Holy Water : Tamaraparani and Varuna Theertham
Vimanam: Gupta Vimanam
Planet : Dragon’s Head (Kethu)
Mother : Karunthadangkanni
Procession Deity : Senthamarai Kannan
Presiding Deity : Aravindha Lochanar in sitting posture
District : Thoothukudi (Tuticorin)
NAVA THIRUPATHY TEMPLES
Of the 108 vaishnava temples, devotionally celebrated as Divya Desas, there are 9 temples known as Nava Thirupathy linked with 9 planets.
They are:
1. Sri Vaikuntam – Sun – Surya
2. Varagunamangai – Moon – Chandra
3. Thirukkolur – Mars – Angaraka
4. Thirupuliankudi – Mercury – Budha
5. Azhwar Tirunagari – Jupiter – Guru
6. Thentirupperai – Venus – Sukra
7. Perunkulam – Saturn – Sani
8. Tholavil Mangalam – Dragon’s head &- Rahu & Kethu
(Twin Temples) Dragon’s tail
Nava Thirupathy Vaishnava temples are situated both in Chola and Pandia Regions. There are no separate shrines for the Navagrahas (9 planets) in these temples as the presiding deity is a graha (planet) himself in the respective temples. Devotees throng these temples for relief from the adverse effects of the planets in their own individual life and also for the welfare of the members of the entire family.
It is difficult to cover all the temples at a single stretch traveling by bus. It is time consuming, expensive and monotonous. Hiring a cab would be comfortable and easier.
In Chennai, the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation runs a bus on the first and third fridays of each month covering all the Nava Thirupathy temples. The bus returns back the following Wednesday. Including lodging, the department charges Rs.1,100/= per head.
NAVA THIRUPATHY TEMPLE No.8 & 9 THOLAVIL MANGALAM
(TWIN TEMPLES KNOWN AS ‘IRATTAI THIRUPPATHY’)
II TEMPLE
General:
Tholavil Mangalam is 39 kms. from Tirunelveli. Lodges are available in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur and the charges range from Rs.100 to Rs.400. Buses are available from Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. Nearest railway stations are Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. Nearest airports are Trivandrum and Madurai.
History for both temples:
Tholavil Mangalam is near Thenthirupperai having two temples known as ‘Irattai Thirupathy’. This is considered as a single Divya Desam. The temple is situated in the midst of a dense forest. It is advisable to visit the temple knowing about the availability of the priest. Nammalwar has sung 11 hymns praising these twin temples. The temple is linked with Raghu and Kethu planets.
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