Vaithamanidhi Perumal, Tirukolur, Thoothukudi

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Vaithamanidhi Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	Kolurvalli, Kumudavalli Thayar
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:	Tirukkolur
Vriksham:		Teertham:	Kubera Teertham, Tamirabarani river
Agamam:		Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	6 to 12 & 1 to 7	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Divya Desam	–
Sung by:		Temple set: Nava Tirupati
Navagraham:	Sevvaai	Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tirukolur	District:	Thoothukudi
Maps from (click):	Current location	Thoothukudi (39 km)	Thoothukudi (39 km)
	Kanyakumari (90 km)	Nagercoil (91 km)

Location

Tirukokolur is located 29km from Tirunelveli and 9km from Srivaikundam

Sthala puranam and temple information

This is third of the Nava Tirupati sthalams and is dedicated to Sevvaai (Mars).

Kubera was cursed by Parvati and lost all his treasures. The treasures reached Vishnu and he kept them safe here in this place. Vishnu returned all the treasures safely to Kubera after his prayers and penances. As Vishnu kept safe the treasures he is called Vaithamanidhi Perumal.

The moolava murti is seen keeping the treasures under his right shoulder.

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.