Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Makara Netunkuzhai Kaadar	Ambal / Thayar:	Kuzhaikaadhuvalli Nachiyar, Kundalakarnadevi
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:	Tirupperai
Vriksham:		Teertham:	Sukra Pushkarini
Agamam:		Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	7.30 to 12 & 5 to 7.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Divya Desam	–
Sung by:		Temple set: Nava Tirupati
Navagraham:	Sukran	Nakshatram:
City / town:	ThenTiruperai	District:	Tirunelveli
Maps from (click):	Current location	Thoothukudi (36 km)	Tirunelveli (42 km)
	Kanyakumari (93 km)	Nagercoil (95 km)

Location

Then Tiruperai is located 31km from Tirunelveli and 11km from Srivaikundam.

Sthala puranam and temple information

This the sixth of the Nava Tirupati sthalams and is dedicated to Sukran.

Bhudevi, advised by Sage Durvasar, uttered the Ashtakshra Mantram and took a dip in the river Tambraparani. When she came out of the river she had two kundalams (like earrings), shaped like fish. As she had the two kundalams with her she was called Sriperai. She dedicated the two heavenly kundalams to Vishnu he got the name Makara-Netunkuzhai-Kaadar.

The Tamil word “Perai” refers to earrings, giving the place its name.

Varuna, the god of rain, had insulted his guru and was of the sin by praying here to Vishnu.

Along with the main deity (Perumal), Kuzhai Kadaha Valli Nachiyar and Thiruperai Nachiyar bless devotees.

As the Lord himself depicts the planets, there are no Navagraha shrines in any of these temples. Devotees come and pray here for relief from navagraha dosham.

The Garuda Sevai utsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) is a sight to be seen! The utsava murtis from all the 9 Nava Tirupati temples are brought on their respective Garuda vahanams. Nammazhvar also comes on an Anna Vahanam (swan shaped vehicle), and his pasurams for each of the nine temples are recited. Then the murti of Nammazhvar is taken through the paddy fields in the area surrounding the temple.

Other information for your visit

In the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January), these temples open relatively early (some even at 5 or 5.30 am), and close by 11. Some others are open till 1 or 2 pm.

We visited temples in the following order, which enabled us to complete all these temples (plus 4 Nava Kailasam temples) between 5.30 am and 2 pm, in the month of Margazhi starting at Tirunelveli: Srivaikuntam, Alwartirunagari, Tirukolur, Thenthirupperai, Perunkulam, Tholaivillimangalam (2 temples), Tirupuliangudi and Natham (Tiruvaragunamangai). Our trip was not rushed at all, and we had ample time at each of these temples.

Budget and mid-range accommodation is available at Tirunelveli. If coming down on the East Coast Road, then some limited options may also be available at Toothukudi (Tuticorin) and Tiruchendur.

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