Virudhunagar - Temples

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Virudhunagar » Temples

Virudhunagar - Temples

Bhuminathaswamy Temple

Tiruchuli is located on the southern bank of the Gundar. The Bhuminathaswamy temple at Tiruchuli is counted among the 14 famous Shaiva centres in Pandya nadu. Its located 40 Kms. East from Virhdunagar, 45 Kms South from Madurai. Name of God is Bhuminathar, Godess is Thunaimalai Amman. Its deity has been venerated in the hymns sung by Shaivite Nayanar Sundaramoorthy and Sekkilar. The temple has undergone extensive renovations and the present complex accommodates a number of shrines built over time within the high boundary walls constructed during the reign of Muthuramalinga Setupati. Swami Vivekananda was stayed three days in this temple due to the flood of Gundar river in his yatras.

Andal, Vadabadrasayi koil

Godha, or Naachiyaar or Andal was born in Srivilliputur - Thiruvilliputur - a beautiful village slowly turning into a town. Srivilliputur is on the Virudhunagar - Thenkasi train route, about 65 km. south of Madurai, very well-connected by road with Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveil, Sivakasi and Sattur. The Lord of Srivilliputtur is known as Vatapatrasayi or Rangamannar. The banyan tree leaf - which is known as Vatapatram, on which the Lord rests in the form of a baby during deluge. Srivilliputur is one of the 108 sacred Vaishnavite kshetras.

The town is famous for the Vadapadrasayi temple, Which houses the Andal temple. The Nayak Kings constructed the Vatapatrasayi temple. But its story goes a long way back to Pandiya times, when moved by her devotion, Lord Krishna married the poetess-devotee Andal.. The Vadapadrasayi temple consists of three major portions. The northern portion hasthe Pallikonda Perumal shrine (Vishnu in reclining posture). The Andal shrine occupies the southern portion. The garden (Tulsivanam) where the infant girl was believed to have been found by Perialvar lies between the two.

The Vadapadrasayi temple has a double storied garbagriha. The lower floor houses a seated Narashimha idol while the reclining Vishnu idol is on the upper portion. There is a separate shrine for Periyalvar in the complex. A lofty gopuram, has 12 tiers and 192 feet high, built in the 17th century AD, forms the gateway to the shrine. This tower is said to have been built by Perialvar, father-in-law of the Lord with the gold won in debates held in Pandiya king's palace Vallabhadeva at Madurai. This gopuram is the symbol of the Tamil Nadu State Government. Also noteworthy is the temple Chariot, which is decorated with carvings from the scriptures. The chariot (Car) Festival attracts a large number of Devotees.

Every day Six worship services are carried out. The Tamil months of Aadi and Margazhi are auspicous months. The kumbabishekam for the Vadabadrasayi koil and Andal koil was celebrated on 10th February 2000. The entire temple complex was renovated at the cost of 2.28 crores before the event.

Guhanparai

Guhanparai is located on the road to Kalugumalai fromVembakkottai. A small hillock to the west of the village is called Guhanparai and the village lakes on the same nomenclature. There is a small natural casern at the loot of the hillock, which is believed to have been used as a shelter by Jain monks. A 10th century AD Vatteluttu inscription on a rock of the hillock states that a monastery Munnurruvarperumpalli was established in the name of Munnurruvar kovilpillaigal (servants of the palace).

Irukkangudi

Irukkangudi is located to the east of Salter, at the confluence of the Arjuna nadi and the Vaippar. The Mariamman koil, located close to the confluence, is a popular spot for devotees. The Panguni Uttiram is an important festival celebrated in the month of Panguni 21 days.

Arul Migu Thirumeni Nadha Swamy Temple

This is situated on the State Highways of Srivilliputur to Parthipanur. This temple is ten of the Pandyas Thalam out of fourteen in Tamil Nadu. This temple has 9 kinds of Theerthas and 8 kinds of lingas.

Pallimadam

Pallimadam is situated on the outskirt of Tiruchuli on the eastern bank of the river Gundar. Sundara Pandya , a 10th century AD Pandya ruler, famous for his erudition, died while visiting Pallimadam. He was buried there and his younger brother Vira Pandya (AD 946-966) erected a sculptural shrine (pallipadai) liver his grave. The temple was known as Pallippadai Sundara Palldya Isvaramudayar koil. It is now called Kalainathaswamy koil. The name Pallippadai has over the years been corrupted to Pallimadam. This sepulchral temple is the only one of its kind in Pandya Nadu.

Parsakthi Mariamman Koil

The Mariamman temple in the town was constructed in 1923, The Panguni Uttiram, celebrated in Tamil month of Panguni for 21 days at this temple, is the main festival of the town and its surrounding.

Virudhunagar - Temples

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Virudhunagar » Temples