070. Thiruvaikundam - Sri Vaikundanatha Perumal Temple, Sri Vaikundam

About the Temple & Location:

This temple is situated in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. 3 k.m. away from Sri Vaikundam railway station, Bus facility, lodging facility with food facility are available. This sthalam is one of Azhwars Navatirupathi.

Sthlapuranam :

This is the only temple where Sri Vaikundanathan is found in Nindra Kolam (standing posture), as Aadhiseshan serving him as an umbrella.

Once, a theif named, Kaala dooshakan, decided that he will give half of the stolen things to this God after steeling the valuables from the people. So whenever he stole something, he gave half of the stolen things to Vaikunda nathan.

Likewise, once he stole some precious ornaments and things from King's palace. But unfortunately, he was caught by the palace guards. They brought him to the palace and produced him before the king. Without knowing what to do, he prayed Sri Vaikundanathan. He explained the Aathma Gnana to the king. The Emperumaan gave his dharshan to both, the king and the thief in Nindra Thirukkolam. Since, he gave the vision through a thief, he is named as Kalla Piraan.(kallan means thief)

Once, Somagan, a demon stole the vedas from Brahma devan and Brahma asked the help of Lord
vishnu to get it back. Sri Vaikundanathan fought with the demon to get back the vedas.

Brighu Chakravarthy of Ayodhya, Devendran, Indiran were also have the darshan of this God.

The utsavar - Kallabiraan with the Gadha, a weapon in his hand and along with the Sangu and Chakkaram along with Periya piratti and Bhoomi piratti along the two sides, is giving his seva as "Abayakara Varadhan" in Nindra Kolam.

The Sculptor, after finished the work of utsavar - Kallabiraan, was excited and forgot himself on the beauty of the perumal. In excitement, he pinched the sculpture.(Expressed as the happiness and the admiration of the beauty the Kallapiraan perumaal). Because of this, a small impression is found on the cheeks of this utsava perumal.

After fighting with the Somagasuran for the vedas of Brahma devan, in a hurry, he climbed up on the Garudan (eagle) leaving the two wives behind. Because of this the Moolavar is found alone in this sthalam in Nindra Kolam.

Brahma devan meditated on the perumal and the perumal disappeared in to the earth. But the cows, which roamed there, gave the milk, where the perumal disappeared. Seeing this Brahma dug the place, took out the perumal out of the earth and constructed this temple. Since, he got the perumal, because of the cow's milk, this perumal is also named as "Paal Pandiyan".( "Paal means - milk".)
6 days of chittirai (april) and 6 days of Iyppasi (october), the rays of the Sun falls on the deity. The faith is Sun is worshipping him.

Two thaayars, Vaikunda valli and Sora Valli are found in separate sannadhis. Vaikunda valli is periya pirattiyaar and Sora valli is found after the Soranatha Naachiyaar's vaasal. The vaikunda vaasal is opened only during Vaikunda Ekadasi.

Near the Vaikunda Vaasal, manavaala maamunigal sannadhi and Dasavatharam of Sri Vishnu is found. Opposite to this is a separate sannadhi for Yoga Narasimhar in south east direction. Every tuesday, special Poojas are done for Yoga Narasimhar.

On the North side a separate sannadhi for Thiruvenkada Mudayaan, Sri Srinivasar in big mandapam is found.

Mangalasasanam:

Nammalwar - 2 Pasurams

Manavala Maamunigal has also done the Mangalasasanam here.

Pushkarani:

Brighu Theertham

Tamirabarani Nadhi.(river)

Vimanam:
Chandira Vimaanam.

The Gopuram is 110 feet height and 500 feet width, and 396 feet wide. Big walls enclosed the temple on four sides. Numerous beautiful sculptures are found in the 100 pillars mandapam which is near Moolavar sannadhi.