathanayagi. This town is the birthplace of the great saint Nammazhwar. This Vaishnava saint, along with his Shaivite counterparts, has a great place in the renaissance of Hinduism, which was being overshadowed by Buddhism and Jainism in Tamil Nadu, then. Besides, this temple is also associated with planet Jupiter, known as Guru, in Tamil. Hence, special Poojas are conducted to Guru to appease the planetary Lord and earn his favors.

The Temple Legends

Saint Nammazhwar's contributions to the spread of devotion among the people and also Tamil literature are phenomenal. He was born in Alwarthirunagari when it was ruled by the Pandya Kings, who patronized many temples and has penned several poems on Lord Vishnu. His parents were able to identify the greatness of his intelligence and wisdom, even at that very young age. Child Nammazhwar used to meditate inside a tamarind tree, sitting in the lotus position in the temple. Madhurakavi Azhwar, another saint who got attracted by the brightness of Nammazhwar, followed the direction of the illumination and reached the temple. There he was astonished to see the small child with great radiance and posed him a riddle. The child's answer stunned the elder, and he became the devotee of the divine child at once. Sage Nammazhwar was instrumental in taking Vaishnavism across to the people at large, where he was able to win their hearts with his devotion.

The History and Architecture of Alwarthirunagari Temple

This is a temple located on the banks of the Thamiraparani River. It is constructed as per the Dravidian architecture and has an imposing main tower or the Rajagopuram, 29 meters tall. The granite compound walls run around this temple and enclose the shrines therein and two of its three water bodies. The idol of the presiding deity Aathinatar is believed to be a Swamyabhu, that is, self-manifested, and faces east. The temple has long corridors, and the pillars have intricate carvings and stucco images. The inscriptions on the walls throw light on the people's lifestyle during the reign of the Pandya kings and many other important pieces of information. Brahma Theertham is the water body of this ancient temple.

Temple Festivals

Garudasevai is perhaps the most important festival here, celebrated during the Tamil month Vaikasi, that is, May-June, when the idols from all the nine Navathirupathi temples are brought here, on the sacred Garuda mounts. The Nammazhwar idol is also carried on the mount Anna Vahanam, and the verses composed by him in praise of the deities of all these nine temples are recited. Besides, the Nammazhwar's day of advent or his birth celebration is also observed here. All other important occasions and festivals like Deepavali, Navaratri, Sri Rama Navami, Pongal, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Tamil New Year, etc. are celebrated in this temple, which follows the Tenkalai tradition, that is, the southern school of worship.

Benefits of worshipping Alwarthirunagari Aathinatar

People looking for financial advancement, growth in career and education, and suitable life partners can worship in this temple and get their wishes fulfilled. Also, this temple dedicated to planet Jupiter, and those suffering from Jupiter's malefic effects can get remedy by worshiping the Lord in this temple. It is also believed that the afflictions due to all the nine planets can get alleviated by worshipping the Lords of the nine Nava Thirupathi temples.