Irattai Thiruppathy
| Irattai Thiruppathy Temples | |
|---|---|
![]() Irattai Thiruppathy Temples Location in Tamil Nadu  | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 8°36′37″N 77°58′22″E / 8.61028°N 77.97278°ECoordinates: 8°36′37″N 77°58′22″E / 8.61028°N 77.97278°E | 
| Country | India | 
| State | Tamil Nadu | 
| District | Tuticorin | 
| Location | Thirutholavallimangalam | 
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | 
Aravindalosanar, Devapiran (Vishnu)  | 
| Consort | 
Karunthadankanni,Vakshasthala Lakshmi (Lakshmi)  | 
| Temple tank | Varuna | 
| Shrine | Kumuda | 
| Poets | Nammazhwar | 
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture | 
| Number of monuments | 2 | 
Irattai Tirupati Temple refers to two temples of the Nava Tirupathi, nine Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India in 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 Alwars.[1] The two temples are Devapiran temple and Aravindalochanar temple located adjacent to each other.
The Temple
There are two temples, one a north temple and other a south temple. Both the temples have two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). It is referred to as Ketu sthalam, a location for the snake deity, Ketu.
Nava Tirupathi
The following is the list of the 9 temples.[2]
- Sri Mayakoothar Temple - Thirukkulandhai, Perunkulam
 - Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple, Then Thirupperai
 - Rettai Tirupathi - South Temple, Tholaivillimangalam
 - Rettai Tirupathi North Temple, Tholaivillimangalam
 - Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple - Thirukolur
 - Adhinaatha Perumal Temple - Thirukkurugur(Azhwar Thirunagari)
 - Kaaisinavendhan Temple - Thiruppulinkudi
 - Vijayaasana Perumal Temple - Thiru Varagunamangai(Natham)
 - Sri Vaikuntanatha(Kallapiran) Temple - Sri Vaikuntam
 
Festival
The Garuda Sevai utsavam(festival) in the month of Vaikasi(May-Jun) witnesses 9 Garudasevai, a spectacular event in which festival image idols from the Nava Tirupathis shrines in the area are brought on Garuda vahana(sacred vehicle). An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on a Anna Vahanam(palaquin) and his paasurams(verses) dedicated to each of these 9 temples are recited. The utsavar(festival deity) of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The paasurams(poems) dedicated to each of the 9 Divyadesams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.
See also
References
- ↑ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
 - ↑ 15 Vaishnava temples of Tamil Nadu. M. Rajagopalan
 
