हिंदीOn this day
Standing

Kaichina Vendhan Temple, Thiruppuliangudi

Third of the Nava Tirupati, where Vishnu reclines with a lotus stalk rising from his navel to Brahma. He is Bhoomipalar, protector of the earth, for here he coaxed Bhudevi back from the netherworld. The Navagraha reckoning makes it the temple of Budha.

Built: Pandya-era shrine on the ThamirabaraniWhere: Tamil Nadu (Thoothukudi district)Deity: Kaichina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar), reclining; Thayars Malarmagal and Pulingudivalli8.64° N, 77.93° E
  1. Alvar period
Photo: Ssriram mt · CC BY-SA 4.0

01Bhudevi’s return

The temple’s katha says Bhagwan came to the Thamirabarani bank with Sridevi and spent his days with her. Bhudevi, hurt, withdrew to the netherworld, and the earth began to wither. The devas prayed; Vishnu went down with Sridevi and brought Bhudevi back, and life returned. He is also called Kaichina Vendhan. In the sanctum the feet of the reclining Lord can be seen through a window in the outer wall, and devotees go round to take that darshan too.

02Twelve pasurams

Nammalvar sang Thiruppuliangudi in twelve pasurams of the Thiruvaimozhi, often pairing it with Varagunamangai and Srivaikuntam as the Lord who stands, sits and lies in three neighbouring villages. The temple has two precincts within granite walls and a flat gateway. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is kept in Margazhi, and the festival image joins the Garuda Sevai at Alwarthirunagari. Worship follows the Tenkalai tradition.

The life of this place

  1. Alvar periodNammalvar sings Thiruppuliangudi in the Thiruvaimozhi.
Visiting

About 3 km east of Srivaikuntam, just past Natham.

Nearby

Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Thiruvaragunamangai (Natham)Standing
The Age of Great Kingdoms

Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Thiruvaragunamangai (Natham)

Second of the Nava Tirupati, two kilometres from Srivaikuntam, where Vishnu sits as the victor. The Navagraha reckoning makes it the temple of Chandra.

Nava Tirupati, the nine Vishnu temples of the ThamirabaraniStanding
The Age of Great Kingdoms

Nava Tirupati, the nine Vishnu temples of the Thamirabarani

Nine Divya Desams along the banks of the Thamirabarani between Srivaikuntam and Alwarthirunagari, all sung by Nammalvar, and each worshipped as the seat of one of the nine grahas.

Vaikuntanathar (Kallapiran) Temple, SrivaikuntamStanding
The Age of Great Kingdoms

Vaikuntanathar (Kallapiran) Temple, Srivaikuntam

First of the Nava Tirupati, the nine Vishnu temples of the Thamirabarani that Nammalvar sang. The festival image is Kallapiran, the Lord of the thief, because he once stood by a robber who prayed to him.

Alwarthirunagari (Tirukurugur), Adinatha Perumal TempleStanding
The Age of Great Kingdoms

Alwarthirunagari (Tirukurugur), Adinatha Perumal Temple

The birthplace of Nammalvar on the Tamraparni, once called Tirukurugur, and one of the 108 Divya Desams. The tamarind tree in whose hollow the child saint sat for sixteen years still stands in the temple.