Azhwar Thirunagari Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Thoothukudi Airport at Vagaikulam is a domestic airport serving Thoothukudi and nearby Tirunelveli. The nearest air services to the neighbouring town Srivaikuntam are 24.6 km away at Thoothukudi.

• By train

  Thoothukudi and Kovilpatti are the district's main Indian Railways stations, and Thoothukudi is connected to Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, Okha and Tirunelveli. Srivaikuntam has its own station at Tiruvaikuntam, next door.

• By road

  The town lies next to Srivaikuntam on the Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur highway, about 31 km from Tirunelveli and 29 km from Tiruchendur. Buses to Srivaikuntam run from Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tiruchendur and Thoothukudi.

Why devotees come here

Azhwar Thirunagari in Alwarthirunagari, Thoothukudi district, is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. It is considered the birthplace of Nammalvar, the most prominent of the twelve Alvar saints, and it is one of the Navagraha temples linked with Jupiter.

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu and Lakshmi temples mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. It is also one of the nine Navatirupathi temples that Nammalvar revered along the Thamirabarani river. It is one of the Navagraha temples too, associated with Jupiter, also known as Brihaspati.

Legend says the child Nammalvar climbed into a hole in a tamarind tree and sat there in meditation until Madhurakavi Alwar came to him. The temple is considered the birthplace of Nammalvar, who is counted among the twelve Alvar saints.

The temple is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. Its gateway tower, the rajagopuram, is 95 ft (29 m) tall. Inside, there are 48 composite pillars with remarkable sculptures. The temple also has a number of paintings showing scenes from the epic Ramayana.

Festivals

• April to May, Tamil month of ChittiraiBrahmotsavam

  The ten-day annual festival of the temple.

• May to June, Tamil month of VaikasiGaruda Sevai

  Nine festival idols from the Nava Tirupathi shrines are carried on the Garuda vahana.

Tips for your visit

• Inside, look for the 48 composite pillars and the Ramayana paintings.
• The sacred water body in the temple is known as Brahma Tirtha.

Questions people ask