हिंदीOn this day
Standing

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.

Built: Pandya-era shrine on the ThamirabaraniWhere: Tamil Nadu (Thoothukudi district)Deity: Vijayasana Perumal, seated under Adishesha’s hood; Thayar Varagunavalli8.64° N, 77.92° E
  1. Alvar period
Photo: Ssriram mt · CC BY-SA 4.0

01The sage who served his parents

The temple’s katha tells of Vedavit, a brahmin of the Thamirabarani bank who cared for his old parents till they died and only then turned to tapas. Bhagwan came to him as an old brahmin and sent him to Varagunamangai. After long penance the Lord appeared seated in victory, and Vedavit asked him to stay in that form. Another telling names the sage Romasa. Nammalvar named Varagunamangai in a single pasuram, setting it beside Srivaikuntam and Puliangudi.

02A small temple

The temple is small: a rectangular granite enclosure, a five-tiered gopuram, a sixteen-pillared hall in front, and the seated Lord with both consorts in the sanctum. The name is often tied to the Pandya king Varaguna, though that link is not certain. Vaikuntha Ekadashi in Margazhi is the main festival, and the festival image goes to Alwarthirunagari for the Vaikasi Garuda Sevai.

The life of this place

  1. Alvar periodNammalvar names Varagunamangai in the Thiruvaimozhi.
Visiting

At Natham, about 2 km east of Srivaikuntam.

Nearby

Kaichina Vendhan Temple, ThiruppuliangudiStanding
The Age of Great Kingdoms

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.

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.