Thiruvaragunamangai
Thiruvaragunamangai / Natham
Sri Vijayasana Perumal Temple
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Thiruvaragunamangai or Natham (as popularly known here) Sri Vijayasanaperumal Permual Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a Nava Tirupathi located near Sri Vaikundam across the river Thamiraparani, Tamil Nadu, South India. This is also called as Navagraha Tirupathis because each of the Navagrahas is said to have worshipped at the temples here. In that aspect this is dedicated to Chandran or Moon.
As per legends,there was a cruel and greedy fisherman. One day he was bitten by a snake and died. Vultures and crows started pecking his body. At that moment deva ganas came from the sky and took his body to the Heavenly abode. Watching this, a sishya of Romesar approached his guru and asked him how such a bad person can be taken to heaven. Sage Romesar replied that because of his ancestors good deed and by being born here in Varaguna mangai he was taken to Heaven. Such a divine place is Varagunamangai.
As per another legend a brahmin scholar named Vedavith was in a place called Punniya Kosh.He did a penance towards Maha Vishnu by uttering Asanadhai mantra for several years. Yet he could not get the darshan of Sri Narayana. Sri Narayana in the guise of an old brahmin approached and asked him to go to Varamangai and continue his penanace there. He moved to Varamangai and continued his penance of uttering the Asanadhai mantra. Maha Vishnu apppeared before him and gave him Motcha. Vedavith requested Narayana to stay in the place and be called Vijayasanar and bless the people there.
The temple has a five tiered Rajagopuram. This temple is small but beautiful.We can see exiquisite stone sculptures and carvings in the pillars of this temple.
The Moolavar here is Vijayasanar in a veetrintha kolam(sitting posture) under the hood of Adi Seshan. The Utsavar is Vetri Irukkai Perumal.Prathyaksham for Agni,Romesar, Sathyavan.
Thayaar Varagunavalli Thaayar,Varagunamangai Thaayar.No seperate sannidhi.
Mangalaasasanam The temple is revered by the verses of Nammalwar.
Festivals During the Garuda Sevai utsavam(festival) in the month of Vaikasi(May-Jun) there are nine Garudasevai, a big event in which the utsava murthi is brought on Garuda vahana. This festivals draws thousands of visitors from nearby areas.
Temple location The temple is situated in the small town of Natham ( Thiruvargunamangai) near Sri Vaikundam.
Temple Timings The temple is open from 7:30 AM till 12:00 noon and from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm
How to reach?
It is well connected by state highways roads, and this temple is 2 kms from Sri Vaikundam. Take your car or hire a cab to visit all the nine Tirupathis, going by the local bus is time consuming. If you are only three or less travellers, local auto rickshaws are the cheapest and best mode of transport.Negotiate and fix a rate for the day trip.
Those in Chennai can avail the services of Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation which is arranging the trip twice a month on the first and third Friday of the month. They can return by Wednesday morning.
Where to Stay? There are no big hotels here. Tiruchendur or Tirunelveli which are under 30 kms from here would be an ideal place for stay
Where to eat There are a few restauarants here.Use your judgement to find a hygienic place to eat in the available eateries.
Other interesting places around Thiruvaragunamangai The other eight Nava Tirupathis are within a day's visit from here if you drive your car or hire a cab. Tiruchendur temple is a must visit temple from here.
Sri Vijayasana Perumal Temple
Meenachipuram, Natham, Tamil Nadu 628620
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District:Thoothukudi
Famous for: Pilgrimage, other Nava Tirupathis
Languages: Tamil,English
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level
