Irattai Thiruppathy

Irattai Thiruppathy Temple
Irattai Thiruppathy Temple
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 Srinivasan, Aravindalochan
(Vishnu)
Consort Karunthadankanni
(Lakshmi)
Temple tank Varuna
Shrine Kumuda
Poets Nammazhwar
Architecture
Architectural styles Dravidian architecture
Number of monuments 2

Irattai Tirupati Temple is one 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, or Alwars.[1]

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]

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.

References

  1. ↑ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
  2. ↑ 15 Vaishnava temples of Tamil Nadu. M. Rajagopalan