About Navathiruppathi
Navathiruppathi
Navathirupathi (Temples) is a group of nine Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located on the Tiruchendur- Tirunelveli route, Tamilnadu, India,on the banks of Thamiraparani river. All these 9 temples are classified as “Divya Desams”, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhwars (saints). While 105 of these are located in India, 1 is in Nepal and the remaining 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms.
The Navat Thirupathi (நவதிருப்பதி) are a group of nine ancient and significant Vishnu temples (Divya Desams) located along the banks of the Thamirabarani River in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India. These temples are unique because each of the nine shrines is associated with one of the nine Navagrahas (celestial bodies/planets), making them important pilgrimage sites for mitigating planetary influences or doshas.
Names of Temples in the Navathiruppathi Group
1. Srivaikuntam [(Sri Vaikuntanatha (Kallarpiran) Temple]
2. Natham (Sri Vijayaasana Perumal Temple – Thiru Varagunamangai)
3. Thiruppulingudi (Sri Kaaisinavendhan Temple)
4. Irattai Thiruppathi (Rettai Tirupathi North Temple Sri-Aravindalocahanar-Temple, Tholaivillimangalam
5. Irattai Thiruppathi (Rettai Tirupathi South Temple,Sri-Devarpiran-Temple Tholaivillimangalam
6. Perungulam (Thirukullanthai) (Sri Mayakoothar Temple)
7. Then Thirupperai (Makara Nedunkuzhaikathan Temple)
8. Thirukolur (Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple)
9. Alwarthirunagari (Adhinaathar Alwar Temple – Thirukkurugur)
The nine Vaishnava shrines, hailed as ‘Navathiruppathi’ are considered to be related to the ‘Navagrahaas’ or the nine planets or celestial bodies, and the deities in these temples are worshipped as the ‘Navagrahaas’ themselves. They are:
1. Sooriyan (Sun) – Srivaikuntam
2. Chandran (Moon) – Varagunamangai
3. Budhan (Mercury) – Thiruppulingudi
4. Raghu – Irattai thirupathi ( Thirutholaivillimangalam )
5. Kethu – Irattaithirupathi ( Thirutholaivillimangalam)
6. Shani (Saturn) – Perungulam
7. Chukran (Venus) – Thenthirupperai
8. Angaarakan (Mars) – Tirukkolur
9. Guru (Jupiter) – AlwarTirunagari
These Navathiruppathis in the Pandya region are recognized on par with the Navagrahaa temples in the Chola country (Surya – Thirumangalakkudi, Chandra – Thingaloor, Angaarakan – Putthirukku Velur, Budha – Thiruvenkaadu, Guru – Aalangudi, Sukra – Kanjanoor, Shani – Thirunallaar, Raahu– Thirunageswaram, Ketu – Keezhperumpallam).
In these Vishnu temples, the Prime Deities themselves are worshipped as the Navagrahaas and so there are no separate shrines for the Navagrahaas, as found in other temples. It is said that offering of worship to these deities alleviate the malignant influences of the Navagrahaas that come about during one’s lifetime.
DARSHAN TIMINGS AT NAVATHIRUPATHI TEMPLES
There are 3 Divyadesams are located on the main road from Tiruchendur to Tirunelveli state Highway. Among the other 6 Divyadesams are located inbetween Srivaikuntam- Thoothukudi State highway . All the 9 temples are situated on the both sides of the bank of the river Tamirabarani.
