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Alwarthirunagari Temple in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu – Fifth Nava Tirupati Temple Associated with Guru or Jupiter

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Alwarthirunagari Temple, also known as Athinatha Alwar Temple, or Alwarthirunagari Permual Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the Nava Tirupati Temples and one among 108 Divya Desams. This is the fifth Nava Tirupathi Temple and is associated with Jupiter (Navagraha Guru or Brihaspati).



The place is mentioned in the Brahmananda Purana and it is believed to be the birthplace of Nammalvar.

Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Aathinathan or Aathipiran. The Swamyabhu murti of Vishnu faces east and is in standing posture. The feet of the murti are buried under earth.

Goddess Lakshmi and Bhudevi are worshipped here as Aathinathanayaki and Thirukkurukornayaki.
The shrine is located on the banks of Thamiraparani River.

The sacred water body in the temple is known as Brahma Theertham.

The sacred tree associated with the shrine is Tamarind Tree.

Those having problems in life due to the bad positioning of Brishaspati or Guru in their life will get relief after offering prayers here.

Story of Low Caste Dhanthan and Alwarthirunagari Temple

Legend has it that a low caste man, Dhanthan wanted to offer prayers in the shrine. But he was driven away by the priests. A disappointed Dhanthan went to banks of Thamiraparani River, made a murti of Vishnu, and worshipped it.

Soon the priests of the temple lost their eyesight. A voice from the sky asked them to seek forgiveness from Dhanthan to get back their eyesight.

The priests did as told by the voice and regained their eyesight.

The murti Dhanthan sculpted can be seen on the first step of the Ardha mandapam in the temple. The place where Dhanthan worshipped Vishnu as Aadhinathan is known as Appan Koil or Chemponmaada Tirukkurukoor.

Alwarthirunagari Temple and Varaha Kshetra

The temple is also known as Varaha Kshetra as it is believed that Vishnu gave darshan to his ardent devotees here in the form of Varaha – with Bhudevi in his lap.

Festival

The most important festival in the temple is observed in the Vaikasi Month (May – June). Murtis from Nine Nava Tirupati temples assemble in one location during the festival.