Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple, Thirukkolur

Introduction

Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple is a Nava Tirupathi, one of the 9 Vishnu temples located on the Thamiraparani river banks, along the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur route. This is located in the Thirukkolur village in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Vishnu is enshrined in this temple as the main deity, Vaithamanidhi Perumal, and his consort is Goddess Kumudavalli. The Azhwar saints have sung the glory of this Lord in their hymns, and so, this temple is counted among the Divya Desams, the chosen abodes of Vishnu. This temple is also called Kuberasthalam, as Kubera is said to have received the blessings of the Lord, here. This temple is also dedicated to Mangal or Chvvai, the planet Mars. Thirukkolur is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Azhwar, one of the 12 Azhwar saints.

Temple Legends

The temple legend is connected with Kubera, the treasurer of the heavens. Once, he is said to have looked at Goddess Parvati with evil intension and was cursed by her consort, Lord Shiva. As a result, Kubera lost all his wealth, power, and prestige. Kubera realized the seriousness of his crime, repented sincerely for his mistake, and pleaded with Shiva and Parvati for forgiveness. The divine couple is said to have directed him do penance towards Lord Vishnu, at Thirukkolur. Pleased with his worship and austerities, Vishnu, as Vaithamanithi Perumal blessed Kubera, absolved him of his curse, and bestowed him with wealth and position, as before.

The Architecture of Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple, Thirukkolur

This temple of Dravidian architecture must have been built by the Pandya kings and has 2 precincts. Vaithamanidhi Perumal is reclining in the sanctum, facing East. He holds as his pillow, a ‘Markkal’ a wooden measuring vessel, which is meant for measuring wealth. He is also looking at his left-hand palm as if to watch over the location of wealth. He is said to be having the Nava Nidhis, the 9 amazing wealth, under his right shoulder. It is also said that the Lord measures the good deeds of his devotees with the wooden ‘Marakkal’ and that they would be benefited in line with their karma, the past deeds. The temple tank is Kubera Theertham, while the river Thamiraparani itself is regarded as a sacred water body.

Temple Festivals

The Garuda Sevai is the most significant festival of all the 9 Nava Tirupathi temples and is celebrated as a common festival in all of them. The processional deities of all these temples come together on their Garuda mounts, on the occasion. Saint Nammazhwar, who also belongs to this belt and who has sung hymns in praise of all these deities, too, joins them in a palanquin. His compositions on all these deities are chanted with devotion in the festival. The Nammazhwar idol is also carried to all these temples, as part of the festival. This celebration takes place in Vaikasi (May-June) when thousands of people assemble to take divine blessings. Vaikunta Ekadasi is also celebrated here with enthusiasm in Margazhi (December-January),

Benefits of worshipping Thirukkolur Vaithamanidhi Perumal

Kubera is said to have regained his wealth by praying to this Lord. And hence it is a firm belief that the Lord can bless people with immense wealth and prosperity, wipe out poverty and want, and restore their lost wealth. This is also a temple dedicated to Mars, and it is believed that worshipping the Lord here can provide relief against the adverse effects of that planetary Lord.