Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple

Introduction

Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple is a Divyadesam, the holy abode of Lord Vishnu, which has come under praise from the celebrated Vishnu devotees, the Azhwars. It also forms part of the Nava Thirupathis, the nine temples dedicated to Vishnu that lie on both sides of the Thamiraparani river, on the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route. This temple is located in Thenthiruperai, on the Thamiraparani river bank. The main deity of this shrine is Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar, and his consort is Kuzhaikaduvalli. This temple is also dedicated to Shukra, the planet Venus.

Temple Legends

According to a mythological story, once Goddess Lakshmi or Sridevi was upset, as she felt that Lord Vishnu spent more time with Goddess Bhudevi, who looked more appealing. She talked this over to sage Durvasa and shared with him, her wish to gain the same beauty and appearance as Bhudevi. When the sage came to meet Bhudevi, she did not receive him with proper respect. This angered the short-tempered Durvasa, who cursed her to turn like Sridevi, in form and appearance. Bhudevi undertook severe penance on the banks of the Thamiraparani river to get back her form and the love of the Lord. There she found 2 beautiful earrings in the shape of the fish and offered them respectfully to Vishnu on a Panguni Pournami Day, the Full Moon day falling in March-April. The Lord, quite pleased with her penance and offering, accepted the earrings, adorned himself with them, and relieved her of her curse. ‘Makara’ in Tamil is fish, and the Lord, who wore the fish-shaped earrings, came to be known as Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar. And Bhudevi, who had to take the form of Lakshmi and who offered the earrings, became Sri Perai or Thiruperai Nachiyar. Since then, this place, too, is called Thiruperai.

As per another legend, Varuna the rain God performed penance here, worshipped the Lord, and got relieved of the curse that he incurred due to his disrespectful behavior towards his Guru, the Jupiter.

The History and Architecture of Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple, Thenthiruperai

This is a large temple built in Dravidian style architecture. It is said to have been constructed by the Pandya kings and patronized by the Vijayanagara and Nayak kings, subsequently. The sanctum Sanctorum houses Lord Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar, seated in Veer Asana Posture facing east, with his left leg folded, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The tower above the sanctum is Badra Vimana, and the water body is Shukra Pushkarani. The pillars in the temple hall sport some exquisite sculptures and carvings. Dwajastambam, the flag mast, and Bali Petam, the sacrificial altar, are outside the main hall, while the Garuda shrine is to the left of the sanctum.

Temple Festivals

The Vaikasi Garuda Sevai Utsavam can be called the most important festival of this temple. The processional deities of all the nine Nava Thirupathi temples, including the Thenthiruperai temple, are brought on their Garuda mounts, along with the idol of the Azhwar saint Nammazhwar in a palanquin. The songs that he has composed on all these deities are recited during the occasion, with devotion. This festival, celebrated during May-June, draws thousands of people.

Benefits of worshipping Lord Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar

Each Lord of the nine Nava Thirupathi temples is said to represent one of the Navagrahas, the nine planets. And Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar denotes Shukra, the planetary Lord Venus. Hence praying to him here is believed to remove any afflictions and adverse effects of planet Venus and bestow wealth, comforts, and joy on the devotees.