Makaranetunkuzhaikkadar Temple at Thenthiruperai in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu – Sixth Nava Tirupati Temple Associated with Navgraha Shukra
Makaranetunkuzhaikkaadar Temple, also known as Nigaril
Mugilvannan or Makara Nedun Kuzhaikathan, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located at Thenthiruperai in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. It is
one of the Nava Tirupati Temples and one among 108 Divya Desams. This is the sixth
Nava Tirupathi Temple and is associated with Navagraha Shukra. The shrine is
located 12 km from Srivaikuntam.
Story of Makaranetunkuzhaikkadar Temple
Story of Makaranetunkuzhaikkadar Temple
Legend has it that once Goddess Lakshmi was upset that Lord
Vishnu was spending too much time with Bhudevi. She complained to Sage Durvasa.
Bhudevi did penance on the banks of Thamiraparani River at Thenthiruperai and
here she found two fish shaped earrings. She offered it to Lord Vishnu and when
he wore them he came to be known as Makara
Nedun Kuzhaikathan.
Another legend has it that Varuna performed penance here for
insulting Guru or Brihaspati. Due to this Varuna had lost his weapons and power
to create rains. Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Varuna here on Panguni Pournami
day and gave back his powers and weapon.
Yet another legend states the king of region was building
houses for villagers and Vishnu came in the form of a villager and demanded a
house. The temple was thus constructed.
Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Makaranetunkuzhaikkaadar.
The murti faces east and is in sitting. Urchavar is known as Nikaril Mukilvannan.
Consorts of Vishnu worshipped here are Kuzhai Kaathu Valli,
Thiruperai Nachiyar.
The sacred water body in the temple is known as Shukra
Pushkarini.
The shrine is believed to be more than 2000 years old.
Those having problems in life due to the bad positioning of Shukra
in their horoscope will get relief after offering prayers here. There is no
separate Navagraha shrine here.
Makaranetunkuzhaikkadar Temple Timing
Morning Puja and darshan time is from
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening Puja and darshan time is from
5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
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. Another festival observed here is Vaikunta
Ekadasi in Margazhi month (December – January).