Tirukurugur - Adinatha Perumal Temple

Among the nine Tirupathis existing on the banks of river Tamrapani, in the down South, Alwar Tirunagari established for itself a great name and has been luring a steady influx of tourists over centuries now. It has many unique features both in celebration of festivals and the glorious part played by the Mulavirat. In addition, due to the birth and association of :he great Nammalwar here in a nearby village called Appankoil, its fame is spreading far and wide and raised its popularity to a commendable degree. The birthday of this illustrious Alwar deemed to be the manifestation of Adisesha, the Mahavishnu's conch, is celebrated in Visakha masa for eight days with unprecedented devotional fervor, when colour and pageantry touch the meridian of eminence. It is then on the fifth day, the Utsavamurtis of the other eight Divya Tirupathis are brought here in great procession to the accompaniment of sound and light emanating from bhajans. During day time usual prayer services, like abhisheka etc. are offered to the deities by their respective priests. And in the night after 11'0 clock, Garudotsav with elaborate rituals for each Utsavamurti is celebrated on a scale grand and fervor inimitable. It is at this hour, the image of Nammalvar is brought out on Hamasa vahana to offering Mangalasasana to every one of the nine deities. It is a unique occasion when piety and gaiety seem compete with each other for a prize. After this ritual, the nine deities are taken out in procession through the streets or this temple town attended by lakhs of pious devotees coming from far and near. This apurva darsan enthralls the theists and leaves indelible impressions on their minds. So they await the occasion with a religiosity unheard of, despite being an annual occurrence. The star attraction of the festival is the Alwar's offering prayer service to the nine images donning in the colourful dress of Krishna BhagaWan. The temple precincts and the town overflows with devotees and the media asserting itself in all forms offers a royal banquet the eyes, cars and souls of the visitors. It is regarded as a miss-not time by all, more than the Vaishnavate, who consider that their life attain charithartha by witnessing and participating in special programmes arranged then. The Goddess is called Adinathavalli. Govinda Vimana beautifies the garbhagriha. Bralma thirtha is the holy temple tank.

It lies near Tirunelveli, the district head quarters town and easily accessible by four wheelers.

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