Tirupperai
Temple Information
- Moolavar
- Makara Nedunkuzhaikkadan
- Thayaar
- Kuzhaikkaduvalli Nāchiyār and Tirupperai Nāchiyār
- Vimanam
- Bhadra Vimānam
- Theertham
- Shukra Pushkariṇī / Tāmraparaṇi River
- How to reach
- This kshethram is one of the Nava Tirupati temples and is located 5 km from Āzhwār Tirunagari on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelvēli.
Shrine Location
Sthala Puranam
According to legend, Durvāsa Maharshi is said to have once visited Karya-Vaikuṇṭham, but Bhūdevi ignored his arrival and did not perform the required athithi-sathkaaram. Thus, Durvāsa Maharshi is said to have cursed Bhūdevi, stating that she would become like Shrīdevī. When the Lord takes His avatars, He stands, sits, lies down, and performs all His activities on Bhūdevi, whereas He has allocated a small position in His heart for Shrīdevī. Upon hearing this curse, Bhūdevi pleads with the Maharshi to forgive her.
Durvāsa Maharshi tells Bhūdevi that once a curse is delivered, it cannot be taken back, but she could attain atonement if she performed tapas at Tirupperai. Thus, Bhūdevi is said to come to this kshethram and perform tapas by chanting the ashtakshara mantram. One day, when Bhūdevi went to bathe in the Tāmraparaṇi River before offering her daily penance, She is said to have found a pair of kundalam (earrings) in the shape of makaram (a type of fish).
She is said to have presented this makara-kundalam to the Lord, thus relieving Herself from the curse and giving Him the name Makara Nedunkuzhaikkadan.
Special Note
The importance of this kshethram lies in the practice of Varuṇa Japam. It is said that if one performs Varuṇa Japam at this kshethram, it will bring rain as desired. It is noted that Varuṇa sought the help of Makara Nedunkuzhaikkadan Perumāl in his time of need.
Azhwar Pasuram
Nam Āzhwār: 11 Pāsurams