Varadaraja Perumal, Keela Tiruvenkatanatha Puram, Tirunelveli

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Varadaraja Perumal	Ambal / Thayar:	Sridevi, Bhoodevi
Deity:	Perumal	Historical name:	Senkani
Vriksham:		Teertham:	Tambraparani
Agamam:	Vaikhanasa	Age (years):
Timing:	7 to 11 & 5 to 7	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Keela Tiruvenkatanatha Puram	District:	Tirunelveli
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tirunelveli (7 km)	Thoothukudi (67 km)
	Nagercoil (78 km)	Kanyakumari (85 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

The priest of this temple was very devoted in his service to the Lord here. However, one day, he was unable to attend to the temple, due to illness. That very day, the king of the region who reigned from Tirunelveli, came to worship at this temple. In order to protect His devotee, the priest, from the wrath of the king (had he not been present at the temple), the Lord Himself took on the guise of the priest and conducted the worship procedures for the king. Due to His benevolence, Vishnu here is also called Vaazha Vaikkum Perumal.

This place used to be called Sengani (sen=red; kani=land, in Tamil), due to the abundance of red soil in the region. This is one of the many temples located on or near the banks of the Tambraparani river. This ancient temple was in a dilapidated condition until a few decades ago, when it was renovated with the support of locals.

The temple is believed to have been built by a Pandya king named Veera Pandyan, in the 12^th century. There are several inscriptions in the temple which attest to its age and period.

It is believed that sage Brighu, who worshipped in this region, installed the moolavar murti in the garbhagriham at this temple. Interestingly, the murti of Perumal here has a clear dhana rekha (line of prosperity) on His right hand, and so He is also called Dhana Regai Perumal. It is believed that if a devotee placed a coin in the Lord’s palm, their wealth would multiply manifold. Needless to say, this is therefore a prarthana sthalam for prosperity and to gain wealth. There are separate shrines for Garuda and Anjaneyar.

The temple is rather simple, but provides a quiet and serene atmosphere for meditation and worship. The entrance to the temple is on the northern side (directly accessible from the road), which is also considered the Kubera vasal (also see below).

Other information for your visit

This is one of three temples in the vicinity of each other: the Gotha Parameswarar temple at Kunnathur, Varadaraja Perumal temple at Keela Tirvenkatanatha Puram (this temple) and the Venkatachalapati, Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram. Together, these three temples are considered the equivalent of Kalahasti, Keezh Tirupati and Mel Tirupati, and it is customary to visit them together. The recommended order of visit is Gotha Parameswarar temple, Varadaraja Perumal temple and Venkatachalapathi temple. It is also believed that praying at this group of temples has the same, if not better, merit as praying at the corresponding three temples at Kalahasti and Tirupati. Furthermore, it is believed that any prayers in the form of venduthal for Tirupati can be fulfilled here, but not the reverse.

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 Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) and Tiruchendur.